robox

Sometimes I feel like I can't fix the problems on this truck as fast as they crop up, but I guess most people on here know how I feel....

#1: I recently fixed a leaking throttle input shaft on the VE by replacing the pump top with a remanufactured one from Piers Diesel Research. I put in the 3200 rpm spring at the same time. This fixed the diesel leak problem, but now my idle is a bit too high.

It's not the idle adjust screw (the cam-like piece on the input shaft isn't even touching the screw at idle) I also don't think it has anything to do with the fuel delivery eccentric cone pin, as I rotated the AFC diaphragm about 45 degrees clockwise, but then rotated it back, all with no effect on the idle.

The star wheel position and the fuel screw are the only things that might be different from before. Maybe a dumb question, but will either of these affect idle?

#2: Aggressive coolant leak from thermostat area. I've seen the article in the sticky, and my only question is... are there other gaskets in the area that might cause the leak? For those who have fixed leaks in this area, is it tough?

#3: Here's a good one... I developed a leak from my fuel tank last week. I went under and saw that it came from a place on the side of the tank where the driveshaft u-joint seemed to be rubbing it, even though this is a good 2 inches away from the tank. I repaired the leak in the tank with an epoxy/fiberglass type of kit from NAPA. Then I added a steel protector plate just in case it might happen again.

Being naturally curious, I grabbed the driveshaft to see how much play there was. The carrier bearing was replaced recently, so it's good. As I shook the driveshaft, the engine, trans, and driveshaft moved all over the place, basically pivoting around the carrier bearing. I knew that wasn't good.

Now, whenever I step on the gas, I hear the really awful sound of the middle U-joint slapping against the protector plate in front of the gas tank. That means the U-joint is moving around within a 4-inch diameter circle!!

Clearly I need some new mounts somewhere. Anyone ever done anything like this? Where can I get new mounts or new mount kits? Daystar?

Thanks everyone... (What would we do without this site?)

Christian

Totallyrad

If you didn't have an idle problem before you changed the the pump top it's probably one or more of the following; return spring in different/incorrect position, linkage incorrectly adjusted, bent throttle shaft, throttle shaft binding. In addition you could have a frayed throttle cable.

I can't offer anything additional for the coolant leak.

You definitely have motor and transmission mount issues. It sounds like the tranny mount is completely gone and the engine mounts probably are at least damaged. The u-joints are probably not long from dying because of the stress on them. In my opinion, you should park the truck until the throttle and mount issues are resolved. Do you have anyone that has some preventive maintenance experience that can assist you? Allot of what you're experiencing can be seen in advance of damage/failure if you know where to look when you crawl under the truck.

Bob Beauchaine

Regarding the high idle there is another possibility - you might have to reindex the pump to get the throttle lever in the right position to contact the idle adjustment. When I had the 3200GSK installed I had the same problem and solved it by reindexing the pump. Do a search on this it has come up within the past 6 months.

Bob

robox

Bob-
By reindex the pump, you mean move the cam-like plate that goes onto the throttle input shaft to a different index mark?

If that's what you mean I suppose I would then adjust the idle accordingly....

If I'm thinking about this correctly, the idle would initially be too low to even run, right?

CR

Bob Beauchaine

Mine idled at 1000 rpms when we put it back together and the lever was about 1/8 inch from the adjustment screw. By reindexing I am now at 800 but with a manual tranny that works quite well. I was real careful when I reindexed so I hit 800 - after a few tries - without having to adjust the idle.
I did not want to adversly affect performance when I reindexed. My first dyno run after that adjustment produced 381 RWHP.

Bob

wannadiesel

Coolant leak - there's only the one gasket that looks like a short piece of hose.

Idle - pull the throttle lever off and reindex it one spline CCW (let the shaft slip CW) and you should be back in range. The governor spring is just pulled too tight.

Sounds like the trans mount is shot. Start with that and take a good look at the motor mounts too.

robox

Going out to re-index throttle shaft right now....

Bought trans mount bushings and thermostat gasket at NAPA after work today...

looks like I'll be looking at the underbelly of the truck and getting dirty this weekend. I'll let y'all know how it goes.....

Thanks!

robox

Idle fixed.... Thanks everyone, that was easy. Dunno why I didn't think of that, but I didn't.

Thermostat gasket repair underway... alternator already removed... then it got too cold to continue.

I'll tell you something strange... I moved to small-town Taos, New Mexico about a year ago from Los Angeles. EVERY SINGLE repair I had done on this truck when in LA has since failed. I had the thermostat gasket replaced by a dealership shortly before moving (I should have done it myself, yes, but it wasn't feasible at the time) and now it's failed. Brake work and trans work was also done wrong, by other shops. (Since moving here I've found a very good mechanic whose work is top-notch.) Interesting.

Chrisreyn

when you go to replace teh tranny mounts, use caution if you loosen or remove the mount cross member, The drivers side end of it can catch on and crack or break your brake lines ( right below it on teh inside of the drivers side frame rail) Dont ask how I know....

loch

I will add one thing, look at your mount before going to parts house, i changed my sis and every parts store here tried give me 4x4 mounts, thier books are wrong, in case you dont have way back after you get it off.

torquefan

Regarding the coolant leak- make sure it's not the head gasket leaking right under the thermostat area. That's where they like to leak.

robox

Thanks for the good advice, everyone. Cracking my brake lines sounds like something I'd like to avoid... so I'll be careful of that one!

I'll update by endo of weekend, hopefully,

CR

robox

The idle adjust, by re-indexing, was easy and much needed.

The trans mounts were not so easy, but very much worth it. My old ones were junk, and the replacement fixed a few problems, including unwanted vibrations and harsh engagement into drive. I recommend this to anyone having lots of extra vibration.

The thermostat gasket situation didn't work out so well. I put it all back together, and immediately, even before firing the engine, it was leaking again. The thing is that it's quite difficult to tell whether it's coming from the thermostat housing or the head gasket right below it, and I'm afraid it might be the latter, as Torquefan suggested above.

Is there anything I can do to patch up a leak like that other than pulling the head to renew the gasket?

CR

robwil

If you didn't use lock tight on the trans mounts, loosen them up and put them back on with some high strength (red) thread lock. Otherwise you may have the same problem again.