'85 Oldsmobile "Time Machine" has NO POWER? (Part 1 - Memorial Day Special)

It's time to travel Back to the Future...1985!!
Forget the famous DeLorean...this 1985 Oldsmobile 98 V6 is THE most comfortable way to travel :)
But it's having a MAJOR problem achieving the 88MPH warp speed necessary for time travel.
In fact, if you depress the throttle more than half way, it FALLS ON ITS FACE and SLOWS DOWN!!
How weird is that?
The owner just bought this beast in Ohio, and is driving it back to New Hampshire through PA.
He contacted PHAD to have the LOW-POWER issue diagnosed.
I convince the owner to leave it at PHAD for a few days so we can make it road-worthy.
The '85 Olds only has 5,000 ORIGINAL Miles on the odometer!
But time takes its toll, and there is evidence of meddling under the hood.
Let's dust off the Snap-On Verus and use the live data that is available to troubleshoot this plush time machine. Can we get all the horses back so the owner could use it to travel back in time?
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@richard1835]

That customer got the right mechanic to work on his classic car. Ivan knows how to use the scan tool. He has taught me a lot over the years and I appreciate him. Thank you Ivan.

[@nv1493]

Kudos to the owner for buying a great car vs new garbage. Keep it as long as you can!

[@madmarkm]

BLM is acronym for block learn multiplier which is essentially long term fuel trim , this video brought back memories of apprenticing in the 90s on these now classics. seeing that IAC reading at zero at idle has me thinking that you have a vacuum/EGR issue going on, I'm interested in seeing the conclusion.

[@DIYDaveOK]

I can predict part 2: Unable to find a 40-year-old OEM MAF, Ivan builds one on his workbench. Car runs flawlessly!😊

[@johnvilleneuve7944]

Ivan is our Russian MacGyver. I know he will get it fixed

[@jedclampett6466]

I beat you to it in MAF by an hour

[@atticstattic]

...in a cave from a box of scraps!

[@merlingriffin3861]

LOL, but possibly true!

[@ehsnils]

My take would be MAP, but air leaks are always a factor on old cars.

[@adamtrombino106]

An old Snapper Red Brick would be a better tool, more data pids. You do have 2 clues. High idle, 0 IAC. The MAF unplugged does put the car into a default, limited spark advance, limited fuel control and pulse width. You shouldn't trust the data you're getting. You're on the right track IMO with the MAF, but I doubt that's the end of it ;) Neat old car, takes me way back. I've worked on many of them! Popcorn ready!

[@throttlebottle5906]

when a scan tool is plugged in, they change modes/data speed and they end up idling high/spark advanced and all sorts of odd things, especially once put into gear on the ODB 1 systems. none were meant to be driven while plugged into them. they'll go into advance timing and start to spark knock like mad, all the v8's did/do and best I can recall the v6 and 4cyl did the same thing. haven't touched a v6 or 4cyl OBD1 in many years, v8 obd1 I still own and had multiple of them.

[@Michael-yi4mc]

I loved the old GM’s from the 1980’s. Ice cold air conditioning with the R-12 Freon. Fogged up my glasses as I exited the car. Good old days!

[@kraschsclassics]

TPS is adjustable. Set minimum idle then adjust TPS to .58 volt. need to pierce wires to do this. See procedure for this.

[@guy-zx4gg]

I agree, check the TPS

[@nowayout73]

Who else had a sagging headliner from the 80s? I had several 😊 Now I’m sagging…..

[@tonymaiettasr.7340]

My 1994 Grand Am V6 (3100) has a sagging headliner. Used some 3M spray glue 4 years ago. Still holding.

[@80SWoods]

I replaced my headliner on my 2007 Accord last year because it was sagging.

[@n3ymy630]

80s?! How about the headliners in the 2007 duramax…?

[@luisgonzalez3057]

All of my dad's Buicks and Oldsmobiles. Only my mom's Buick has a nice headliner because she makes my dad take it to the upholstery guy

[@rambleon2838]

My GF went from firm to sagging

[@farmermiyagi1338]

Damn I feel old. Ivan comments that this car is a year older than he is. This is stuff I cut my teeth on. Maybe I don't just feel old. XD

[@farmermiyagi1338]

@@wesliebegay828 I'm 57 years old this year and I can still do brakes squatting in the floor and I can still get up off a creeper using one leg. ;) I ain't done for yet. Been at this since 1987, and I don't plan to retire for at least another 10 years. It's my drawers that sag. LMAO!! All that sweat down here in the south.

[@willefixit]

yea i rember thease new..

[@richard1835]

I always check the condition of the fuel for vehicles that have been sitting for a long time. That fabulous low mileage Olds is a beauty. He is a proud owner. Thank you PHAD.

[@calholli]

Yep.. I'd start with checking fuel pressure, first thing. It has sat so long that the injectors may be clogged or gummed up too.

[@richard1835]

@@calholli Yes. Clogged injectors as well as vacuum leaks and fuel quality can be an issue with any vehicle that has sat for a long time.

[@calholli]

@@richard1835 I don't think it's a vacuum leak.. because when you step on it full throttle-- it should still rev fully and the leak is less relevant at WOT.. I think it's just a fuel issue.

[@richard1835]

@@calholli Ok. Take care

[@mikesabin8568]

@@richard1835vacuum leaks dont make a car have low power

[@CedroCron]

I miss comfortable seats like this in these old cars... The new cars today have seats that SUCK!

[@billmalec]

Those seats are good for short trips. Long trips and you sink and cause pressure points. Much prefer firm seats where your weight is equally dispersed. I always hated 70s/80s American car seats. No support at all.

[@grandmabeth1533]

You are so right ​@@billmalec

[@jedclampett6466]

Read my comment...

[@Turbo_Q]

I have the absolute opposite. Couch seating is great compared to a racing seat with all that *support*

[@billmalec]

@@Turbo_Q Who said anything about a race seat?

[@lvsqcsl]

That was the first year of the front-wheel drive "C" body. (GM continued to make the rear-wheel drive wagons of these models.) I had customers with these and they weren't the greatest. Leaks in rack-and-pinion units, torn CV joint boots, transmission issues, etc. I had a customer with one and it seemed like there was always something; keep in mind, we didn't have the warranties we have now. I would just remind him of all that traction he got in the snow and all that gas he saved. He traded that for a 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis and drove that car for the next 5 years. GREAT VIDEO!

[@robertsmith2956]

I'm trying to see how much work it is to put my '82 grand marque engine in my F100 pickup. I joke with the wife it will twist the bed into a pretzel. But I have the code reader for the engine. (somewhere LOL) I remember the first time I put my hand over the throttle body. Thought it was going to suck my arm into the engine. A tree flattened the body out, but the engine is good. It gave it's life to save my RX7.

[@mtut]

Agreed, these were much better by 88 or 89. Beautiful cars, though.

[@aberobinson1]

I remember when these were new. The transaxle was the first year that GM had a FWD transaxle with OD. If I recall correctly it had two different throttle cables, one to control line pressure and one to make things extra complicated. They didn't last very long before needing replaced. I think it was called the 440T4. Garbage

[@GNX157]

If you can get your hands on an old snap on MT2500 scanner with the correct domestic cartridge and cable ends, you’ll be able to see more PID, even in the road test mode.

[@JessClearyAutoRepairLLC]

Oh the memories..... a red brick mt2500, a sun scope the size of a refrigerator, and a parking lot full of OBD1 drivability jobs. Good times!

[@mrjsv4935]

Very interesting car again, love 80's cars :) In 1985, most cars here in Europe still had carbs without catalytic converters, so interesting to see a car with fuel injection, cat and all that emissions stuff from 1985.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

My wife had an 86 1/2 Buick LeSabre FWD with the 3.8 V6. It was a rolling intermittent on 4 wheels. The engine itself was Great! The electronics....not so great. The transmission another big problem. In 1986, the Buick LeSabre started to as a rear wheel drive in late 85. Jan 1 1986 it was a Front Wheel Drive. My wife got one of the early ones complete with all the problems of a new design and released on the public! All I can say is Good Luck with this one Ivan! This car brings back some bad memories!

[@dharley189]

GM dealer told me failure rate was 110% on MAFs. They had a barrel for the ones replaced under warranty. GM says “tap test” on MAF is a valid test. Keep it up and you will learn to really dislike OBD1 cars.

[@tomtke7351]

Glad to watch a car with same/similar genre as my 90 Lesabre. 3.8L V6 I series. Mine has 380,000 miles (all mine) and it's showing its age... but still is a (SMOOTH, QUIET) runner.

[@neilmurphy845]

Looking at the engine bay my guess is that car could have 105K miles on the odometer not 5,000 because the interior looks fairly good

[@mikeafa1]

My thoughts exactly. That along with the headliner droop.

[@neilmurphy845]

@@mikeafa1 Yes that's what I thought aswell

[@jamesa8814]

Yep there is a lot of grime under that hood.

[@throttlebottle5906]

not a head liner one survived here in Ohio, even when stored in garages, the temperature/humidity made them all fall, regardless of mileage. it may have been driven in winter a low number of times or just salt mist off the cleared roadways, or shortly after when still wet. could very well be original 5K miles, pretty sure they went to more digit odometers by then. unless someone tampered with it.

[@lamarw7757]

@@throttlebottle5906 Not 5,000 105,000 no doubt.

[@KevinWindsor1971]

My aunt had an Olds Cutlass from that era. I called it Old Gutless.

[@oldbiker9739]

They were a great car ,I had a 1986 loaded 98 , miss those days of simplicity .

[@yeahitskimmel]

Simplicity? This baby is fully loaded for 1985. Full EFI, AC, cruise, power everything, shoot even has 12v sockets in the doors

[@PizzaMan-ItsaRomethingeveryday]

First series 3800 these were notorious for jumping time, hence the series 2 3800 the bulletproof non interference engine, haven't seen one like this in decades

[@MiFobz]

Omg blast from the past. I had a 86 cutlass really similar. Last car I owned before going off to boot camp.

[@baxrok2.]

Very cool project. Thanks Ivan!

[@jamesmcgraw9570]

I had an 85 Ford LTD Station Wagon. My son called it a rolling couch. The 3rd row faced the rear.

[@Malc180s]

I like John. He's probably got a great shorts and cap combo for golf tournaments too.

[@johnvilleneuve7944]

I could see that

[@billziegmond4943]

That takes me back to my 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix. I have a good one tomorrow Ivan. Volt's corvette High speed lan none of the modules are talking. Time for BOB and voltmeter to check for terminating resistors. Then the Oscilloscope to see what's killing the network.

[@richard1835]

Looking forward to part 2. Thank you PHAD

[@agostinodibella9939]

Great car and video Ivan! Looking forward to part 2!

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

I had the 1980 Olds 98, fine car. Then a new 1987 Cutlas with the itty bitty V8 another fine car. This is going to be a fun series of videos. Have to load up my pop corn supply.

[@jimbriggs70]

This is gonna be a GREAT series. Take ya time and make me happy. 😂

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

What a gem, Ivan! A true blast from the past! If you manage to get the parts, this is going to be a very rewarding project - the car does deserve it! Can't wait for Part 2!

[@OhNoMrBill-yg3dy]

Love the respect & consideration you give bicyclists when passing!

[@Brian-cr6rb]

What a beautiful car! I grew up in a GM dealership, and I'm super jealous! That thing is loaded! Right away I noticed the radio has equalizers, and the electronic climate control, well, 30 miles of vacuum hose, love it! Looking forward to a full sort out! You gotta get a Bear diagnosis machine. I remember in the service department there was a computer the size of a forklift that the technicians would hook up to the vehicles like it was a hospital, I was too young to understand it then, but thanks to you, I get it now.

[@scottmagoch5367]

We used to thump the maf with your fist to see if it would stumble,great diag tool back in the day!😂

[@mkilptrick]

I really enjoy listening to Ivan doing these shows.

[@joekuntzman4016]

BLM is abbreviation for block learn memory on those old GM vehicles. Correction, I wasn't remembering that correctly. It actually stands for block learn multiplier. I dug up an old motor trend article explaining how to use it as a diagnostic tool. For anyone who's interested in what it means and how to use it

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the video Ivan. Cool cat.

[@davidfarmer7397]

I had one just like it. Best interior I have ever own. Great ride. Now for the bad, lost a fuel pump in the first 6 months. Then on a trip to Florida the Mass airflow sensor failed. It was bucking at highway speed with the money light on.

[@andrewparry6106]

Andy from Karratha Australia..your a master tech

[@jdtractorman7445]

I miss the Oldsmobile cars from this era. My dad had a 1984 or 1985 Delta 88 Royal Brougham, beautiful car and just floated over bumps. My grandparents had a 1988 Cutlass Ciera which was a great car as well. Beautiful interiors too.

[@rogerghiardi7723]

Cool, this ought to be a good video series. Had an 82 Cutlass Supreme, and I loved that car. Wish I still had it.

[@Horatio1886build]

I love that car, spent many a day working on cars of that vintage

[@DIYDaveOK]

Those earliest FWD GMs were so problematic. I had an 87 LeSabre with a 3800 but it was always at the dealer. I wasn't into DIY then so I wasn't aware of all the details. Thanks Ivan!

[@bobspurloc]

1985 and bucking.... all plastic vacuum lines are snapped LOL... now i will watch video...

[@jackschissler255]

I want that stereo. I always loved those Delco front face cassette stereos. All of ours really pumped out the sound. And the Tilt Wheel 💖 brings back memories and those plush seats 🥰. Nice warm and comfortable, wish they still made this stuff.

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

Nice job 👍 Don't forget to get Ivan's autograph on the car 😄😄

[@cullenmiller8170]

Nice video and looking forward to the next episode. That’s the problem with keeping an older car nobody has parts anymore. I used to have old Mercedes and kept one or two parts cars around to keep them going. I was just watching Lethal Weapon yesterday and Danny Glover was driving a wagon from that vintage. 😂😂

[@GeminiSeven43]

On my mom's 1970 Olds 98 convertible the temp light was dual duty for both cold and warm temp. You definitely get the good ones Ivan. Good luck!!!

[@JohnnieBravo1]

Holy Cow Ivan!! I'm dead in the middle of restoring my 89 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo (which I ordered brand new in the fall of 88) right now !! (And documenting this adventure on my little youtube channel). OBD1,, early version, is a challenge. I get to do it Old School.

[@stevevarholy2011]

You spent some big bucks back then. The Trofeo was rare because it was relly pricey.

[@fredsalter1915]

That speedometer is dope!!

[@robstar293]

You’re famous! I agree.

[@weshawkins7165]

Oh good another who done it video, love it.

[@steveo6631]

Wow, what a small world... I grew up close enough to Lewistown, Pa to play them in baseball and football, and I now live in New Hampshire... Hey John, I hope you talked Ivan into making a road trip to New England.... LOL

[@gsudarshan7251]

Looks like the dealer has pulled a fast one on the old fella. That motor does not look as if it has done 5K, going by the shabby appearance. Normally low mile barn finds have a characteristic 'sheen' - so to speak. looking forward of you plugging away at it. maybe we can see 'wilburt's u pull it' in this episode

[@robertsmith2956]

No, that looks like aluminum rust. I had an engine with 250 miles look like that after 15 years.

[@oldbiker9739]

I hope Ivan pulls a spark plug that will tell him if it only has 5 k on it .

[@100SteveB]

Just looking at the immaculate interior makes me think the mileage is genuine. Unless the car had been stored in an air conditioned environment I would expect to see aluminium surface corrosion after that amount of time.

[@volvo09]

​@@100SteveB yeah the interior looks great. I think it's legit.

[@mph5896]

It's 40 years old. It could have 5 miles on it and falling apart back into the earth. It was bought in Ohio, so possibly a midwest car its entire life. Midwest has moderate to high humidity that destroys everything over time.

[@RichL8223]

Love the old sweep style speedo, we got to get this one sorted.

[@Bellboy40]

I had an 88 Cadillac Sedan DeVille for a few years. It was a smooth riding car also with those comfortable seats that Ivan was bragging about. It looked a lot like that Olds. My Caddy had a 4.5 liter engine. It always ran really good.

[@themainguy5050]

The vehicle probably needs new gaskets and also look at the coolant temperature sensor triggering could be causing some fuel-related issues GM heavily reliable net for balancing fuel trims. A beautiful 80s car still kicking.

[@rawr51919]

What a couch!

[@Blue89bird2]

I’ve got an 88 Firebird that also had similar issues. Went through multiple aftermarket maf sensors with various issues. Finally found a good used Delphi on eBay. Has been fine for the previous 3 years.

[@firstlast---]

That's a sweet ride

[@ChieftuckabuckawaysWife]

Vacuum leak, you need to run the old fuel out. Oh, you got gas good! Fuel filter clogged. Check control module. It's going to be a simple fix. Replace Fuse for front cigarette lighter. Great video. Air and fuel filters change.

[@grantp7975]

If there is a filter on the end of the pickup pipe in the tank, check it. Once had a brand new vehicle that would not run at more than 40 mph. Admittedly it was a little older than this one and with a carb. After a lot of things tried we emptied a full tank of fuel, removed the tank and found that the gauze filter on the end of the pickup pipe was rammed so far onto the pipe that it was trying to collect fuel through about 8 layers of folded over and sewn together gauze. All was good once we removed that. And the engine no longer ran hot due to a lean mix. That particular vehicle was a long and sorry story that sticks clearly in my mind decades later.

[@Z-Ack]

Why would it have an aftermarket anything with only 5k miles? And and engine bay that dirty.. unless it was kept outside its whole life but then itd be a lot worse everywhere else.. seems fishy..

[@yeahitskimmel]

Maybe somebody found it in 2005 when it had already sat for almost 20yrs and tried to fix something

[@robertoruiz7069]

HI, yes it does seem fishy.I would have thought that the seller would have at least washed the engine bay out to make it look like the 5,000.I hope Ivan get out a good flashlight and looks in the nooks and cranny's.i think the truth may come out!!!

[@rambleon2838]

Was thinking the same, but then I've seen the dealer tags on the key - buyer be aware! Then again, the parts cannon didn't fix unmetered air entering somewhere else.

[@johneddys2351]

Things go bad from age alone. Or possibly they thought it needed a MAF when it didn't because there was another age related problem.

[@user-qb1dg1bt2r]

B Pp

[@bearg4019]

Yours and my favorite place....ROCKAUTO..seems to have. Everything. This old car has a knock senor this car runs on vacuum...part 2 ...😊

[@n3lee]

I used to do a lot of ECM mods; the 3.3L variant was used in the Grand Am and early Grnad Prix N/W platforms. Check also that the MAP hasn't been replaced, as it's a dual-fuel map system -- (has both MAF and MAP sensors) and can technically run off of either. The VE (enrichment table) however, is static on the MAP sensor; while it used the actual calculated airflow from the MAF to determine air velocity, and therefore adjust the MAP VE table (compensate) -- It's been years since I've been in the coding for these things, though! Good luck! Maybe you too can get a "Willbert's pick a part" shirt just like SMA! :P

[@kirbyschneider4187]

Carburetor, injectors, bad fuel, intake manifold? Throttle body? I’m on the pins and the needles. Great episode!

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

Keep in mind these old V6 3.8 efi engines only made 125hp. Even at there best they were dogs. The old joke was the GMC V6s, both 60deg and later 90deg Vortec had the gas mileage of a V8 and power of a 4 cylinder; both were rated around 18mpg, but the V6s had less emissions, where the V8s in trucks were partially exempted.

[@Wheel_Horse]

Love that steering wheel!

[@francantanimor]

Adjusting VE Fueling tables with BLM data Tutorial! - GearHead EFI WEBMay 8, 2013 · Block Learn Mode term is long term fuel trim. BLM value tracks the Integrator but has a delay. If the Integrator increases so does the BLM, but the BLM lags behind the Integrator.

[@davidstleon8388]

Those engines were vibrating monsters...No balance shaft.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

SMOOTH and quiet as butter when cruising...

[@onenikkione]

Interesting case. About 6 years ago I drove one from Cleveland Ohio area to Michigan. That car rode nice on the freeway, I was selling it for our brother-n-law.

[@jedclampett6466]

I have those very same bucket seats from an '84 grafted into my '71 F250 highboy. Mine are the copper colored

[@RickTrajan]

A lot of people are waiting for this it seems

[@frankd.brennan6520]

There's an old quick check on the ecm. Take it out and leave it plugged in and smack it a little bit, but I doubt if that's the problem. Lots of inferior electrical connections and wiring back then. Not to mention the design and distributor/coil. Don't forget GM grounds lol. Worst case he doesn't need an echeck anymore. I would guess fuel /air, but I will be looking forward to part 2 and possibly 3 and 4 and lol. Lots of shenanigans with odometers also. The 4 bangers from GM were famous for head gaskets. Those had metal gas tanks? Lots of junk from the factory in the late 70s and well into the 80s. Air pump and egr valve's were also common problems. Let us know how much time it took and i mean all of the time! Not just actually diagnosis and fix time

[@TheWilber09]

Sure looks like that engine bay has 105k, or 205k on it. But the interior looks so good. Although I had a 1991 olds that had 274k on it, ran perfect and had a basically flawless interior.

[@oldbiker9739]

they did have problems with the ignition modules under the cap all so the advance wires under the cap would break in cold weather when moving back and forth .

[@danpikulski1624]

About 2 min into the video I thought the same thing. Changed several hundreds of them over the years. Be interesting to see how he diagnoses this one.

[@scottmagoch5367]

Didn't see a vac advance that would move the pick up coil

[@stuartcookie133]

@@scottmagoch5367 Exactly right. pick up is stationary.

[@oldbiker9739]

@@scottmagoch5367 , they had advance weights and springs in them

[@scottmagoch5367]

@@oldbiker9739 the advance weights/springs move the reluctor not the pickup coil. Not sure if this is a ESC distributor,if so the ecu controls spark advance

[@knowone6214]

YAY.....something I can relate to.....old and not so bad compared to the new salvage out there

[@80SWoods]

I have to wonder what happened not long after the car was originally purchased to cause it to stop being driven (assuming the mileage is accurate). Since it’s an Oldsmobile, I can imagine someone buying it, driving it very minimally for a year or two, and then going into a nursing home and the car sitting for decades.

[@rimtrim]

GM parts information gives these numbers for the 1985 MAF sensor: 25007539 "RPO WF4" and 25007652 "exc. RPO WF4". Both are available NOS on eBay. I've heard these early models had a lot of trouble with the MAF sensors, so even the correct part may not work very well. I owned a 1990 Delta 88 for years, and it had a Hitachi MAF sensor that was a totally different design

[@dieselchevette]

Ivan, great video! I wish i could have loaned you my 1990ish otc scan tool with the gm carts and little lcd screen for this diag. It shows quite a few data pids your verus is not showing on these 3.8s. These early cars usually had a switch for the fan, the ecm sensor, and a switch for the light or 1 sensor and everything including the lamp was driven by the ecm. I forget what year gm did what in. In any case, I cant wait to see where this goes. My 88 lesabre with the 3800 had a similar issue. For it, it was the coolant temp sensor, MAF, coilpack, and finally a major cooling system flush to get even flow back into the heads. Ran mint!

[@robbflynn4325]

I sense a couple of Russian fixes coming up.😂 Mum and Dad bought one of these in the mid 80's. Looked beautiful in it's shiny black paint, but I recall it felt relatively slow despite having a 6 cylinder engine, but like you said, Ivan, it was like sitting in your favorite armchair, it was a very comfortable ride.

[@Sandmansa]

This brings back some memories. I used to have Oldsmobile like that. But mine was an 87 Delta 88 Royal Brougham. Picked it up for $450 back in 2005. It barely ran or stop. But the rest of the car looked mint. I just needed a cheap car to kick around in for a little while and this just fit the bill. It made a terrible rattle noise at idle. I knew exactly what the problem was, but the guy I got it from honestly thought the engine was shot. I replaced the broken harmonic balancer. As well as the plugs, wires and coils, brake pads, rotors and tires. Oh, and a pair of front sway bar links. I drove that car for 5 trouble free years after that. Wound up selling it in 2010 for $2,000. I kind of wish I never sold it.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Amazing!

[@robertmoura7546]

Yes a very smooth luxury car to drive, worked on so many of them back in Toronto, there is Olds 98 and Olds 88 too, BLM stands for Block Learn Memory

[@happyone2579]

hey ivan ,love the videos . and believe it or not ebay mikes obsolete auto parts has got 3 nos factory delco mass airflow sensors brandy new ,who would have thought .lol im sure by now you may have found it all ready ,

[@carlformsma8075]

They are the best one to keep along time, way better then new ones they make now ,and worse.

[@325xitgrocgetter]

A couple of years ago, I had a Buick LaCrosse with the 3800 that would surge and buck. One shop replaced the MAF and it drove marginally better. I got a second opinion from another shop and said the replacement MAF was aftermarket and suggested an OEM AC Delco unit...which fixed the issue. When I was a freshman at a Junior College, fall 1984...a new 1985 Olds 98 was delivered to the college's auto tech program. From what I remembered, the car was donated to the school so the students could learn diagnostic testing on the then new computer systems. Almost 40 years later, I'm surprised how much data you could extract from that car using a modern diagnostic reader.

[@davidkasperek3907]

I agree a diagnostic tool from the same era would be helpful. Call Eric from SMA, he might have one. 😉

[@allencrider]

I once had a 1986 Chevy Citation and it had a bue interior like this Oldsmobile.

[@greggc8088]

Ha. Going back to work on those pre OBD II cars will make one appreciate all the data given on OBD II. Makes it tough to diag when you have to have to check data manually with a meter at the sensor or ECM. I suppose a break out box could help. Not sure about something that old, but on many newer vehicles I've noticed it usually takes 2 or 3 MAF's before finding one that will work. I just watch the GPS to see which one works as it should. Pretty much the same with some distributors too.

[@GooseYArd]

This would have made a great Vice-Grip Garage Tie-in episode

[@big2868]

I had a low milage "1985 Park Avenue Select 60" It developed an issue with the torque converter and would buck at highway speeds! This video also brought to mind many other issues I had with the same car including a clogged catalytic converter. It got red hot one night on the freeway. I had never been stranded until I bought this lemon of a car. The very next day I traded it in and drove Cadillacs worry free for the next 30+ years. I personally think that the 3800 engine was way overrated!

[@mrpbright]

I worked on drivability issues on these when they were new. any stalling or power issue the first thing you do is tap the airflow sensor with a screwdriver on the square part. if it caughs or dies you have exited diagnostic mode. the ones that werent the maf were almost always burnt plug wire ends. (remove from plug and look for charcoal in boot end).

[@davidgrisco1939]

Just started watching...my initial guess is EGR / vacuum issues.

[@hugh007]

I had a Caddy with one of those distributors. Same intermittent power. Turned out to be the braided wires from the distributor reluctor pickup coil. It moves under different vacuum conditions and opened up under certain conditions. That fixed it. Thanks.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

How late were they using a vacuum diaphragm to modualte the ignition timing? I would have thought that they would use the crank position sensor and MAP sensor to derive all of the speed-load data to derive proper spark timing, even with a distributor.

[@hugh007]

It was a 79, so it was vacuum operated. I don't know if it changed by 85.😊​@@gregorymalchuk272

[@robertbruneau112]

These were pretty good cars Alot of people fiddling with stuff caused alot of problems, throttle angle, min idle etc.. Did alot of tcc sols., tps, Solid chassis for sure

[@Michael-yi4mc]

I had a new 1989 LeSabre. It also stumbles as you accelerate from 25 mph. It was the EGR that was bad. I counted the number of flashes of the check engine light.

[@ppeterson9359]

We drove an ‘80 Cutlass until ~’91. It was the last of the old-school, RWD, carbureted cars we had. This ‘85 seems pretty modern in comparison.

[@flatdaddio]

Awesome!! Love the holiday video series!! Vaccuum leak? Why is the idle so high? Something with the advance? Very cool!

[@brianw8963]

I lost my taste for shoe leather so I will refrain from armchair diagnostics on this one. I hope the old boy got a really super great deal on it. Should be a great history lesson none the less. 👍👍🇺🇸

[@MrThesin]

Gotta be honest here...kinda looks like 105K+ power washed engine bay...

[@matth5309]

I agree. I remember when Ivan posted the teaser pictures for this…the driver’s seat has that single sided lean back caused by the driver fishing his wallet out when seated repeatedly over time.

[@subzeromjc]

Ivan didn't want to rain on dudes parade and thats fine.