1997 Chevy Astro Van

Hello,

A while back I had posted a message about my van, when ever it would get moisture in the air or rain and snow, my Van would act as if it were flooded and it would miss severely. On of the reply's that I got told me to do a tune up and change the plug wires and the cap. I did this and yes it was really bad. But the other day it was moist again and it acted up again. Now I'm at a loss for what to do next.

Is there any any out there that has experienced the same thing in an area that gets moisture often? If so what could be causing it?

Please let me know, thanks.

Reply to
Ronald Bean
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I also have a 97 Astro.

Did you use Silicone Dielectric grease for the spark plug wire boot ends before placing onto spark plugs?

Due to the exact fit AC Delco Distributor Cap, AC Delco Rotor, and AC Delco Wire Set are all very expensive dealer installed, I have been told as a d-i-y to be especially careful not to purchase any of the aftermarket wire sets.

Reply to
charge

I have installed aftermarket wires for a number of years on GM vehicals. I perfer to use Accel brand spark plug wires, and make custom wires for cars & trucks I install them on. When I had my 87 Astro I was running an excessive wire for it. 8.8 MM veriboot wires, with Spiral cores. This actually helped with the #4 cylinders problem with fouling plugs. Not to mention the longer boots put the wires further out from the exhaust manifolds. The stock wires had a problem with burn thru on Cylinders #2 & #4.

I also use Accel Cap & Rotor kits, when availible. Other then that I only use AC-Delco ignition parts on GM cars. Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

Charge.

My yahoo mail fritzed out and deleated the mail when my reply failed. since I had copied it to word, Ill just post it here.

you worte to me: Charles

*You had posted a request for a answer for :a 97 *Astro drivability problem not a 87 Astro. For what it is *worth I used to own a 85 Astro.I had tuned it once with *aftermarket parts and afterward it had no problems.

I mentioned my 87 Astro as it was a non stock vehical when I parted it out. While some have speculated as to what I did to it, that's a trade secret. Lets just leave it at sub 15 second 1/4 mile times. When it was less then 3 years old it had aftermarket parts on and in the engine.

*I didn't mention in my previous post about using AC-*Delco Platinum spark plugs.

I do not like platinum tipped spark plugs. I Brass or Copper core with a the same for the electrode would be best. For Preformance applications I side cut the ground electrode/prong. I also Index the plugs. That is billed at 1 hour per plug for that service.

*On my previous post, I stated briefly my experience on *this issue as a Astro owner and not 35 years as a *wholesale automotive parts vendor. A GM Service *Department Manager at another dealership had *mentioned about problems with aftermarket wire sets *which I tried to explain simply without a long *dissertation. That person mentioned correcting the *problem by using the exact fit AC Delco wire set *seemed to be the solution.

I have bought all of two sets of AC-Delco exact fit replacement wires. Not only did they not fit as well as the orginals, in both cases I have wire burn thru from wires being too long and touching exhaust manifolds. I would rather make a set of wires, that fit properly for a customer then install wires that do not. I also do not like thin wires. Good spark is key to keeping high milage cars burning clean, as well as winning races.

I used to buy Accel wire by the Spool. Then buy bulk Terminals and boots. Then with my crimping dies in my vice, and a hammer, custom make wire sets. A fully custom fit set of wires by me is billed at $150, with a 5 year warrantee.

*There are a few differences between the 1997 and 1987 *Astros. The 97 has the 4.3L Vortec Engine with *improved performance. The 87 is probably the first year *for the 4.3L Throttle Body Fuel Injection.

Actually 1986 was. Erly 1986 models may have a carburator. 1985's did. MPI/TPI came out in Astro RWDs in late 1994 or 1995. I parted out a 94 Asto RWD that was TBI.

As for the differances, a counter ballance shaft in later motors, different injection parts, and intake manifold. different heads. Same block till the counter balance blocks came out. Even then you can use an old block and have more vibrations. You can even use the aluminum parts counter block.

I used the 87 example, since the engine bay has not changed in the body shell. Astro's have very little room to service.

*I had a miss and had the throttle body cleaned and a *100,000 mile tune-upservice performed on my 97 Astro *at a Chevrolet Dealership with exact *fit AC-Delco parts Fall of 2003.

The dealership is the last place I am going to take a high milage out of warantee older vehical. As a parts wholesaler you can go to the parts department and get the parts from them for around 30% of retail roughtly.

*Presently, I now have about 115,500 miles and have *had no problems.

Mine went over 300K miles.

*I remember looking at the Accel tune up parts and *decided they weren't for me due to only being spec'd for *a S10 with a 4.3L.

Well then I don't think you should brag about being a parts wholesale person with 35 years under your belt. Since that distributor cap, AC Delco Part Number D328A fits:

1995 to 2004 S-trucks (ALL 4.3) 1996 to 2004 Astro 1996 to 2004 C/K 4.3, Full Size Van 1996 to 1999 P-body/Chassis Van

Took me all of 3 minutes to cross referance that data. Not to mention S-trucks had near identiacl 4.3's to astro's every year. Only Full size G & P vans, and C/K trucks differ. Charles I saw a guy sell a car part once.

Reply to
Charles Bendig

in article BCB9B9D3.1FFCF% snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.net, Ronald Bean at snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.net wrote on 5/1/04 8:32 PM:

I had the codes checked and it said that I was too rich on Bank 1, with is a O2 sensor problem. Now they tell me.

Reply to
Ronald Bean

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