93 Z28 now sluggish, rough, and occasional backfire?

Question

My 93 Z28 use to be in pristine condition. it only has 75k miles and all maintenance work has been kept up. Just recently, I noticed it starting to get ever so slightly sluggish, I thought it was my imagination. About 2 days ago it really started getting sluggish, and I have to give a little bit more gas than I usually do to accelerate and at the same time the motor is running a little more rough. I thought maybe it was congested or it was just working something out so I gave it 75% throttle and it backfired a couple times? I noticed now when I give it a lot of gas like that it will occasionally backfire. I checked the oil and coolant, they have not mixed so it's not a blown headgasket. I also noticed a weird smell coming from the car today, some sort of burning smell. My first guess about all of this is some sort of fuel issue, maybe it's running to rich or too lean? O2 sensor maybe? I'm not a Camaro expert or even very familiar with domestics, so I'm hoping someone here can help?

Just noticed something else, I smell a pretty strong burning smell after hard acceleration. Doesn't smell like fuel, but I could be wrong.

I know it's coming from the exhaust too, not the engine bay, since the rear of the car had the smell but not the bay.

Check Engine Light is NOT on.

Answer 1

When was the last time you checked the spark plug wires, if they are in bad shape or corroded it can cause ruff idling, after fire, poor performance. This is where I'd start for now then check the timing with a timing light if that's good then you might have carbon build up on your valves causing this. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Start by checking the air flow all through the car. This means the air filter, the screen on the MAF (usually not an issue, but I'm being thorough), and the exhaust system. It really sounds like the catalytic converter is clogged, or getting clogged. You can try unbolting it yourself and checking it out, or you can take it to an exhaust shop and have it checked by them. Either way, that is what it sounds like to me. Beyond that, it could be a clogged muffler.

My advice - get the exhaust system checked out.

Answer 3

We had this problem on my daughters' '94. Changed the spark plugs and wires.

The the distributor, distributor cap and rotors. Problem went away at that point for 5 days. It came back, and may be in the module in the distributor.

Good luck!

1994 Chevy Camaro Z28- LT-1 6 spd.

Answer 4

spark plugs, plug wires, distributor worn out would be the first places to look. then check fuel filter and carb. next would be the timing gear or maybe a flat lobe on the camshaft. if the 75k were hard miles a lot of things could be worn out or beaten to death. the car IS 15 years old now.

Answer 5

I agree with the optispark probably being your problem,common on the LT1.If you have a service engine soon light on you might want to have your computer scanned at autozone or your mechanic to see why its on.This may provide some more info on the situation.

Answer 6

Sounds like you the classical optispark isssue/problem w/ the backfiring durin acceleration.

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Answer 7

first check for catalytic converter meltdown,then check timing..timing chain,s wear out at around that mileage....then check ignition system.......are you showing any engine code,s?....have your on board computer checked.....may have sensor issue,s....then check for any vacuum leak,s,or e.g.r.problem,s.