1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO maintenance

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 570
Switch (TVS). The electrical type, cons
ists of a ceramic grid located under the
base of the carburetor.
A check of the operation should be made at regular maintenance intervals.
TESTING
VACUUM SERVO TYPE 1. With the engine cold, observe the posit ion of the actuator arm. Start the
engine. The arm should move toward the diaphragm (closing the valve).
2. If the arm does not move, remove the hose and check for vacuum. If still
no vacuum, remove the top hose from the TVS switch and check for
vacuum.
3. If vacuum is present in the top hose, replace the TVS switch.
4. If vacuum is present at the actuator and it does not move, try to free the
valve. If the valve cannot be freed, it must be replaced.
ELECTRICAL TYPE 1. Turn the ignition ON with the engine co ld and probe both terminals of the
heater switch connector with a test light.
• If 1 wire has power, replace the heater switch.
• If neither wire has power, repai r the ignition circuit.
• If both wires have power, probe the pink wire at the heater
connector (if no power, repair the c onnector of the heater switch).
2. If power exists at the pink wire , disconnect the heater connector and
connect a tester across the harness terminal. If no power, repair the
ground wire; if power exists, check the resistance of the heater.
3. If heater is over 3 ohm s, replace the heater. If under 3 ohms, replace the
connector, start the engine (operate to normal temperature) and probe
the pink wire. If no power, the system is OK; if power exists, replace the
heater switch.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
VACUUM SERVO TYPE 1. Disconnect the vacuum hose at the EFE.
2. Remove exhaust pipe to manifold nuts.
3. Remove the crossover pipe. Complete removal is not always necessary.
4. Remove the EFE valve.
To install: 5. Position the EFE valve into place.
6. Install the crossover pipe.
7. Install the exhaust pi pe to manifold nuts.
8. Connect the vacuum hose at the EFE.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 581

Fig. 1: Coolant temperature sensor. The in take air temperature sensor is similar
in appearance
IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE
OPERATION
Engine idle speeds are controlled by the ECM through the IAC valve mounted
on the throttle body. The ECM sends volt age pulses to the IAC motor windings
causing the IAC motor shaft and pintle to move IN or OUT a given distance
(number of steps) for each pulse (called counts). The movement of the pintle
controls the airflow around the throttle plat e, which in turn, controls engine idle
speed. IAC valve pintle position counts ca n be observed using a scan tool. Zero
counts correspond to a fully closed passage, while 140 counts or more
corresponds to full flow.
Idle speed can be categorized in 2 ways : actual (controlled) idle speed and
minimum idle speed. Contro lled idle speed is obtained by the ECM positioning
the IAC valve pintle. Resulting idle speed is determined by total air fl\
ow
(IAC/passage + PCV + throttle valve + ca librated vacuum leaks). Controlled idle
speed is specified at normal operating c onditions, which consists of engine
coolant at normal operating temper ature, air conditioning compressor OFF,
manual transmission in neutral or automatic transmission in D.
Minimum idle air speed is set at t he factory with a stop screw. This setting
allows a certain amount of air to bypas s the throttle valves regardless of IAC
valve pintle positioning. A co mbination of this air flow and IAC pintle positioning
allows the ECM to control engine idle speed. During normal engine idle
operation, the IAC valve pintle is positioned a calibrated number of steps
(counts) from the seat. No adjustment is required during routine maintenance.
Tampering with the minimum idle speed adjustment may result in premature
failure of the IAC valve or imprope rly controlled engine idle operation.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 626
ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND TUNE-UP

TUNE-UP PROCEDURES
In order to extract the full measure of performance and economy from your
engine it is essential that it is properly tuned at regul ar intervals. A regular tune-
up will keep your Camaro's engine running smoothly and will prevent the
annoying breakdowns and poor perform ance associated with an untuned
engine.
A complete tune-up should be performed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). This
interval should be halved if the car is operated under severe conditions such as
trailer towing, prolonged idling, start-and- stop driving, or if starting or running
problems are noticed. It is assumed that the routine maintenance described in
General Information & Maintenance has been kept up, as this will have a
decided effect on the result s of a tune-up. All of the applicable steps of a tune-
up should be followed in order, as the result is a cumulative one.
If the specifications on the underhoo d tune-up sticker in the engine
compartment of your car disagree with th e "Tune-Up Specifications" chart in this
Section, the figures on the sticker must be used. The sticker often reflects
changes made during t he production run.
SPARK PLUGS
A typical spark plug consists of a metal shell surrounding a ceramic insulator. A
metal electrode extends downward through the center of the insulator and
protrudes a small distance. Located at the end of the plug and attached to the
side of the outer metal shell is the side el ectrode. The side electrode bends in at
a 90 angle so that its tip is just pas t and parallel to the tip of the center
electrode. The distance between these two electrodes (measured in
thousandths of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter) is called the spark plug
gap.
The spark plug does not pr oduce a spark, but instead provides a gap across
which the current can arc. The coil produces anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000
volts (depending on the type and application) which travels through the wires to
the spark plugs. The current passes along the center electrode and jumps the
gap to the side electrode, and in doing so, ignites the air/fuel mixture in the
combustion chamber.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 760
GENERAL INFORMATION & MAINTENANCE

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION
The introductory part of this repair gui de is intended to help you learn more
about the inner workings of your Camaro while saving you money on its upkeep
and operation.
The beginning of the repair guide will likely be referred to the most, since that is
where you will find information for maintenance and tune-up. The other
information deals with the more complex systems of your vehicle. Systems
(from engine through brakes) are covered to the extent that the average do-it-
yourselfer can attempt. This repair guide will not explain such things as
rebuilding a differential because the ex pertise required and the special tools
necessary make this uneconomical. It will, however, give you detailed
instructions to help you change your own brake pads and shoes, replace spark
plugs, and perform many more jobs that can save you money and help avoid
expensive problems.
A secondary purpose of this repair guide is a reference for owners who want to
understand their vehicle and/or their mechanics better.
WHERE TO BEGIN
Before removing any bolts, read through t he entire procedure. This will give you
the overall view of what tools and supplies will be required. So read ahead and
plan ahead. Each operation should be approached logically and all procedures
thoroughly understood before attempting any work.
If repair of a component is not considered practical, we tell you how to remove
the part and then how to insta ll the new or rebuilt replacement. In this way, you
at least save labor costs.
AVOIDING TROUBLE
Many procedures in this repair guide r equire you to "label and disconnect ..." a
group of lines, hoses or wires. Don't be think you can remember where
everything goes - you won't. If you hook up va cuum or fuel lines incorrectly, the
vehicle may run poorly, if at all. If you hook up electrical wiring incorrectly, you
may instantly learn a very expensive lesson.
You don't need to know the proper name for each hose or line. A piece of
masking tape on the hose and a piece on its fitting will allow you to assign your
own label. As long as you remember your own code, the lines can be
reconnected by matching your tags. Re member that tape will dissolve in
gasoline or solvents; if a part is to be washed or cleaned, use another method
of identification. A permanent felt-tipped marker or a metal scribe can be very
handy for marking metal parts. Remove any tape or paper labels after
assembly.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 761
MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR?
Maintenance includes routine inspecti
ons, adjustments, and replacement of
parts which show signs of normal wear . Maintenance compensates for wear or
deterioration. Repair implies that someth ing has broken or is not working. A
need for a repair is often caused by lack of maintenance. for example: draining
and refilling automatic transmission fl uid is maintenance recommended at
specific intervals. Failure to do this can shorten the life of the
transmission/transaxle, requiring very expen sive repairs. While no maintenance
program can prevent items from eventually breaking or wearing out, a general
rule is true: MAINTENANCE IS CHEAPER THAN REPAIR.
Two basic mechanic's rules should be mentioned here. First, whenever the left
side of the vehicle or engine is refe rred to, it means the driver's side.
Conversely, the right side of the vehi cle means the passenger's side. Second,
screws and bolts are removed by turn ing counterclockwise, and tightened by
turning clockwise unless specifically noted.
Safety is always the most important rule. Constantly be aware of the dangers
involved in working on an automobile and take the proper precautions. Please
refer to the information in this se ction regarding SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
SAFELY and the SAFETY NOTICE on the acknowledgment page.
AVOIDING THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES
Pay attention to the instructions prov ided. There are 3 common mistakes in
mechanical work:
1. Incorrect order of assembly, di sassembly or adjustment. When taking
something apart or putting it toget her, performing steps in the wrong
order usually just costs you ex tra time; however, it CAN break
something. Read the entire proc edure before beginning. Perform
everything in the order in which the instructions say you should, even if
you can't see a reason for it. When you' re taking apart something that is
very intricate, you might want to draw a picture of how it looks when
assembled in order to make sure you get everything back in its proper
position. When making adjustments, per form them in the proper order.
One adjustment possibly will affect another.
2. Overtorquing (or undertorquing). While it is more common for overtorquing to cause damage, undertorquing may allow a fastener to
vibrate loose causing serious dam age. Especially when dealing with
aluminum parts, pay attention to tor que specifications and utilize a torque
wrench in assembly. If a torque figure is not available, remember that if
you are using the right tool to perfo rm the job, you will probably not have
to strain yourself to get a fast ener tight enough. The pitch of most
threads is so slight that the te nsion you put on the wrench will be
multiplied many times in actual fo rce on what you are tightening.
There are many commercial products avai lable for ensuring that fasteners won't
come loose, even if they are not torqued just right (a very common brand is

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 762
Loctite). If you're worried about getting so
mething together tight enough to hold,
but loose enough to avoid mechanical damage during assembly, one of these
products might offer substantial insurance. Before choosing a threadlocking
compound, read the label on the pa ckage and make sure the product is
compatible with the materials, fluids, etc. involved.
3. Crossthreading. This occu rs when a part such as a bolt is screwed into a
nut or casting at the wrong angle and forced. Cr ossthreading is more
likely to occur if access is diffic ult. It helps to clean and lubricate
fasteners, then to start threading the bolt, spark pl ug, etc. with your
fingers. If you encounter resistance, unscrew the part and start over
again at a different angle until it can be inserted and turned several t\
imes
without much effort. Keep in mind t hat many parts have tapered threads,
so that gentle turning will automatica lly bring the part you're threading to
the proper angle. Don't put a wrench on the part until it's been tightened
a couple of turns by hand. If you s uddenly encounter resistance, and the
part has not seated fully, don't force it. Pull it back out to make sure it's
clean and threading properly.
Be sure to take your time and be pati ent, and always plan ahead. Allow yourself
ample time to perform r epairs and maintenance.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Without the proper tools and equipment it is impossible to properly service your
vehicle. It would be virtually impossible to catalog every tool that you would
need to perform all of the oper ations in this repair guide. It would be unwise for
the amateur to rush out and buy an expens ive set of tools on the theory that
he/she may need one or more of them at some time.
The best approach is to proceed slowly, gathering a good quality set of those
tools that are used most frequently. Don't be misled by the low cost of bargain
tools. It is far better to spend a little more for better quality. Forged wrenches, 6
or 12-point sockets and fine tooth ratc hets are by far preferable to their less
expensive counterparts. As any good me chanic can tell you, there are few
worse experiences than trying to work on a vehicle with bad tools. Your
monetary savings will be far outweighed by frustration and mangled knuckles.
Begin accumulating those tools that are used most frequently: those associated
with routine maintenance and tune-up. In addition to the normal assortment of
screwdrivers and pliers, you should have the following tools:
• Wrenches/sockets and combination o pen end/box end wrenches in sizes 1/83/4 in. and/or 3mm-19mm 13/16 in. or 5/8 in. spark plug socket
(depending on plug type).
If possible, buy various length socket drive extensions. Universal-joint\
and
wobble extensions can be extremely usef ul, but be careful when using them, as
they can change the amount of torque applied to the socket.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 763
•

Jackstands for support.
• Oil filter wrench.
• Spout or funnel for pouring fluids.
• Grease gun for chassis lubrication (unl ess your vehicle is not equipped
with any grease fittings)
• Hydrometer for checking the battery (unless equipped with a sealed,
maintenance-free battery).
• A container for draining oil and other fluids.
• Rags for wiping up the inevitable mess.

Fig. 1: All but the most basic procedures will require an assortment of ratchets
and sockets

Fig. 2: In addition to ratchets, a good set of wrenches and hex keys will be
necessary

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 766
In addition to the above it
ems there are several others that are not absolutely
necessary, but handy to have around. These include an equivalent oil
absorbent gravel, like cat litter, and the usual supply of lubricants, antifreeze
and fluids. This is a basic list for rout ine maintenance, but only your personal
needs and desire can accurately determine your list of tools.
After performing a few projects on the vehi cle, you'll be amazed at the other
tools and non-tools on your workbench. Some useful household items are: a
large turkey baster or siphon, empty coff ee cans and ice trays (to store parts), a
ball of twine, electrical t ape for wiring, small rolls of colored tape for tagging
lines or hoses, markers and pens, a note pad, golf tees (for plugging vacuum
lines), metal coat hangers or a roll of mechanic's wire (to hold things out of the
way), dental pick or similar long, poi nted probe, a strong magnet, and a small
mirror (to see into rece sses and under manifolds).

Fig. 7: Although not always necessary, us ing specialized brake tools will save
time