Weird problem, 88 90Q with Clifford alarm

[Vincent Gelinas]

On 11/14/2010 7:37 PM, Huw Powell wrote:
>
>
>  On 11/14/2010 7:26 PM, Vincent Gelinas wrote:
> > On 11/14/2010 7:19 PM, Huw Powell wrote:
> >> Thanks, but I, um, fixed it once I discovered the weird voltage
> >> discrepancy. Mostly a dirty battery cable connector. Hmmm, I
> >> wonder if that battery was OK after all, just not getting a good
> >> ground?
> >>
> >>> I have a similar problem caused by a bad ground cable from my
> >>> battery. It likes to come loose on the terminal every so
> >>> often... if it's the original ground strap, try tapping it near
> >>> the bolt on the terminal. Sometimes this will just cause things
> >>> to die when i turn the key on. Maybe this will help?
> >>>
> >>> V
> >>>
> >>
> > Which battery, my friend?
>
>  The one I took out of the grey car because it wasn't charging.
>  Swapped in the 5-6 year old one from the black car.
>
> > Replacing the ground strap is on my list of things to do.
>
>  The black car has a big fat Walmart 2 AWG cable from battery to
>  transmission mounting bolt. The ("new") grey one has the stock flat
>  braided cable.
>
> > I discovered this delicious little oddity as I was cranking my car
> > repeatedly. Turn my key on, and POOF! no power. Took out my
> > screwdriver, tapped the terminal connector, and power was
> > restored.
>
>  So have you taken it apart and cleaned it yet?
>
> > In other news, my car died the other night and cranks over rarely
> > and you can hear the fuel pump whining, so I'm replacing it with a
> > Bosch part (only 150 including 1 day shipping on Amazon). When she
> > /did/ crank over after I did an oil change and tried to fire up to
> > check for leaks from the filter and plug, my fiancee reported a
> > plume of white smoke from my tailpipe when I revved the engine. Is
> > that water/coolant burning and signifying a head gasket?
>
>  I hope not.
>
>  PS, I have a spare engine if you need it. Heck, I have 2 3/4 spare
>  90Qs here...
>

/So have you taken it apart and cleaned it yet?/

It's the battery terminal connector on the flat, braided ground strap. 
Though I have cleaned it with a toothbrush and
baking soda water. How's that 2AWG one from Wally World holding up?

/PS, I have a spare engine if you need it./

A new engine that I know things are correct on would certainly fix a 
load of my problems, but most likely out of my
price range. I have noticed lately a fair amount of knocking, almost 
like a diesel would sound. Could this be attributed
  to the oil? I used Rotella T6 5w-40 oil with a Mobil 1 filter (the 
only one Autozone had with an anti-drainback valve.
I went with Rotella because it's the only 5w-40 oil I could find that 
was decently cheap
(almost $8 a quart for M1 where I am!).