[gusbus]

its an 89 sierra changed head gasket.it ran fine for 2 days now any left hand turn will flick the handbrake light on and it wont idle properly!it sits at 2k sometimes 500 but worse of all it really surges at idle(im sure the people next to me at lights thought i wanted a race)the car drives well under load.any help would be appreciated thanks

[inbits]

check your brake fluid if its low it will make the light come on as a warning

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

[whincup]

inbits wrote:

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

x2. check none of the hoses have come unplugged.

[MacDaddy]

whincup wrote:

inbits wrote:

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

x2. check none of the hoses have come unplugged.

X 3
You have knocked/pulled of a hose/pipe somewhere when you were changing the gasket...

[Scrawny]

Also check handbrake switch, more likely low brake fluid but

[SuziBlu]

inbits wrote:

check your brake fluid if its low it will make the light come on as a warning

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

I thought the handbrake was cable activated, no fluid.

[royce]

SuziBlu wrote:

inbits wrote:

check your brake fluid if its low it will make the light come on as a warning

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

I thought the handbrake was cable activated, no fluid.

switch in the master cyl lights the handbrake light up if fluid is low

[Scrawny]

SuziBlu wrote:

inbits wrote:

check your brake fluid if its low it will make the light come on as a warning

the surging sounds like a vaccuum leak

I thought the handbrake was cable activated, no fluid.

Most cars use the same light for both purposes

[SuziBlu]

Oh ok, never knew that one.

I alawys thought it was a magic switch like the one that shuts off the fridge light when the door is closed.

[gusbus]

ok just had a look brake fluid was nearing the low mark line!thanks for your replys ill top it up tomorrow.i have looked all over the engine bay and can not find a loose hose anywhere!!ill have another look at first light....but for now its rum time

[inbits]

you may also have a leak around a gasket get a squirty bottle of water and while its running spray it over everything if it has a vac leak it will get drawn in and the revs will drop.

[Scrawny]

You might like to have a quick look over your brakes to find out where to fluid has gone, leaking wheel cylinders or worn out front pads, then bleed the fluid through with some new stuff. Brake fluid is often over looked but still quite important.

[russty_2008]

check your float in the carby isnt stuck after rolling it around when changing your head gasket

[gusbus]

lookes searched played around still no luck its doin the same thing!!with the carb hat off i can see the fuel spitting out!is it supposed to be an even flow on idle?

[89_tintop]

when doin the head gasket did you got the carby upside down by any chance ?

or was it left right way up the whole time

[gusbus]

yep upside down at some stage

[zooky08]

could it be dirt or shit in the jets from the fuel bowl from tiping it up side down

[89_tintop]

zooky08 wrote:

could it be dirt or shit in the jets from the fuel bowl from tiping it up side down

that's what i was thinking... its a no no to tip a carby upside down...

[gusbus]

thanks for the reply's.just went for a run wasnt to bad after playin round with it but i will pull it apart and clean the jets see how that goes