Problems While Driving

[vargatron]

First time AMC owner here!  I purchased an 84 Eagle wagon a few months ago and I think the shop has had it for longer than I have.  A few weeks ago my boyfriend was driving it home from work and said without warning he suddenly lost power; every time he'd press on the gas the engine would just rev.  Had it towed to a shop in the area and the mechanic was able to get it to go by shifting it from 2WD into 4, and back again.  Drove it around town a bit but couldn't get it to act up again and wasn't sure what could be causing it.  So, I go to pick it up this afternoon and for the first 15 or so miles it's doing well... then I hear the engine and notice that I'm gradually slowing down.  Pull over, shift it from 2 to 4, get back on the highway. Does it again another 5 or so miles down the road.  Any thoughts?  I was told the transfer case and associated vaccuums were fine...

I love my cars, but I'm afraid I'm still a novice when it comes to the actual mechanics  I'm trying to learn as much as I can in my spare time.

ETA: it came with those wheels. I'm not really a fan.

[BenM]

It may just be a vacuum leak.

Do you know the last time someone went through and replaced all the rubber lines and checked the hard plastic ones?

[Amc1320]

Hello, nice Eagle btw

Sounds like the t case is slipping into what's called "false neutral"

It's not quite in 4wd or 2wd but somewhere between

Like Ben said its most likely a vacuum leak somewhere, could even be the can looking thing that holds vacuum as well, could even be the vacuum actuator had a leak

You can take a 9/16 wrench and fully put it in one or the other if it leaves you stranded

[vargatron]

The guy I bought it from said it had been sitting for a while, and I don't think he did a whole lot to it. Has about 81k miles at the moment.
When the CV axles were being replaced I asked that the vacuum lines be looked over, but I'm not sure how competent the mechanic was. I'm still pretty new to PA so I'm in the process of hunting down a reputable shop, or at least somebody that knows older AMCs/Jeeps.  Getting all the old rubber components replaced is up there on my "to do" list.

When I was finally able to get in touch with the guy who actually did the work on the car and not the receptionist he did mention something about the transfer case actuator, but said he was unable to locate one.  If this is the problem, could I put it in 2WD until I find a replacement?

[Amc1320]

My actuator is kinda tired too, it's on my list....

I know it's probably not a long term fix but I put mine in 2wd in the summer with a wrench and wire it in place

Works for me

[carnuck]

Either wire it or put a spring to hold it.

[DaemonForce]

Normally this kind of behavior would have me thinking that garbage Torqueflite is going to crap itself again but you managed to get it working by shifting the actuator. That alone tells me there is a vacuum leak. That needs to be resolved. If you like the vacuum thing you're probably not going to be replacing the actuator but it would be a good idea to clean it up since it's almost guaranteed to be oily and nasty. The other important thing is the set of vacuum lines going to the actuator. There is almost definitely some kind of leak coming from somewhere on the line. Find it and patch it. Or replace the entire set if you can.

[BenM]

Replacing the vacuum lines could take a while, but it's pretty easy. I don't think it's something most mechanics would want to do for fun.

To check everything you just need a vacuum diagram from the Eaglepedia and a handheld pump with a gauge. If it holds vacuum for a few minutes it's good enough for most items. You can probably just pull the line off, cut an exact replacement, and put a new one on as long as things are all connected correctly.

Even if the lines look good, it's a good idea to go through and replace them every 5-10 years. The rubber ages from all kinds of heat, oil, and such. Cracks appear and connections leak.

Plastic line is available in the "Help!" section as well if you have a bad section of line.

[JayRamb]

You will need a carb job.

[vargatron]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it! You've already been much more polite and helpful than some of the some of the forums I used to frequent. Will keep you posted.