I just bought a '90 Trooper 2.8, which was rebuilt 15k miles ago. I'm hoping you Trooper gurus can help me get its various quirks sorted out.

It seems to have mosly been used as a hunting vehicle - I had to remove ALL the carpeting + padding from the back, as it smelled really really bad. Bad like death bad. After pulling it up, I saw that while the top had been shampooed, underneath it was still saturated with dried blood. I'm talking about it was slick, shiny, and dark reddish brown from side to side, including the base of both wheel arch carpets. Eccchhh. Hence it's new name, the MeatWagon (coined by my lovely wife). As I removed it, I wondered if I should be calling CSI or someone to get DNA off it. Anyhow, I'm looking for new carpeting for back there. Any ideas?

It runs well, but it's got some idle problems, which I'm assuming are due to vacuum or EGR. Just got my manual & I'll attack that this weekend.

I also noticed that it appears to be missing some parts on the intake - I can't remember what the system is called, but it brings warm air in from over the exaust mainfold while the engine is cold via a hose that runs from a shroud around the manifold, up to the intake. The large hose between the manifold & intake is missing. My question - is this worth replacing? It's pretty cold blooded until it gets warmed up - have to work the pedal etc to keep it running.

Also, the defogger vents at the base of the windshield won't output any air. I hear a flapper move, but the fan is clearly restricted & the windshield vents just trickle air out. I had the exact same problem with my old '86 Trooper. Is this a known problem...hopefully with a known fix?

Other than the idle problem, I'm very happy with the truck. Lot's more go power than my old '86 2.6. I even grabbed rubber in 2nd gear! Ok it was raining but I'll take what I can get....

you have vacuum leaks, fix those and your idle will improve AND your defroster vents will work again.

Don't forget to check the vacuum hoses under the dash.

ALTERNATELY, plug off the vacuum hose that goes under the dash, and use a cheap pull spring to do the job that vacuum previously did, under your dash. It's what I did, anyhow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

You can buy generic stove pipe tube at any auto parts store. It looks like aluminum foil.

Before you hook that thing back up, make sure the flapper valve opens and closes and is somewhat air tight.

The flapper is vacuum actuated by the temp sensor behind the air filter.

You should have a vac line running from TB to temp sensor, then a vac line running from that to the flapper, for it to work.

Re: getting smells out, go to Petsmart and pick up a gallon of some stuff called Nature's Miracle. It is fantastic for getting odors out of fabric, carpet, you name it. The enzymes actually eat up the organic odor-causing material. I have used it and can attest to its effectiveness. Not cheap, a gallon is around $20 or so, but it's a better buy by the gal. A quart spray bottle is around $10 but if you have a lot of interior to saturate with the stuff, the gallon size goes a lot farther. Well worth the $$$

On your defroster, besides the vacuum issues already mentioned, you might check the adjustment of your flapper control cable. The clamps are real funky and can slip or be totally gone, then you lose full travel. If the flapper doesn't completely seal off in one direction or the other, air isn't going to go where you want.

HTH & don't forget to read the exclnt Power Tips article for the 60 Deg GM V6:

http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/60degreeV6/?

Don't forget that if you are using the flipped air lid trick that the heat riser hose (the one from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner snorkel) won't matter. Having the 3.1L I would hope that you have flipped the lid on your 2.8 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

My defroster vents just quit on me too. I haven't even started to think about it yet, but the dash vents do an adequate job on the windshield if you point all four straight up.