2.8 nearly caught itself on fire after hill start. (Page 1/2)
Additivewalnut JUL 16, 02:22 AM
Alright, I haven't posted here in a while but I got a real interesting one for you, Patrick

Ever since I got the car running and driving again it has been an absolute dream.. if you forgive the past coolant leaks, the fuel leaks, the vacuum leaks, the clutch reservoir leaks..... *ahem*
Regardless of those past problems it starts up perfectly and I've taken her around the block a few times with no problems that I can detect.. except for one very odd one for me.

The car starts perfectly with no problems on flat level ground, but the moment there's an incline, generally an upwards one, it misses like a motherf*****. This doesn't happen when the car is already running and on a hill though. It's incredible honestly. Thing sounds like it's running lean and smells even leaner, it will refuse to go over 3000 RPM and while limping it back not even 1/5 of a mile to level ground, the header on the firewall was glowing and the heat shield was smoking. After my precious baby nearly become another engine fire statistic, I let it cool down in a flat lot, then started it back up with literally zero problems. Drove back home like it never even almost combusted. I can't really wrap my brain around how this works.

It also threw a check engine but I wasn't about to check the code while my car was actively having a heart attack. Check engine goes away when started on flat ground.

TL : DR The car runs like sh*t if you start it on a hill and will damn near set itself ablaze unless it gets started on flat ground.

[This message has been edited by Additivewalnut (edited 07-16-2020).]

Mike in Sydney JUL 16, 03:04 AM
What's the fuel level in the tank when this happens? Are you going up-hill or down-hill when it happens?

Could it be that you have water in the gas tank? If that was the case you may be picking up water at the fuel pick-up in the tank when the car in in a particular up-hill or down-hill orientation. If there's water going through the engine, the sensors will get a faulty reading and may cause the engine to run too rich or too lean. This can cause the engine's power to get reduced, and you may see symptoms like slow acceleration.

BTW, even though the CEL (check engine light) is not lit, there is probably a code set in the computer.

------------------
Mike in Sydney

Additivewalnut JUL 16, 03:23 AM

quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:

What's the fuel level in the tank when this happens? Are you going up-hill or down-hill when it happens?

Could it be that you have water in the gas tank?
BTW, even though the CEL (check engine light) is not lit, there is probably a code set in the computer.




It'll happen at any level of fuel. Generally happens uphill more than down, and I highly doubt there's any water in the tank since I dropped it and dry cleaned it. + it's all fresh gas. I just recently filled the tank.

I'll check for codes tomorrow.
Patrick JUL 16, 03:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

Alright, I haven't posted here in a while but I got a real interesting one for you, Patrick.



Great.

I'll take a WILD guess and suggest that your cat has internally crumbled, and that a chunk of debris is occasionally blocking the outlet of the cat (or muffler).... dependent on the angle of the car.

If I'm right, I want an award. If I'm not right, my advice is worth what you paid for it. lol
Additivewalnut JUL 16, 12:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

I'll take a WILD guess and suggest that your cat has internally crumbled, and that a chunk of debris is occasionally blocking the outlet of the cat (or muffler).... dependent on the angle of the car.



Good to see you, friend. Are there ways to check to see if something went horribly wrong without dropping the cat?

And if I need to drop the cat should I just leave it out? I dont need emissions in my state for the fiero.
IMSA GT JUL 16, 02:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:


Good to see you, friend. Are there ways to check to see if something went horribly wrong without dropping the cat?

And if I need to drop the cat should I just leave it out? I dont need emissions in my state for the fiero.



I'd remove it just to eliminate future issues. Your exhaust may be slightly louder but that's about it. You can get a cat delete for $40 plus shipping:
https://www.fierostore.com/...%20%208587&d=389&p=1
Patrick JUL 16, 02:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

Are there ways to check to see if something went horribly wrong without dropping the cat?



Flow out the tailpipe would be compromised if the cat was blocked. If you can get your engine to start running poorly, temporarily removing the O2 sensor (as a test) would allow the engine to breathe and run a bit smoother. You can also try thumping the underside of your cat with a rubber mallet or your fist to see if anything is rattling around in there. A good thread about failed cats is Here.


quote
Originally posted by Additivewalnut:

And if I need to drop the cat should I just leave it out? I dont need emissions in my state for the fiero.



You're still breathing the air, right? New cats aren't very expensive, they flow well, and they make a very noticeable difference in the level of stench/harmful emissions that come out of the tailpipe.
IMSA GT JUL 16, 02:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

You're still breathing the air, right? New cats aren't very expensive, they flow well, and they make a very noticeable difference in the level of stench/harmful emissions that come out of the tailpipe.



No, delete it and enjoy the raw fuel smell
Patrick JUL 16, 02:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:

No, delete it and enjoy the raw fuel smell



Standing behind a running catless vehicle takes me back to my youth, and the gawd-awful smell of car exhaust in the 1960's!

IMSA GT JUL 16, 03:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Standing behind a running catless vehicle takes me back to my youth, and the gawd-awful smell of car exhaust in the 1960's!



And back then, we were breathing in LEADED fuel, not unleaded.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-16-2020).]