Wow what a feeling being in the heavy traffic and have the car die! I could hear a funny sucking noise coming from the air cleaner and then it died. Tried to start it a few times while rolling down hill and being pushed off 28th street on to Division, but would not start. Sat there for a few moments which seemed like an half an hour, thinking it was heatsink, but the temp gauge was at normal. When I tried a few times the fuel pump had a different sound to it. It had a higher pitched whine which was not normal. So I was thinking that it was the fuel tank had some crud and blocked the filter. I had this happen to me 4 months ago. I had it towed home and changed the fuel filter. Well I tried turning the key a few times to see if the pump sounded different. When it did I fired it up and drove north down Division. Just before Burton it happened again. Not a good area to be in by the way at that time of night. Again waited until I heard the proper fuel pump pitch and off I go down a side street to Bucannon to Burton. Waited at the light hoping it would not kill. Got going west on Burton to head to the expressway. Almost made it, but had to turn off on a side street. Again waited for a few minutes then turned the key to listen to the fuel pump. Once I heard the proper pitch started and turned around to get back on Burton. Made it 131 only to have a red light. Once that turned I took off on to 131 north bound. made to the Franklin St entrance ramp. Again waited then took off made to the I-196 east bound exit and it quit again. Waited again and took off and didn't waste any time. Drove a little faster than I normally would but didn't want it to quit on the exit/entrance ramp. Little bugger corners pretty good a speed. Made to Fuller only to have a red light. Stayed running and made it another 10 blocks to home. What a night. Left the car out overnight to let it cool down.
This morning I had a Knights of Columbus event that I had to attend. Darned thing started up and ran great the several miles I had to travel. Same coming home.
My first thought was I have a fuel problem. But this time I didn't have half a tank but I was almost full. So then I thought it acted like the old carb days when you would get vapor lock. But several weeks ago I traveled out to Coopersville to cruise around town and then back home & no problem. I picked up a new fuel filter that I will install first thing tomorrow.
I am also thinking it may be tied to the ignition?? Don't know. I have had from day one of ownership a random miss at partial & full throttle and in 4th lock up. So I installed new plug wires. Ran fantastic for about 2 weeks then back to normal. Last week I installed new NGK spark plugs. All but one of the old plugs were a little darker than what a normal plug would be, number six was blacker making me thing that may be I might have a situation with the coil for #6. New plugs seemed to help a little but the random knock was still there. Is it possible that the heat may have caused the ignition to shut down? But then again the fuel pump would not have sounded different. Oh I have also noticed when accelerating it seems I have a small exhaust leak somewhere. Not sure if that has any relevance. The car does seem to run a little rich, but I think it is because of no egr and no cat.
I just got my 3800na on the road. I did start the motor a dozen or so times before getting it on the ground.
I decided that I didn't want to risk burning out the fuel pump prematurely so I decided to "HOT WIRE" the fuel pump using the instructions on Ryan's website. http://www.gmtuners.com/fiero/hot_wire.htm
People debate if this is necessary or say their car is fine without ever doing it. Personally I didn't want to risk the $130 Walbro pump when I could do the "HOT WIRE" for $20 or less (I had a relay from the junkyard in my pile o' stuff)...
EDIT: If you have an ODB2 connector, you could see if you are getting any codes.
Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?
[This message has been edited by MulletproofMonk (edited 08-26-2013).]
Next time it happens, loosen your gas cap. It's possible that the vapor canister is blocked and not allowing air into the tank. Once so much fuel is pumped out it creates a vacuum. This happened to one of the guys in our club. Exact same symptoms. A different vapor canister resolved the problem.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
It's something that corrects itself by sitting, so it's either that or the fuel filter...(or both). All that idling on 28th street brings out the flaws in a lot of cars...the traffic cops were no help at all.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 08-26-2013).]
I just got my 3800na on the road. I did start the motor a dozen or so times before getting it on the ground.
I decided that I didn't want to risk burning out the fuel pump prematurely so I decided to "HOT WIRE" the fuel pump using the instructions on Ryan's website. http://www.gmtuners.com/fiero/hot_wire.htm
People debate if this is necessary or say their car is fine without ever doing it. Personally I didn't want to risk the $130 Walbro pump when I could do the "HOT WIRE" for $20 or less (I had a relay from the junkyard in my pile o' stuff)...
EDIT: If you have an ODB2 connector, you could see if you are getting any codes.
Thanks for the info. I have a connector that was made for the 99 GP ecm. I didnt make it, PO did. I have tried scanners at work(dealership) but they would not work. I tried with key off and key on. PO says he thinks he wired it to be key on. Any way will not work for me.
Next time it happens, loosen your gas cap. It's possible that the vapor canister is blocked and not allowing air into the tank. Once so much fuel is pumped out it creates a vacuum. This happened to one of the guys in our club. Exact same symptoms. A different vapor canister resolved the problem.
Thanks for the info. Car doesn't have one, at least that I can find.
[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 08-26-2013).]
It's something that corrects itself by sitting, so it's either that or the fuel filter...(or both). All that idling on 28th street brings out the flaws in a lot of cars...the traffic cops were no help at all.
Thanks for the info. I think I saw you when I was heading west on 28th. New fuel filter is going in just a few minutes.
You could tape a fuel pressure gauge to your window and watch that when it starts to act up. That will tell you if there is a fuel problem.
Thank you for your suggestions. If it happens again I'll try the gas cap and see if there is vacuum there. I think I will try the gas cap every day. I'll look into doing the fuel pressure gauge. Would/could I tap into the fuel line heading to fuel rails?
[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 08-26-2013).]
Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?
[This message has been edited by MulletproofMonk (edited 08-27-2013).]
