Is it too cold?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Is it too cold?
It's been unusually cold out here in Southern California for the past couple of days. Anyway, I was driving to school this morning when the light turns red. I was pretty far away, so I thought I'd coast to the light. On my way to the light, my car dies. I get it restarted, but it wouldn't stay running so I had to use the gas to keep it from dying again. Anytime I came to a stop, I could watch the rpms drop off to zero. Eventually I got it to keep running without gassing it and at a stop. Any ideas on what caused it to stop running? Could it be too cold and damp?
'75 coupe, L48, 3-speed TH400
'75 coupe, L48, 3-speed TH400
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: Is it too cold? (Buffalo Dude)
Sounds like a choke adjustment problem to me. If you just got in started the car and drove off, I could sort of understand it. A carburated car with a choke, can be a little stuborn as soon as it is started in cool weather.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 24
From: Austin TX
Re: Is it too cold? (Buffalo Dude)
A lot of times these old engines will get cold in the morning and that is common especially for the first ride of the day, before school each morning start your car early and let it run for about 15 mins and see if it helps. Your timing may be off also, that's as much as I know.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Is it too cold? (C3Vettesrock)
Nope, no warning lights at all. I would let it run for awhile on the driveway, but i can't afford the gas :cry I think it's time for another tune up anyway. I know my car doesn't run so well when it's the first run of the day, but it's never stalled before, especially when coming to a stop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Re: Is it too cold? (Buffalo Dude)
You know I would bet that it is the fuel filter is clogged. Just by saying that by pumping will keep it running. If you have the stock Q-Jet then it is a small paper filter on the pass. side of the carb.
Hope that helps,
JoeB
Hope that helps,
JoeB
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 962
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From: Carlisle PA
Re: Is it too cold? (Buffalo Dude)
The condition you encountered is "icing"... I encountered this a few times in the northeast and it wasn't "freezing" cold out... Maybe in the mid 40's. What ends up happening is ice forms on your throttle plates at the base of the carb from moisture in the air and the "cold" air coming in from the air cleaner when you first start the car. It builds up and causes the crappy idle condition. The first time this ever happened I pulled off the road, removed the air cleaner and could actually see the ice melting off the plates. Once it was gone car ran/idled fine.
Not sure of a remedy :( I always let my car warm up, but still would occur if the conditions were right.
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 12:21 PM 11/27/2001]
Not sure of a remedy :( I always let my car warm up, but still would occur if the conditions were right.
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 12:21 PM 11/27/2001]
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Is it too cold? (ylose)
What does unusually cold in southern California compute to? :nopity
probably like 80 degrees ! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
probably like 80 degrees ! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: