79 vette hard to restart. Water in gas? Flooded?
#1
79 vette hard to restart. Water in gas? Flooded?
Gassed up my 79 and took it for a ride. It ran rough at a red light and then stalled. It didn't want to restart. After a while it did finally start. Got the car home (had to hold my foot on the brake and the gas at times to keep it from stalling) I think maybe when I filled it up (a half hour before it started running poorly) I got water mixed in with the gas I bought. So I believe that why it ran so bad and I think I flooded it when I tried to restart it. So Now what should I do??? I will put in some Heat(dry gas) Since it hasn't been tuned up in a while I was thinking about putting in new spark-plugs. My hope is with new plugs it may start a little quicker and I won't have to worry about it flooding again. Any ideas?
#2
You can pour in a pint of rubbing alcohol. It will absorb the water and burn it off.
#4
Race Director
use dry gas. rubbing alcohol is already 30 to 50 percent water. is there a drain plug in the bottom of these tanks?
#5
Isopropyl is 30% water, but it is still hygroscopic at that ratio. I have used this trick safely before.
Last edited by Big2Bird; 09-14-2015 at 06:51 AM.
#7
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Apr 2009
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Gassed up my 79 and took it for a ride. It ran rough at a red light and then stalled. It didn't want to restart. After a while it did finally start. Got the car home (had to hold my foot on the brake and the gas at times to keep it from stalling) I think maybe when I filled it up (a half hour before it started running poorly) I got water mixed in with the gas I bought. So I believe that why it ran so bad and I think I flooded it when I tried to restart it. So Now what should I do??? I will put in some Heat(dry gas) Since it hasn't been tuned up in a while I was thinking about putting in new spark-plugs. My hope is with new plugs it may start a little quicker and I won't have to worry about it flooding again. Any ideas?
You may have a failing distributor module. Stick a 1/4" X 3" bolt into a spark plug wire and clamp the wire near a good ground. If the module (and coil) are good it should produce a 1" long blue spark.
#8
I have used the Valvoline water remover in the past and it works pretty good.
http://www.autozone.com/fuel-and-eng...ver/33412_0_0/
http://www.autozone.com/fuel-and-eng...ver/33412_0_0/
#9
Race Director
yes but the drug store variety is cut 30% with water already. uses up a lot of it's ability to absorb water...
#10
#11
[QUOTEYou may have a failing distributor module.][/QUOTE]
I was wondering that too. I have heard that they sometimes fail when hot. The car was hot when this nonsense started. Looks like some dry gas and a new module are in order. Then I will double check my carb adjustments just for good measure.
I appreciate everyone taking some time to help me.
I was wondering that too. I have heard that they sometimes fail when hot. The car was hot when this nonsense started. Looks like some dry gas and a new module are in order. Then I will double check my carb adjustments just for good measure.
I appreciate everyone taking some time to help me.
#12
Crossing my fingers. I just replaced the ignition module. It fires right up. Time will tell I guess. Bad part is the plastic connect that has what I believe as a condenser fell apart in my hand. Its together but not well. Do they sell that part too?
#13
Drifting
Also check the condition of the power wire terminal to the distributor. It can get corroded over the years and cause the problems you describe. How do I know?
#14
If outside on the white tach wire, that is a tach filter.
#15
Le Mans Master
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FWIW, I've been driving for over 55 years and have never had a "water in the gas" problem. I've heard this complaint over and over when a car doesn't run right (even from yours truly). You probably nailed it with the new IM. Hope so. Just my 2 cents.
#16
Melting Slicks
[QUOTE=superdave269;1590489370]Crossing my fingers. I just replaced the ignition module. It fires right up. Time will tell I guess. Bad part is the plastic connect that has what I believe as a condenser fell apart in my hand. Its together but not well. Do they sell that part too
yes
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-d9007/overview/
yes
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-d9007/overview/
#17
Thanks, The part from Summit is exactly what I think I should replace as I am concerned with the plastic falling apart one of the connections could touch the distributor and cause a short.