Power drop off/surging
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Power drop off/surging
I was on my way back to work in the afternoon today and stopped at a set of traffic lights, when the lights went green, i decided to take off quick. Got to about 3,000 maybe 3,200rpm and felt a big drop off in power, then power was back on and off again a couple times more. Here is the situation as best i can describe it all: Straight 4 lane road, slight up hill, took of gently then WOT as soon as i had enough traction, 4 speed auto with a 2.59:1 rear, between 7 and 10 litres of fuel in the tank. Its never played up like this before, and the ASR was on, but DIDNT cut in, as i tried it again straght after with the ASR off and it did it again. A/C was off both times. Apart from that, the car seemed to run perfect. The car has Crane Cams 1.6:1 roller rockers, a larger exhaust with long tube headers, X-pipe, possibly a bigger than standard cam, and a K&N air filter. The car ran perfectly all the way home from work, when i stopped to top it up with fuel, i fit 68.92 litres in it, so im guessing it had maybe 6-8 litres left in it at this time. Does anyone have any theory on what i should be looking for as a potential problem here?? Thanks for any sugestions in advance.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Yeah, i came round to the starvation thought myself after id got back to work. I made the remaining fuel guesses based on how far i traveled after the occurance and how much fuel i fit in the tank when i filled it to the top. Assuming the tank is 75-76 litres and i fit in exactly 68.92 litres. I generally look at filling it up when the trip metre crosses the 500klm mark.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by DMGroh
As extra incentive to keep fuel in the tank, there is a post somewhere describing how the pump depends on the fuel to keep the pump cool and extends its life.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
I was on my way back to work in the afternoon today and stopped at a set of traffic lights, when the lights went green, i decided to take off quick. Got to about 3,000 maybe 3,200rpm and felt a big drop off in power, then power was back on and off again a couple times more. Here is the situation as best i can describe it all: Straight 4 lane road, slight up hill, took of gently then WOT as soon as i had enough traction, 4 speed auto with a 2.59:1 rear, between 7 and 10 litres of fuel in the tank. Its never played up like this before, and the ASR was on, but DIDNT cut in, as i tried it again straght after with the ASR off and it did it again. A/C was off both times. Apart from that, the car seemed to run perfect. The car has Crane Cams 1.6:1 roller rockers, a larger exhaust with long tube headers, X-pipe, possibly a bigger than standard cam, and a K&N air filter. The car ran perfectly all the way home from work, when i stopped to top it up with fuel, i fit 68.92 litres in it, so im guessing it had maybe 6-8 litres left in it at this time. Does anyone have any theory on what i should be looking for as a potential problem here?? Thanks for any sugestions in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Originally Posted by rick lambert
Fuel starvation-no baffles in tank-don't let it get that low, the fuel guages are not as accurate as you may think. 
When my '85's Low fuel light comes on, I KNOW I need to find the NEAREST service station as I have precious little fuel left when that light comes on, and I MEAN almost no fuel left! Ran out of fuel on 3 occassions on the way to work soon after I bought the 'Vette
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Yeah see i never thought of it at the time, cause its never happened before. It happened once in my 87 and when i stopped for fuel i fit a shade under 75 litres in it, so having a 75ltr tank it had very good reason to do it that time!! For some wierd reason with the 94 i have, the first half of the gauge takes about 350-400 klms to get through (i normally get at least 180klms before it drops from full), then the last half will go as quick as 100-150klms. The 87 never did this either. So i probably had a bit of a panic about it last night over nothing!!! Thanks very much for all your replies 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Well, mustve been low fuel, hasnt done it since, and its not through lack of trying!! I replaced my coil and PCV valve yesterday (just cause i can, and for no other reason), both appear to have been fine, but dirt cheap anyway. Thank you everyone for your responses
