stalling and sputtering issue, help please
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
stalling and sputtering issue, help please
Hello all, I am a new member. Purchased my first corvette (94 c4 lt-1) about 7 months ago and have completed a full tune up after purchase. Today I had it out for a drive, I stepped on the gas and the front end nose dived and the engine cut out. I limped it into a parking lot and let it sit there. It idles perfectly fine, as it always has. I shut it off and same result idles fine, but when I give it gas it cuts out and backfires slightly. I drove it home at around 25 mph and it ran perfect, it only acted up when I reved it about 3-4000 rpm. I am at a loss as to where to start. Also I brought the car home, let it sit in the garage till cool and started. Reved like a champ with no problems. Now that this problem has occured I do remember at one time before the tune up it started to idle rough on me after a long drive. It went away but seems to be the same problem. Also, no engine lights or codes popped during this. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I do hate to introduce myself on such bad terms. Thanks in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Deja vu.
While this could be an ignition problem (darn opti sparks), you might have a failing fuel pump. Mine did the same sort of thing (idle ok, over 2,500- like crap) a couple months ago. Luckily my pump completely died in my garage. If that turns out to be the problem, they are EASY and fairly quick to replace on a C4. You do not need any special tools, just remember to get a new sock-filter for the pump.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. Don't feel bad, most people start here by posting issues, and over time collect solutions.
While this could be an ignition problem (darn opti sparks), you might have a failing fuel pump. Mine did the same sort of thing (idle ok, over 2,500- like crap) a couple months ago. Luckily my pump completely died in my garage. If that turns out to be the problem, they are EASY and fairly quick to replace on a C4. You do not need any special tools, just remember to get a new sock-filter for the pump.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. Don't feel bad, most people start here by posting issues, and over time collect solutions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I remember the problem I came to this forum for help solving......
Uhh, WHAT DO I DO?!?!
Shortly before I blew my engine. Good times.
I agree with Rag Top with the fuel pump, but before you start turning those bolts, I would check the distributor. I know you did a tune, take off the top of the distributor and check all the contacts. I had this problem when I first picked up my vette. The contacts were all corroded as hell. Just take a wire brush to them. It will run okay at the beginning, but as the contacts themselves heat up, the resistance skyrockets.
Uhh, WHAT DO I DO?!?!
Shortly before I blew my engine. Good times.
I agree with Rag Top with the fuel pump, but before you start turning those bolts, I would check the distributor. I know you did a tune, take off the top of the distributor and check all the contacts. I had this problem when I first picked up my vette. The contacts were all corroded as hell. Just take a wire brush to them. It will run okay at the beginning, but as the contacts themselves heat up, the resistance skyrockets.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Ok, so maybe logic says its ignition related because when the car heats up it starts acting crazy? But the fuel pump was my first guess, how would I test fuel pressure to eliminate this as the issue? And how hard is it to get at that optispark distrib, I only replaced wires. Thanks again. Someone also suggested to me ignition module, does that make any sense to you guys?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
You can do lots of things to your ignition system.
Here's a few examples.
Summit Racing Search
To test your fuel pressure, you are going to need a gauge. It should look something like this.
Fuel pressure test kit
I'm not saying get that one, but they should have one at most decent automotive stores.
Here's a few examples.
Summit Racing Search
To test your fuel pressure, you are going to need a gauge. It should look something like this.
Fuel pressure test kit
I'm not saying get that one, but they should have one at most decent automotive stores.
Last edited by navy_vette; Apr 11, 2011 at 07:40 AM. Reason: URLs didn't work the first time
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Ok.
I am going to test fuel pressure this weekend. I am also going to buy a new and rotor and check the internals and clean anything that looks oxodized. This theory makes sense because it has always ran good in cool weather, when this happened it was 82 degrees and the coolant temp was around 230. I will post some results as soon as I get a chance to work on it. Thanks
I am going to test fuel pressure this weekend. I am also going to buy a new and rotor and check the internals and clean anything that looks oxodized. This theory makes sense because it has always ran good in cool weather, when this happened it was 82 degrees and the coolant temp was around 230. I will post some results as soon as I get a chance to work on it. Thanks
