Stalling/Fuel Smell/Seemingly bad MPG
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 4
From: Austin TX
Stalling/Fuel Smell/Seemingly bad MPG
So, my 88 automatic coupe is having some very slight issues with sputtering and dying. It seems to happen mostly when it's colder outside (That's subjective, I'm in Texas. 60ish degrees.) The car will seem to have really low power if the gas pedal is pushed softly, as one would do driving normally. This is sometimes accompanied by a loud popping sound coming from the front of the car. Almost like a backfire.
When the gas pedal is pushed more firmly, as, to the floor or more than half way, the car drives like it should. This may have something to do with my bad MPG, but I've pretty much drove the car the same way the whole time I've had it, and I've dropped from averaging 16+ to 13ish.
The car will also stall sometimes when I push the gas pedal to accelerate from a stop. The engine cuts out and I have to restart the car. This only happens when I first start moving and not any other time during acceleration.
Also when I start the car, after driving for a few feet down the street, when I stop I can smell gasoline. It's not what I would call a strong smell, but it's noticable. I can also smell it when I rev the car when it's parked. Can't tell if it's coming from the front or the back though.
Does anyone have any ideas or things I should check?
When the gas pedal is pushed more firmly, as, to the floor or more than half way, the car drives like it should. This may have something to do with my bad MPG, but I've pretty much drove the car the same way the whole time I've had it, and I've dropped from averaging 16+ to 13ish.
The car will also stall sometimes when I push the gas pedal to accelerate from a stop. The engine cuts out and I have to restart the car. This only happens when I first start moving and not any other time during acceleration.
Also when I start the car, after driving for a few feet down the street, when I stop I can smell gasoline. It's not what I would call a strong smell, but it's noticable. I can also smell it when I rev the car when it's parked. Can't tell if it's coming from the front or the back though.
Does anyone have any ideas or things I should check?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
i reminds myself to replace the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm.
Have heard quite a few horror stories about ruptured fuel pressure diaphragms,
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 4
From: Austin TX
Additional news today, it straight up died, side of the road. Coolant overflow tank was empty. Must have a leak somewhere.
Edit: Looks like it's coming from the general area of between this black thing and the shiny tin thing.
I don't know what either of them are, or if that's even coolant, but it's wet.
Edit2: $*@^ %(@& %*&($@( The oil is milky.
Edit: Looks like it's coming from the general area of between this black thing and the shiny tin thing.
I don't know what either of them are, or if that's even coolant, but it's wet.
Edit2: $*@^ %(@& %*&($@( The oil is milky.
Last edited by Azriel; Apr 10, 2012 at 03:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 4
From: Austin TX
Thank you, that's relief 
Any recommendations on how to start diagnosing/fixing? If I need to transport it any amount of distance, how far is too far to drive it? I don't want to drive it at all, but being a college student somewhat limits my options for paying to get it moved.
Any recommendations on how to start diagnosing/fixing? If I need to transport it any amount of distance, how far is too far to drive it? I don't want to drive it at all, but being a college student somewhat limits my options for paying to get it moved.
