C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Yet another stumbling C4

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Old Jun 24, 2021 | 07:43 PM
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Default Yet another stumbling C4

My '87 vette dies while I was driving it Sunday, acted like it was out of gas. I was able to get it started again and decided to head back home since I was pretty far out. It died repeatedly, at least 8 or 9 times on the way back, was able to restart each time. The last time I thought she was done, stalled 1/4 mile from my house and would not restart. After about 10 minutes I got her going again and limped home.

I've googled a bunch and come up with many different possibilities, but this is where it gets weird. When I first got the car 2 years ago I let it run below 1/2 tank. It acted the way it did Sunday, limped it 4 miles to my house after repeated restarts. When I got home I thought maybe the gas gauge was bad and put some gas in that I had in a can. Started right up and ran fine. Until now I would start noticing her stumbling when it got close to 1/2 tank so I would just fill up and all was well. Until now. Sunday I had almost a full tank of gas, I know the gauge wasn't lying because I just filled up the day before.

I'm stumped, and hope that the symptoms might give a clue as to what's going on. I'm leaning toward the fuel pump but I understand there are multiple things involved that could affect this. Any ideas? And thanks in advance!
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Old Jun 24, 2021 | 08:55 PM
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Check the fuel pressure, better yet keep the gauge hooked up and watch it till it dies.
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Old Jun 25, 2021 | 07:57 AM
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Yeah I was going to try that first, my luck it will run like a top, I hate intermittent problems! 🙄
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Old Jun 25, 2021 | 08:05 AM
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Signs of a fuel pump sock filter possibly has disintegratde and allowing debri to get past and hinder flow at the right moment or just clogged.If no maintenance records I would at least replace the pump and the filter AFTER running the tank empty with a gauge on it just to see what's going on.


Last edited by TommyFox; Jun 25, 2021 at 08:05 AM.
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Old Jun 25, 2021 | 08:41 AM
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How would I run the tank empty? Schraeder at the fuel rail?
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Old Jun 26, 2021 | 02:52 PM
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So I picked up a fuel pressure tester, 42 psi with key on, 34 psi with it running. Does that sound right?
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Old Jun 26, 2021 | 05:35 PM
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Took it on a road test, couldn't replicate it dying out or sputtering. 32-34 at idle or light acceleration, 40 at WOT. Do these numbers sound right?
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Old Jun 26, 2021 | 06:37 PM
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Yes, leave it on till you have the problem.
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Old Jun 30, 2021 | 06:51 AM
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Pull the fuel pumps, easy 10 minute job and check the hose connections. I had similar symptoms and found one of the hoses on the fuel pump just hanging there, the clamp had come off. New stainless steel clamp and back in business. A good free check with minimum effort before replacing parts.
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Old Jun 30, 2021 | 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Dredgeguy
Pull the fuel pumps, easy 10 minute job and check the hose connections. I had similar symptoms and found one of the hoses on the fuel pump just hanging there, the clamp had come off. New stainless steel clamp and back in business. A good free check with minimum effort before replacing parts.

Thank you I'll try that!
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