On the possible fuel starvation. I think the ASR started in 92.
1991 Loses power while burning rubber
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 82
From: NW Arkansas
1991 Loses power while burning rubber
I was out driving today and did a small "drift" (basically just gave it gas while turning so the rear end sticks out a little). and the car suddenly lost power. I'm not really sure what happened, but it felt like the engine died for a second. The car decelerated hard, like I had hit the brakes in the middle of my slide. I shifted to second and gave it gas and it was back to normal.
This is not the first time this has happened. It does not happen every time I do this. The first time I thought I hit the rev limiter. This was not the case, I was just under 4k RPM today. Each time it lasts only a second. It happens as I am bringing the car straight again, and I punch the gas to take off in a straight line. It has never happened while initiating a slide, or while doing a burnout. I wonder if I am confusing the computer by going on/off/on the gas quickly? But I can't recreate the issue except when I am sliding.
I have noticed my ABS light comes on any time I lose traction, or go over a large bump. I'm not sure if it's supposed to, or if its related at all, but it's all I can think.
I have no idea where to even start with this. Does anyone have any ideas?
This is not the first time this has happened. It does not happen every time I do this. The first time I thought I hit the rev limiter. This was not the case, I was just under 4k RPM today. Each time it lasts only a second. It happens as I am bringing the car straight again, and I punch the gas to take off in a straight line. It has never happened while initiating a slide, or while doing a burnout. I wonder if I am confusing the computer by going on/off/on the gas quickly? But I can't recreate the issue except when I am sliding.
I have noticed my ABS light comes on any time I lose traction, or go over a large bump. I'm not sure if it's supposed to, or if its related at all, but it's all I can think.
I have no idea where to even start with this. Does anyone have any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
If you have fuel, spark, and compression - you should have a running engine.... For it to just lose power - there is a problem with one of the three things.
Could it be fuel starvation - a clogged filter or a weak pump ??? Best way to tell is to just change the filter - then connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel line, and tape it to the windshield (you may want to run a Go Pro or dash cam - so you can c0ncentrate on driving) - then go out and do the kind of thing that causes the problem.
Could it be fuel starvation - a clogged filter or a weak pump ??? Best way to tell is to just change the filter - then connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel line, and tape it to the windshield (you may want to run a Go Pro or dash cam - so you can c0ncentrate on driving) - then go out and do the kind of thing that causes the problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 82
From: NW Arkansas
Its possible. However the fuel pump, filter, regulator, and injectors are all less than a year old. I've also recently gone through and checked all the fuel system components while chasing a different problem that turned out to be computer-related. Although I haven't checked fuel pressure while sliding, it remains solid during regular driving and hard acceleration.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
Most C4 Corvettes have fuel starvation when the fuel level in the tank is around a quarter or lower. When this occurs the engine cuts out briefly until the fuel slosh stabilizes.
But I assume you have the ASR switch off when you are drifting?
If the ASR is on then your car is performing correctly trying to slow the vehicle down because it is detecting tire spin.
But I assume you have the ASR switch off when you are drifting?
If the ASR is on then your car is performing correctly trying to slow the vehicle down because it is detecting tire spin.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 82
From: NW Arkansas
Yes I have no ASR. I was very low on gas at the time, on my way to the gas station. I never considered that, but I think that's a good theory. I'll try to drift it around some more now I've filled up and see if it happens again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 82
From: NW Arkansas
definitely dramatic lol. I think fuel starvation was the culprit. I filled the tank and went for a drive and it laid rubber no problem. I have a tendency to run it a little low on gas, which I will try to stop doing.
This is definitely the most fun I've had diagnosing an issue on my car lol
This is definitely the most fun I've had diagnosing an issue on my car lol
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 82
From: NW Arkansas
Well it rained this morning so I took the corvette out and had some fun. The problem still hasn't reoccurred, and I was throwing it around much more than usual. Fuel still above 1/4 tank. I'll keep an eye on it and post something here if it happens again while the tank is full, but for now I'm satisfied. I have some other gremlins to sort out.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I'm pretty certain that the fuel being low caused your issue.
I have done it a few times in my 85 myself and can verify that the fuel pressure will drop in that particular situation. I've run the tank low (on purpose) so I could run a data log to see if the fuel pressure drops. I could see the fuel pressure drop and the injector duty cycle spike to keep the air/fuel ratio correct every time on the data log when I turned sharply with the tank low. (My aftermarket EFI monitors the fuel pressure.)
I have done it a few times in my 85 myself and can verify that the fuel pressure will drop in that particular situation. I've run the tank low (on purpose) so I could run a data log to see if the fuel pressure drops. I could see the fuel pressure drop and the injector duty cycle spike to keep the air/fuel ratio correct every time on the data log when I turned sharply with the tank low. (My aftermarket EFI monitors the fuel pressure.)
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: Liberty, SC
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It happened to me too. I suspected my fuel guage was readin wrong... one day, it was showing about 1/3 of a tank. I took a 90°turn at low speed in 1st gear and punched it. Just as it began to launch, the engine cut out completely and then came back on strong. I kept driving while thinking over what had just happened.
about 10 minutes later... sputter sputter. Jump, lope, engine dies. I had my son bring me a can of fuel. Fired right up and took a full tank at the gas station. At least then i knew for sure, my guage was reading wrong. 🤪
about 10 minutes later... sputter sputter. Jump, lope, engine dies. I had my son bring me a can of fuel. Fired right up and took a full tank at the gas station. At least then i knew for sure, my guage was reading wrong. 🤪