Engine Shutdown at Track?!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Engine Shutdown at Track?!
I drive a 2002 C5, effectively stock. My last two races at California Speedway, my car has shut down during high speed turns. In the middle of the turn, I will all of a sudden lose everything.... all gauges going to 0 and the engine shutting off having to coast off the track.
Once I pull off, the car starts up fine and I can drive it off and even home. In fact, it does not do it at any other track. I think the high speeds at California Speedway have something to do with it. The car is not overheating, this will happen in the morning after only two laps.
Prior to it happening the first time I had a pretty bad power steering leak. I somehow associated it with that and replaced both the pump and rack. I will be going out again this weekend for retest.
However, before I waste the track fees, I was hoping for any input or experience from anybody else who might have had with this problem.
Thanks guys!
Once I pull off, the car starts up fine and I can drive it off and even home. In fact, it does not do it at any other track. I think the high speeds at California Speedway have something to do with it. The car is not overheating, this will happen in the morning after only two laps.
Prior to it happening the first time I had a pretty bad power steering leak. I somehow associated it with that and replaced both the pump and rack. I will be going out again this weekend for retest.
However, before I waste the track fees, I was hoping for any input or experience from anybody else who might have had with this problem.
Thanks guys!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 380
From: South Florida FL
this is rather interesting.
I'll start off in the fuel department, maybe the pumps overheat? but it is cool enough by time you're done coasting, so restarts fine. I'll get a gauge on there an log fuel pressure if possible. next step i'll check would be in the tune, do you datalog?
I'll start off in the fuel department, maybe the pumps overheat? but it is cool enough by time you're done coasting, so restarts fine. I'll get a gauge on there an log fuel pressure if possible. next step i'll check would be in the tune, do you datalog?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
How much banking ( clock wise or counter Clock wise )and how little fuel did you have?
Low few, bank tracked, pulls fuel away from the pick up, car shuts down.
also bank tracks and oil pick up( or lack there of) are almost a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you run at least 1 quart over. Which will still not prevent oil starvation and a dropped valve.
Low few, bank tracked, pulls fuel away from the pick up, car shuts down.
also bank tracks and oil pick up( or lack there of) are almost a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you run at least 1 quart over. Which will still not prevent oil starvation and a dropped valve.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Nov 16, 2009 at 03:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I agree with all of you. Unfortunately, the actual turn it shuts down in is flat. I will look into adding the extra oil and monitoring my fuel pressure. I appreciate all the interests and concern. I will let you know what happens at the track this weekend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee & Long Beach WI & CA
The engine shuts off, but the there's still power to everything, right?
I've had issues on track with low fuel causing me to loose power in the turns, but the engine didn't completely die. This was at Spring Mountain raceway in my mostly stock '01 coupe on street tires with about an 1/8 of a tank.
Maybe if you're pulling more G's, the engine would completely shutdown, but I'd think you'd also see it loosing power on other turns with less G's. Do you remember how much fuel you had when this was happening?
I've had issues on track with low fuel causing me to loose power in the turns, but the engine didn't completely die. This was at Spring Mountain raceway in my mostly stock '01 coupe on street tires with about an 1/8 of a tank.
Maybe if you're pulling more G's, the engine would completely shutdown, but I'd think you'd also see it loosing power on other turns with less G's. Do you remember how much fuel you had when this was happening?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 2
From: Valrico Florida
Funny you mention your car shutting off. Whenever I go WOT w/out the datalogger mine shuts off, but cranks right back up when I turn the key on and off. When I roll into it the car is fine. I never get a code. I am very curious to whats causing this myself.
Last edited by Vince99FRC; Nov 20, 2009 at 09:11 PM.
