Running rough then dies
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Running rough then dies
I am a new corvette owner. It is a 2000 convertable (C5). Last night my son and I went out and the engine started to sputter when we pulled into a parkling lot. The engine then died. We tried starting it several times and it would start, run very rough (low RPM) and then die. We pushed it into a parking spot to look at it. Tried one more time and it started correctly. I was thinking it might be bad gas, but had used 3/4 of that tank so I wasn't convinced. Drove and filled up the car with high test. It drove perfect, so then we drove to my girlfriends house to eat dinner. After dinner the exact same problem ocurred. Engine will start, runs very rough (low RPM) and then dies. I removed the air filter and sprayed carb cleaner into the filter housing. Engine sped up, but was still sputtering and then died. I looked for codes, but didn't see any. A friend is going to bring me a diagnositc tool tomorrow to see if other codes are there. I did not have check engine light or any annunciations on the digital display. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
You already have an OBD reader built into the car:
http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm
I'd check fuel pressure at the fuel rail, sounds like maybe the pump is on it's way out.
http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm
I'd check fuel pressure at the fuel rail, sounds like maybe the pump is on it's way out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Sound like you are running out of fuel--- the fuel filter is diffucult to change and many owers never change them---I'd start there---Also on the fuel rail there is a port similar to an A/C port where you can read fuel line pressure with a gauge--Its either a dash 3 or 4 connection--remove the sharder valve 1st-attach a gauge--start and dread the pressure--see if it goes down or to "0" It should read apprx 50 PSI all the time--You may not get a code for low fule pressure or flow---
Also have someone read the codes as well to see if it is something else---
typical issues are:
over oiled air filter fouls your MAF--broken or disconnected vacuum lines--
If it only happens after it's fully warmed up-- you may have a bad 02 sensor-
Also have someone read the codes as well to see if it is something else---
typical issues are:
over oiled air filter fouls your MAF--broken or disconnected vacuum lines--
If it only happens after it's fully warmed up-- you may have a bad 02 sensor-
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Thanks I will try both. The weekend before last I did clean and re-oil the K&N airfilter. I have run the car for about week like this. I don't think that I over oiled the aircleaner. If this was the issue I would have expected it earlier and not over a week later. Can the mass airflow sensor be cleaned?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Thanks I will try both. The weekend before last I did clean and re-oil the K&N airfilter. I have run the car for about week like this. I don't think that I over oiled the aircleaner. If this was the issue I would have expected it earlier and not over a week later. Can the mass airflow sensor be cleaned?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: Waco Texas
DO NOT USE THROTTLE BODY CLEANER ON YOUR MASS AIR SENSOR!!!
The fine filament resistor in the MAF can be easily damaged with to strong a solvent ( TB cleaner). There is a special cleaner for MAFs called Mass Air Sensor Cleaner at your local parts store. USE THIS! I have seen many damaged motors and skewed MAF Hz. by people improperly cleaning and over oiling there K&Ns.
The fine filament resistor in the MAF can be easily damaged with to strong a solvent ( TB cleaner). There is a special cleaner for MAFs called Mass Air Sensor Cleaner at your local parts store. USE THIS! I have seen many damaged motors and skewed MAF Hz. by people improperly cleaning and over oiling there K&Ns.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
DO NOT USE THROTTLE BODY CLEANER ON YOUR MASS AIR SENSOR!!!
The fine filament resistor in the MAF can be easily damaged with to strong a solvent ( TB cleaner). There is a special cleaner for MAFs called Mass Air Sensor Cleaner at your local parts store. USE THIS! I have seen many damaged motors and skewed MAF Hz. by people improperly cleaning and over oiling there K&Ns.
The fine filament resistor in the MAF can be easily damaged with to strong a solvent ( TB cleaner). There is a special cleaner for MAFs called Mass Air Sensor Cleaner at your local parts store. USE THIS! I have seen many damaged motors and skewed MAF Hz. by people improperly cleaning and over oiling there K&Ns.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I've used brake parts cleaner on the maf sensor many times without issue. Try tapping on the sensor and see if the engine changes....if so, your maf is done.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
A small update. Had my girlfriend try to start it after sitting all day. Same issue, runs real rough and then dies. Had her disconnect the negative lead to the battery and then reconnect it. It started and ran fine for a while. She drove it to my house and then it died in the front otf the neighborhood. So my son and I pushed it home from there. At least it is home now so I can work on it. Hopefully tonight I will see if there are any codes and if time permits clean the MAF sensor.
Thanks agains for everyones input.
Thanks agains for everyones input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Over oiling won't usually affect the MAF immedfiately---the oil is wet for awhile--the problem mostly occurs after some time when the oil actually burns from heat cycles and leaves behind some residue
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Check for a loose or bad ground connection for the fuel pump. The connection its on the side of the engine block on the drivers side around the oil filter. You will need to lift the front of the car so you can look under from the bottom. I just fixed that on my 2003, was left loose when I replaced my headers.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
I've seen over-oiled K&N's cause problems with the oil residue getting on the MAF elements on other cars. In fact, Toyota told me they would void my warranty if I put a K&N on the truck due to that problem. I've seen MAFs act like this. I've also seen cats act like this. Even intermittently because the element inside the cat was rolling around. When it got sideways, it would act up.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Another update. Cleaned the MAF sensor with Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner. Reinstalled MAF sensor and still have the exact same issue. I am going to try fuel pressure tonight.
Additional question: When reinstalling the intake and MAF the straps for the air filter came off. I removed everything again to reinstall the straps and upon reinstallation one of the straps came off again. How do you keep these air filter straps attached on the bottom end. Looks like a poor design.
Additional question: When reinstalling the intake and MAF the straps for the air filter came off. I removed everything again to reinstall the straps and upon reinstallation one of the straps came off again. How do you keep these air filter straps attached on the bottom end. Looks like a poor design.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Fuel pressure
Hooked up a fuel pressure gage to the fuel manifold last night. Turned the key on and had 30 PSI, but when you start the engine it immediately drops to 5 PSI. I am going to try the fuel filter first. I am assuming it is in the back by the tank. Does anyone know the exact location? Additionally, what fuel pressure should I be seeing?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,167
From: Dyer, IN
Hooked up a fuel pressure gage to the fuel manifold last night. Turned the key on and had 30 PSI, but when you start the engine it immediately drops to 5 PSI. I am going to try the fuel filter first. I am assuming it is in the back by the tank. Does anyone know the exact location? Additionally, what fuel pressure should I be seeing?
Check for 12 volts and ground, at the fuel pump connector. See if you can hear it run. You can also jump the relay socket, and make it run continuously.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
The fuel filter location varies--but usually it's on the driver's side near the left rear wheel--Its tucked way up there--remember you have 2 fuel tanks--left and right--there is a separate pimp that transfers the right side to the left--
also its hard to remove the filter on your own--even with jackstands- I always just take it to a shop and have them do it on a lift--
also its hard to remove the filter on your own--even with jackstands- I always just take it to a shop and have them do it on a lift--