Frustrating fuel issue !! HELP
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Frustrating fuel issue !! HELP
I am looking for some help on a problem I am having with my 2002 Corvette, I have had it since new, it is lightly modded, long tube headers, x-pipe, exhaust, cold air intake, tune, nothing major, but pretty cool... 180,000 miles..
I start the car fires up well, drive a bit less than a mile (low speed residential area) starts to bog a lower speed (it appears you can power over it, but i don't because something is wrong)
I have driven it for about 15 minutes (in residential ares NO stop lights) "limp home" turn car off, it will not start again for 15 minutes to 1 hour
I replaced the fuel filter about 400 miles ago
I replaced the main fuel pump yesterday, (not passenger side)
Did not fix !!!!
I cant imagine it could be the filter (to easy) or the tune
ANY THOUGHTS ????
Thank -you in advance for any input
DMP
I start the car fires up well, drive a bit less than a mile (low speed residential area) starts to bog a lower speed (it appears you can power over it, but i don't because something is wrong)
I have driven it for about 15 minutes (in residential ares NO stop lights) "limp home" turn car off, it will not start again for 15 minutes to 1 hour
I replaced the fuel filter about 400 miles ago
I replaced the main fuel pump yesterday, (not passenger side)
Did not fix !!!!
I cant imagine it could be the filter (to easy) or the tune
ANY THOUGHTS ????
Thank -you in advance for any input
DMP
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Sure sounds like a restriction. So you change the filter after it was acting up?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 4,356
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I’d be tempted to look at that fuel filter. Possible it did it’s job and has a restriction.
Another issue with similar symptoms is the MAF, but I suspect there would a code. Sounds like you’re on top of maintenance, but have you checked the air filter and MAF for contamination or blockage recently?
Another issue with similar symptoms is the MAF, but I suspect there would a code. Sounds like you’re on top of maintenance, but have you checked the air filter and MAF for contamination or blockage recently?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
cleaned MAF sensor as well as EMBARRASSINGLY dirty throttle body as well as 2 new K&N filters at the same time as plugs fuel filter and water pump..
fuel filter would be an easy FANTASTIC fix !!! (its never that easy...)
Kind of like when a non car person is having a problem and they ask you (knowing you are a car guy) "do you think it could be a fuse?" IT'S NEVER A FUSE !!!! LOL
fuel filter would be an easy FANTASTIC fix !!! (its never that easy...)
Kind of like when a non car person is having a problem and they ask you (knowing you are a car guy) "do you think it could be a fuse?" IT'S NEVER A FUSE !!!! LOL
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,615
Likes: 4,062
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Is it a “crank no start” when it doesn’t start ??…if it just cranks does your Tach seem to move during cranking ??…this may point to a bad crank sensor…what diagnostics did you do that lead you to changing the fuel pump ??….if the Tach does move try spraying Brake Kleen into the intake manifold at the PCV or brake booster and see if the car attempts to start…was a fuel pressure gauge used in diagnosing your bad pump ??
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Car starts like nobodies business then runs poorly (after about 3/4 mile) 15 minutes of driving bring home NO START
I had a fuel pressure gauge on the rail that was reading 25 lb then broke after third start (so i don't know how much I trust it) , then installed new pump, just assumed it was the pump getting warm, possibly dying a slow death...
As I said let it sit for 15-45 minutes fire right up, will still bog down at low RPM so have no trust in it...
I had a fuel pressure gauge on the rail that was reading 25 lb then broke after third start (so i don't know how much I trust it) , then installed new pump, just assumed it was the pump getting warm, possibly dying a slow death...
As I said let it sit for 15-45 minutes fire right up, will still bog down at low RPM so have no trust in it...
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Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,615
Likes: 4,062
From: Cape Coral, Florida
All I can say is check your fuel pressure again after buying or renting another pressure gauge…if pressure is still low you can try a voltage drop check on the positive and negative side of the pump…high resistance in the circuit will give you low pump pressure….also check the other things I mentioned…you need to gather data to help in your diagnosis so you just don’t shotgun parts.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,657
Likes: 7,296
From: CT
First stop should be to run the codes in the DIC.
If nothing glaring, next stop is to check the filter as a first step this weekend.
Also refresh the ground in driver rear footwell closest to the back near the muffler. Even if it is not an issue, it is a good thing to do and only takes five minutes.
180k and the grounds for sure need some love.
Bret had suggested to me the use of a product called No-Ox to secure grounds. I haven't used it on the car but it has some abuse on my lawn mowers so far.
If nothing glaring, next stop is to check the filter as a first step this weekend.
Also refresh the ground in driver rear footwell closest to the back near the muffler. Even if it is not an issue, it is a good thing to do and only takes five minutes.
180k and the grounds for sure need some love.
Bret had suggested to me the use of a product called No-Ox to secure grounds. I haven't used it on the car but it has some abuse on my lawn mowers so far.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 412
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Could be water in the fuel. Do you live somewhere that just got a lot of rain? If you use 10% Ethanol fuel (most is) the water can bond with the ethanol. The car will start fine and then the water will form ice crystals in the injectors after a few minutes. You could try to drain the fuel and re-fill with non-ethanol fuel. Alternately, try a bottle of fuel dryer.