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Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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GBurden
New User
Aug 4, 2011, 1:11 AM
Post #1 of 8
(4070 views)
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Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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1994
Chevy
Gladiator Van
5.71 V8 Engine
114,950 miles
There's a long line of issues over the past two weeks so I'll start from the beginning.
During a drive I was stopped at a light when I noticed my van had shut off. Though the fuel meter showed I had a quarter of a tank left, I immediately realized that the floater was probably off, as a friends vehicle has the same problem. I'm still sure of this because upon filling the tank I was only able to put in 16 gallons of the 32 gallon tank. Despite it being only about half full the meter showed three quarters, so I definitely know that the fuel gauge is off.
Despite having plenty of gas now, my vehicle acted the same, shutting off at stop lights, or immediately after accelerating from one. I checked the spark plugs, which are fine. I then changed the fuel filter, and put some cleaner in the gas tank. The vehicle started up great, and ran very well. The next time I started it, only a few hours later, it sputtered, and would not stay on. Eventually getting it to work, my service engine light came on. I then cleaned the carburetor and air filter, and the light has not come on since. It again started great, and ran very well. Again, only a few hours later it was having trouble starting, along with acceleration issues, and shut offs at stop lights.
When the vehicle does start, often, the exhaust emits a sputtering sound while idling or in operation. It's also made sounds as if someone is pressing on the accelerator, while completely idle, as if the engine is "heaving." On times where I have to really force it to start, the gas smells especially foul.
Today it has gotten worse. It's had the most trouble starting yet, and even after letting it idle and warm up, would shut off immediately upon shifting into reverse or drive. After getting it to work, the acceleration issues continued. In a 45 speed limit zone the van would not accelerate above 35 miles per hour, and eventually shut off. While my friend gave his own attempts to restart it, after the vehicle sputtered down and shut off a clanging could be heard inside the gas tank, as if someone was dropping a metal ball inside it.
All fluids were changed in January, however, the van has been driven very scarcely. Only in the past month has it begun to be used heavily, driving across my small town on a regular basis, about 3 to 4 times a week.
These are all the "symptoms" I can list. Help would be greatly appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 4, 2011, 8:31 AM
Post #2 of 8
(4032 views)
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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This doesn't have a carburetor - that's a throttle body unless somehow GM made a late carb.
I suggest a fuel pressure test first or a full professional diagnosis - you can decide to do the work or not. If vehicle is in nice shape overall it's probably worth some investment even at the age the low miles count too and utility vehicles get used up like this one by all sorts or trades or reasons,
T
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GBurden
New User
Aug 4, 2011, 9:21 AM
Post #3 of 8
(4024 views)
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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Yes, it is a throttle body. My apologies. Other people have suggested a fuel pressure test. The vehicle has been hooked up to a diagnostic machine and showed no problems.
The vehicle is in very good shape and ran very very well prior to all these problems. This morning I checked all of the hoses connecting to the throttle body and they're all fine, no cracks. I have a friend in town who is going to help me with it, he's looked at it this morning and says that the throttle bodies jets still sound clogged. Other people have suggested that the screen inside the gas tank is clogged and needs to be replaced. Others say the fuel pump, though from what I know if there was a problem with the fuel pump it wouldn't start at all, correct?
The throttle body still being clogged makes the most sense to me, as it's been so intermittent about starting.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 4, 2011, 10:56 AM
Post #4 of 8
(4013 views)
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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No need to apologize we are here to help suggest based on what you wrote as best we can without being there so some things are tricky.
Reading between the lines at some suggestions you have they aren't pro technicians and guessing. That's why I already suggested paying for the pro diagnosis and target the problem(s) and don't get caught up in just tossing everything in sight out till you stumble onto the real troubles.
Fuel injectors can frequently be cleaned and the right shop may have the equipment to do that. Fuel gauge apparently doesn't work properly so that needs tending to and may because of the noise you hear be the problem. I can't know from here what the heck is making noise in the tank like mentioned but it needs tending to if it does need a whole tank and the gauge sender which should be attached to fuel pump.
Can't say if you can ignore that or not? Fuel pressure readings would be telling so as said should be a first step. If you let this van run improperly for too long you'll need converter(s) too at huge expense. Trying to save you unnecessary problems by not having this professionally diagnosed,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 4, 2011, 11:05 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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The diagnostic test you refer to is not but a code scan which doesn't tell you anything. You need to read the fuel pressure.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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GBurden
New User
Aug 4, 2011, 1:59 PM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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I will try my best to get a pro diagnostic done on it. I would like to know, however, why the fuel pressure reading is so important?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 4, 2011, 2:17 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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Carb vs Fuel Injection: Carbs from back when where using vacuum naturally created in an engine and the "venturi" effect and fuel pumps essentially were just to keep the carb properly filled with fuel. A fuel injector is in essence (no pun on the word) pushing fuel in via spraying it under much higher pressures and it becomes critical for proper injector action.
Hope that explains it a bit anyway,
T
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GBurden
New User
Aug 4, 2011, 2:35 PM
Post #8 of 8
(3995 views)
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Re: Several issues with 1994 Chevy Gladiator Van
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It did, thank you.
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