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Help!! Fuel system problems?
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kkaiser80
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Apr 11, 2014, 1:17 PM
Post #1 of 8
(2005 views)
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Help!! Fuel system problems?
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1996 Pontiac grand am SE, 3.1l v6, when started cold and close to out of gas (not out! Like in between 1/4 tank and empty) the last two times the car would start to sputter and die, then the rpms would raise higher up (2000rps), then die and start to sputter, back and forth for thirty seconds to a minute. Then runs perfect. Fuel filter? Pump? Throttle body sticking, faulty gas gauge? What else?
(This post was edited by kkaiser80 on Apr 11, 2014, 1:30 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 11, 2014, 1:28 PM
Post #2 of 8
(2002 views)
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Re: Help!! Fuel system problems?
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In tank fuel pumps are cooled and lubricated by the fuel in the tank. When you run a car out of gas or very low, it pumps a lot of air through the pump which overheats it and causes some severe wear and many times, failure when they cool off.
You will need to use a fuel pressure gauge to verify this
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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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kkaiser80
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Apr 11, 2014, 1:33 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1997 views)
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Yeah I'll see tonight after work. It's got gas in it now. Why does it stop after about a minute? Even when low? |
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nickwarner
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Apr 12, 2014, 1:23 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Help!! Fuel system problems?
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Your fuel gauge on a car this old can be trusted about as much as the word of an ex-wife. The suction tube can have a pinhole that sucks air, the pump can be near shot, or the sending unit giving up the ghost. Also can be an issue with the gauge.
As HT pointed out, your pump is cooled and lubed by the fuel it sits in. So if you are someone who only puts $5 worth of gas in it at a time and drives near empty a lot, you are likely killing an already due for change pump. If you get a cheap pump from Autozone, expect even more issues. If it is from Airtex, do yourself the favor of not putting it in your car.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 12, 2014, 2:40 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: Help!! Fuel system problems?
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Nick, I use Airtex pumps every day and have never had one fail. They are decent pumps.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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nickwarner
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Apr 12, 2014, 11:25 PM
Post #6 of 8
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Maybe they have upped their game lately, but I have seen many early dead especially in vortec applications. If they have proof they turned over a new leaf, I am open to it. Until then I can only go by their abysmal failure record. I go Delphi for all GM because of it.
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kkaiser80
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Apr 13, 2014, 12:09 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1936 views)
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Yeah I've only had the car for a few months, and never let it get below half tank until now, in guessing previous owners did the 5$ in gas at a time. I put fuel in it and it hasn't happened since. I'm going to replace filter and pump as now I know how they were treated? What brand pump do you prefer then?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 13, 2014, 12:20 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Delco is preferred but Airtex will do just fine.
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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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