Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

VANITY - Car Question
12/1/05 | Bear_Slayer

Posted on 12/01/2005 10:28:11 AM PST by Bear_Slayer

Can any Freeper suggest a good online resource for car questions? I have the Chilton manual for the car, but I looking to pick someone's brain.

Specifically: I need detailed information to solve a fuel problem for a 88 Chevy Spectrum.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: callamechanic; car; hoopdie
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 next last
To: Bear_Slayer

Everyone should have a Slant 6 at one time in their lives.


21 posted on 12/01/2005 10:54:23 AM PST by freedomlover (This Fall a Woman will be the Mother of a Mouse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
Actually it worked without a hitch for over 6 months until I got around to pulling the gas tank. No smoking in the car tho :)
22 posted on 12/01/2005 10:58:29 AM PST by freedomlover (This Fall a Woman will be the Mother of a Mouse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
Make sure there is no water in the tank - some gas antifreeze should do the trick. Make sure the gas cap seals as it should - an old worn cap can cause similar problems. Have the throttle position sensor checked - it can cause hard starting, stalling at low rpm and have it seem to run OK at higher speeds.

Good Luck

23 posted on 12/01/2005 11:00:13 AM PST by trebb ("I am the way... no one comes to the Father, but by me..." - Jesus in John 14:6 (RSV))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freedomlover

"Everyone should have a Slant 6 at one time in their lives."

LOL..When I was younger I bought a 61 AC Ace without an engine. The only engine I could find that fit was a Plymouth slant 6 and had it installed. Now I had this hot little Cobra lookalike. Unfortunately, it sounded like a greyhound bus as I roamed the streets of Southern Cal..Thanks for the reminder.


24 posted on 12/01/2005 11:00:42 AM PST by RTINSC (What, Me Worry?..My company offers French benefits...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: TChris

Wow, I've found the opposite: Chiltons seems positively wordy compared to the Haynes manual I just bought for an old F150.


25 posted on 12/01/2005 11:00:54 AM PST by ladyrustic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer

Try replacing the O2 sensor. Bad O2 sensor will cause the car to act sluggist or like it is lugging and will also key the check engine light.


26 posted on 12/01/2005 11:01:01 AM PST by Flying Circus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Flying Circus

Thanks.


27 posted on 12/01/2005 11:05:26 AM PST by Bear_Slayer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer

Sounds like you may have a faulty or clogged inline fuel filter.


28 posted on 12/01/2005 11:05:32 AM PST by Quilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer

"All-Data" . often available at libraries on cd rom.


29 posted on 12/01/2005 11:08:27 AM PST by Rakkasan1 (Peace de Resistance! Viva la Paper towels!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Quilla

I disconnected the fuel line from the pump and then ran my compresssor into the tank. Clear, clean fuel, jets nicely out of the line. The pump is 2 months new. I replaced the fuel filter yesterday. It's getting fuel.


30 posted on 12/01/2005 11:08:56 AM PST by Bear_Slayer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer

If replacing the fuel filter didn't fix it, you have an intermittent problem with the fuel pump, presumably electric.

Replace that.

Don't worry about the O2 sensor - yours probably gave up long ago, and in any case won't give symptoms like yours.

Ah, one other thing: make sure your fuel tank vent is working properly, letting air in to replace fuel removed. If not you could be drawing a vacuum, preventing fuel from leaving!


31 posted on 12/01/2005 11:12:04 AM PST by Redbob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
Further info: It acts fuel starved

A little more info might help:

Does act like this at high speeds?

At idle?

Upon acceleration?

All the time?

When you reach a a certain RPM?

There are different reasons for each incident.

32 posted on 12/01/2005 11:14:17 AM PST by raybbr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
http://cartalk.com

Like FR, you have to register to post.

33 posted on 12/01/2005 11:16:59 AM PST by floozy22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
I have this picture in my mind of a flaming Dart.

Here's another mental picture for you:

I had an old Chevy Vega back in the '80s. A small hole in the floor had rotted out under the drivers feet, but I didn't know it because it was covered by carpeting & insulation. In the middle of rush hour traffic on Woodward Ave. the insulation sagged down and was laying on the hot exhaust pipe right underneath. Just about the time I thought I smelled something burning or melting, the carpeting under my feet burst into flames that were shooting up over my knees.

Thank God it was in the middle of winter - I yanked the steering wheel, went up over the curb and drove across somebody's yard that was deep with snow. The hole underneath scooped the snow and put out the flames. Clouds of black smoke were pouring out of the car. Needless to say - it was a bit embarassing when other motorists kept stopping and asking if I wanted the Fire Department called. What a car!

For those of you who don't remember - the Vega was the little car with the aluminum engine. The engine ran forever - but the cheap body rusted out in no time. Ever hear an aluminum engine after the muffler has fallen off? I'm surprised you didn't hear mine! It sounded like a Titan rocket at launch time.

34 posted on 12/01/2005 11:27:08 AM PST by Tokra (I think I'll retire to Bedlam.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord

Sell it for scrap.

Exactly!!


35 posted on 12/01/2005 11:34:38 AM PST by JoeSixPack1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Loyal Buckeye

Yup. Sounds like a plugged cat.


36 posted on 12/01/2005 11:38:53 AM PST by Rate_Determining_Step (US Military - Draining the Swamp of Terrorism since 2001!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Bear_Slayer
Are you using ethanol enriched gas? Depending on the blend some a lot of the 80's cars barf with ethanol. It eats away the seals along the entire fuel system.

I had an 86 Accord and it took only 4 tanks of Ethanol enriched to completely destroy the fuel pump.

37 posted on 12/01/2005 11:41:26 AM PST by commish (Freedom Tastes Sweetest to Those Who Have Fought to Preserve It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tokra

Ha ha ha! The car guys that have the radio show of a similar name had their top ten worst cars of all time on a webpage. Of course, the Vega made the list, as did it's Ford counterpart, the Maverick. Yugo was #1 worst of all time. Anyhow the vega story (they had an actual listener story with each car) was awesome! Something like the guy had a rusty Vega, was crossing a hideously bumpy railroad crossing, heard his car buckle - looked left and the rear end of his car was swinging around, smashed his door and mirror! I haven't laughed so hard in ages. The frame broke in two and his rear end smashed his front end! The story brings tears of laughter!


38 posted on 12/01/2005 11:49:32 AM PST by mallardx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: TChris

Don't forget everyone's favorite: "Assembly is the reverse of disassembly" - like, yeah, duh, but most things come apart a lot easier than they go together.


39 posted on 12/01/2005 11:54:04 AM PST by -YYZ-
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: freedomlover

My first car was a '66 Plymouth Valiant with that engine. No power steering, no power brakes, and no A/C (with vinyl seats).

It ran like a top, although it was extremely dangerous in the snow.


40 posted on 12/01/2005 11:56:13 AM PST by scott7278 (Before I give you the benefit of my reply, I'd like to know what we're talking about.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson