AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Well once again a problem has occurred with the 84. Just to fill everyone in it is an 84 with a 330 crate engine, however we kept the crossfire. On to the problem: I had been going out and starting the vette and pulling it in the driveway to let it idle since it hadn't been being used during the winter months, and about after 15 minutes of idling it would sputter, bog down and stall. I have been driving it more and more now that the nice weather has made its way north. When I am driving it and when i press the accelerator it kinda falls on its face if you know what I mean. It is like it either is clogged somewhere and either can't suck any air into the intake, or there is a fuel problem. I really don't know much seeing as how I started out with a Honda and learned more about imports than the classic GMs. If anyone has ideas point me in that direction. I have already looked into EGR valve and didn't see a problem, and my next guess is a clogged catalytic converter. I shall look into that in the next few days. Thx to anyone in advance.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

sounds like a fuel problem to me. check the fuel pressure on the rail. it wouldnt hurt to change the fuel filter too since they cost $5-10 and take 10 mintues to replace. Any codes being thrown? Let me know what happens when you check the fuel system and we can go from there

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Thx for the insight. However I must ask where is the fuel filter located. I have to believe that the fuel filter is a good chance where the problem lies. The car sat for quite some time before starting back up for driving purposes. I am pretty sure that the fuel line runs down the driver side of the car. Correct me if I am wrong. Thx again for all help.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

On my 86, the fuel lines run down the passenger side. The fuel filter is located underneath the passenger footwell along the chassis. I would doubt that its any different on your '84. Make sure you relieve the fuel pressure before you remove the old filter.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

great call on the fuel filter raisinbran sir! $8.15 and 10 minutes of my time equals no more running rough and stalling. now i just need to figure out why the vette isn't putting down the power it used to and all will be good. i'm thinking toque converter will be my next task to turn this bad boy back into the beast it is. thx again for all you insight.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

well i guess i was a little too anxious, but my same problem still occurs. it ran pretty good right after the fuel filter install, but the next day it was back to the same. so i'm thinking maybe fuel pump now since it wasnt the fuel filter causing this sputtering, bogging, not wanting to go, stall out bull. injectors seem fine. i dunno, any other insight? thx

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

yea that could definately be it too. is there any way you can get a fuel pressure gauge to check the pressure? that would be the easiest way to tell. but it does not take that much effort to pull out the fuel pump and take a look. see if the strainer is still intact, and not clogged up. you could also do a fuel flow test...im not sure on the specifics of that test, but it will let you know how ur pump is working as well. is the pump louder than normal? thats what happened when mine was going out

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

I have been looking, but I can not find the fuel pump. So......where is it at? Doesn't sound like too tough of a job, I will be attempting as soon as I find the pump. Thx.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Its inside the fuel tank. you acces it by removing the little rubber covering around the fuel filler, detach the hoses and wires, unscrew the bolts, and take the whole filler assembly out. i may have missed some steps but you can figure it out.. make sure you disconnect the neg battery cable beforehand. go to autozone and buy the haynes manual for $25. its not as good as the FSM, but it is great for little jobs like that.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Just a thought here, could it be possible that your fuel is stale? Did you use a fuel stabilizer when you stored your car? Stale gas runs very poor. Good Luck.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Thx raisinbran, however that is what i was afraid of. I will give it a go this weekend and post results.

As for the stale gas idea, that was my very first thought. But I am on my third tank of 93 octane, so I have ruled that out.

Thx, I appreciate all the help.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

If I am not mistaken, isn't your 84 a cross fire engine? Make sure both injectors are pulsing fuel. I think the cross fire fuel pressure should be around 12 - 15 lbs, but don't have specs in front of me. Have you check ignition timing? If you do set timing, make sure you unplug the base timing connector (brown wire with a black stripe located near master cylinder and breaks out of the wiring loom) to set timing. This will set a code and check engine light, but you can disconnect your battery for a couple of minutes and it will clear. After setting timing, kill engine, plug back in and restart. Not saying this is your problem, but always check the basics first. [8D]

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Thx mech259, and you reply brings a question to mind. Would a fuel pump going out thrpw a check engine light? When the car stalls and dies the cel will come on. Thx

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

one time when i ran out of gas, the SES light came on. It ended up being a lean reading from the O2 sensor because there was not enough fuel. Do you know how to check your engine trouble codes??

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

No, not with the vette. with my other vehicle i can use a paper clip to jump it and the code is shown in a series of flashes. is there a similar procedure i can try? Thx

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Check codes the same way as all GM's before 95 - 96. Running out of fuel in an 84 will not set a code. 84's have what is called Class 1 data and the data stream does not have provisions for fuel level or pressure. If anything, it might set a lean O2 code if you are trying to drive it while the fuel pump is putting out low pressure. Is your check engine light on? Shorting the upper right hand terminals will produce your CE light to blink codes. You will get the code 12 first, pay it no mind, only what comes afterward.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Well here is the final update. I finally went ahead and installed the fuel pump last night, and man what a difference. This whole time it was the fuel pump causing my problems. It is nice to be able to pull up to a stop light now and not have to worry about the car stalling. So again I say thankyou to all who shed light on the troubles of my Vette. The only wasted money on this project was the fuel filter, but hell that was less than $9. This was a great learning experience with a good outcome. See you guys in the fast lane :)

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

[sm=icon_cheers.gif] Glad to hear you solved your problem. Make sure you install a new strainer on the fuel pump. Ask me how i know.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

I was wondering about that. I actually was surprised no to see one included with the new fuel pump. So, why do say it needs to be changed? Fill me in.

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

Manufacturers never put a strainer in with the pumps. Makes to much sense. (LOL). That is the kind of idiocrocy I fight every day in my auto repair business. Oh, head gasket set with cam seals, why would we want to do that. Have to buy them seperate. HA

RE: AH LA PROBLEMO
 

A mod to help your 84 breath: Your hood actually seals to the breather-but the intake point at the front of those ram air tubes ,on the hoods underside aren't sealed to anything. Cut a hole to match the oval at the leading edge of the underside of the hood(directly in front of the spare tire tool) then use weatherstrip to seal the two openings. Instant ram-air and cooler outside air!