pliptheshevanel Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) First off, let me give a quick background of the car. I was given a 1987 GL Wagon a couple weeks ago from my girlfriend's aunt because she can no longer drive it, and I desperately needed something easier on gas than my truck to get back and forth to work. The car only has 47,000 miles on it and ran great for the 2 weeks I've had it. The problem began yesterday night. I went out to start it, and it fired right up and idled around 2000-2500 RPM like always. After a few seconds, I pressed the accelerator pedal to lower the idle speed as the big warning sticker says. Anyways, the car just bogged down and died. Tried it again, high idle, pressed gas, sputtered and died. Now when I start the car, it idles hard around 3000 + RPM's and sputters and dies once I press the accelerator. Today I changed the fuel filter with hopes that was the problem. Still getting the same problem. The car is getting gas just not after I press the accelerator. I can sit there with my foot on the pedal and let it warm up, but it sputters and has a pretty bad miss in it. I don't know much about these engines other than having a 2000 Legacy a few years ago. I'm assuming the fuel pump is OK, fuel filter is NEW, air filter is OK, and that's about all I know. Tomorrow I plan on changing the spark plugs, wires, and cap with hopes that fixes the problem, even though I'm sure it won't. I'm almost positive that the plugs in it are more than likely the originals. This car is in GREAT shape, been garage kept and ran every once in a while. It ran great up until yesterday. Also, I noticed today that the hose connecting the breather to the exhaust was cracked and not even connected. This couldn't be the problem, could it? Maybe the heat isn't getting to the choke or carb, therefore it won't run on its own? My Silverado has the same hose going from the manifold to the breather to help warm the engine quicker. That's why I don't think it's the problem on the GL. I'm clueless about it now. Someone please lead me in the right direction and many thanks in advance! Edited February 8, 2011 by pliptheshevanel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Any vacuum lines that are disconnected will cause a high idle. You should check all your hoses as in an older car they could be cracked and leaking. I have personally had a rubber grommit wedge in the throttle cable cam raising the idle. Welcome, and btw, it is considered poor form to bump a post after only 24 Hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Sounds like you've got something partially obstructing a jet in the carb. High idle and bog = lean condition. Just for S&G's, pour some STP gas treatment/carb cleaner in the tank (less than half full if possible). Let it idle 15-20 minutes and then shut it off to soak overnight. Could also be the fuel pump. Just because you're getting fuel doesn't mean you're getting the right pressure or volume. You have to have both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 stp is crap, if you are going to add a fuel cleaner add seafoam, at least that cleaner has detergents in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) I've poured stp straight into carbs that were completely plugged, soaked 24 hours and ran fine. I use it regularly on my '74 Suzuki RE5 rotary engine motorcycle as the carb has no less than 8 jets and is very tempermental to debris. If I don't use it, I have to overhaul every year and a half or so. Works just fine..... And it isn't the detergents in the product that clean up the 'varnish' in the carb, it's the petroleum distillates. Edited February 8, 2011 by skishop69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pliptheshevanel Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks for the help guys. I ran a bottle of generic fuel system cleaner through it as soon as I got the car 2 weeks ago and put another bottle of Lucas fuel system treatment in it last week when I filled it up. It ran great until I started it up Sunday night. Today I went to change spark plugs and wires in it then noticed I don't have the right socket for the plugs! I did get it running long enough to spray carb cleaner all around the intake and around every hose going to the carb and didn't find any leaks where it's sucking air. It starts up fine, but as soon as I put it in gear it wants to stall out unless I get on the accelerator and even then it sounds like it's on its last leg. Tomorrow I'm calling a garage that's pretty close and taking it there (or having it towed there). It can't be anything major, but I just don't have the time or area to work on it (parked at an apartment complex). I'm thinking it may be the fuel pump though, but it gets gas fine at start up????? I'm stumped. I'll let you guys know how things work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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