engine sounds like it wants to die but doesn't

GMNewProductInfoCenter · March 21, 2002

ok, guys...my turn to ask a question. My 1991 truck sometimes hesitates and feels like it wants to die but only when i have the accelerator steady. it feels like in a manual transmission vehicle when you're in 3rd gear and you really should be in first....the stuttering thing......anyone know what this could be? i just dropped the tank and replaced the fuel pump so it isn't that.

MountaineerTom · March 21, 2002

Check your distributor cap and rotor. My '91 (350) had a stumble similar to what you described one time, and contacts inide the distributor cap and the tip of the rotor had lots of build-up on them. I changed them out and everything was fine. Since I was wrking on it, I went ahead and changed the plugs and wires too.

Good luck, and welcome back.

shmaque · April 5, 2002

Having the same problem on my '94, and so is a friend on his '91 (both 350). I agree - check the distributor - also check for cracks in the magnet which could cause it to think there are more cylinders than are actually there.

I'm losing fuel pressure almost immediately after key-off, and the pump runs for a good 15-20 seconds before I have enough gas up front to start it. Rebuilt the pressure regulator this weekend, but that didn't fix it, and my next step was going to be the fuel pump - interesting to hear that you already did that and it didn't help... Maybe leaky injectors then??

Good luck, and let me know if you find a fix!

GMNewProductInfoCenter · April 5, 2002

replaced the cap & rotor...still giving me the same problems. gonna try the pressure regulator next. i have seen some loss in performance lately.

shmaque · April 5, 2002

Just out of curiosity - have you checked your fuel pressure w/ an inline gauge?

TGS422 · April 5, 2002

Fuel filter??

Could it be something so simple????

shmaque · April 5, 2002

Apparently I was being an idiot in looking for the cause of my fuel pressure drop-off... didn't realize the TBI's were built to do just that...

I'd seriously laugh if this stalling problem turned out to be something as simple as the fuel filter... I'm still leaning towards the injectors, as collectively, people I know with this problem have replaced everything BUT the injectors... at $120 a pop, who wants to try first?