Besides my recent transmission problems, something else popped up and I have no idea what's going on.

I apologize for this being so long, but I wanted to try and give as many details as possible.

While driving on a flat road (40+ MPH) and giving it some extra pedal, (like around half) the car acts like it's running out of gas, but if I back off the pedal to a certain point, it seems fine. When it started doing this, I didn't immediatly realize about reducing the pedal and tried giving it more, thinking it would get more gas and then it really acted like it was running out. It stopped running several times and I almost called my free tow service until I figured out how to keep it running.

When this happens, it will not start unless I let it sit for a few minutes. To keep it running, I have to start out very slow and work my way up to the desired speed, but still can't step on the pedal much or it will act like it's running out of gas and die again, so I don't even try to get on the freeway. I guess I can change the fuel filter again, but it's really not that old.

Before this problem, I replaced a lot of parts on the car and the control module died about a year ago and left me stranded and had to be replaced. The pickup coil was also replaced as a preventative measure.

The TPS really isn't that old and I unplugged it for limp mode (which immediately threw a code after restart) and it still did the same thing. The MAP isn't that old either.

I just don't understand why letting out of the pedal makes it run without stalling and even has a little power to go up hills. I don't have the money to pay someone to diagnose it, and at this time I am barely able to pay for the pump if that's the problem. I am now disabled and have my daughter to support, so income is tight.

It's an 89 RS TBI with a 350 swap that was done in 2002 and it just started doing this a couple days ago. All the vacuum lines are fine and a couple are new.

It is intermittent. Sometimes I can step on the gas and it has power.

It is now my only means of transportation because my Regal died and went to the scrapyard.

Getting rid of this car is NOT an option for me. My mom gave it to me the night before she died, so the sentimental value is beyond high.

Any suggestions will be extremely appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I had a similar problem when I got the 94 GMC started that my grandpa left me. It turned out to be the fuel filter. Changed that out and the spark plugs and the thing ran like new.

 

I changed the fuel filter today and there was a bunch of black crud that came out and you could barely blow through it. I thought gas stations had filters in their lines? This was nasty! And I could have sworn the thing was changed not long ago, but I guess I was wrong.

Seems to be running fine now! Had a heck of a time getting the line loose on the TB side while laying under the car. I'm not built for it, but I am mechanically inclined, which helps and I figured it out.. With the help of a hammer. My son has muscle, but if you were to ask him to go get your bolt stretcher and describe it to him, he would probably go look for it. He's not mechanically inclined at all. I would of had him loosen it, but I couldn't track him down today. My uncle is 60 and had quadruple bypass, so he couldn't do it, and like I said, money is very tight right now and paying someone was out of the question.

I wonder how long a fuel pump lasts? The car has a little over 200,000 miles on it and someone said when it goes, buy a new Bosh pump because they have some improved turbine or whatever? I dunno... I just know how to change things that are bad. lol

 

I had to put a new fuel pump in the GMC too, I went with a delphi I believe. It works great, definitely no complaints.

 

I'm just glad it's running better. I still can't get over how bad a fuel filter can clog like that.

There are still a few things I need to do and one priority is to adjust the TV cable, which I wanted to do today, but didn't get the chance. It shifts into 3rd by the time it's going 23mph, but is difficult getting it into 4th under 60 and I also need figure out which rod has been knocking for the past 8 years and replace it along with the piston.

The 350 block came from a truck that was severely overheated, causing both heads to crack, so it must have damaged the piston or rod because the engine was rebuilt before doing the swap in 2002 and has knocked ever since. It only sounds like one is knocking and only does it after the car is warmed up, but it is so bad that you can actually feel it if you put your fingers on the valve cover or intake. I honestly don't know why it hasn't blown by now and I've had it up to some pretty darn high RPMs. Sounds like it's coming from the right rear of the engine. I can get the piston and rod for $40 used. Knocks bad if you give it some gas and let up, but not so bad when you put it in gear and go.

Anyway, I can't afford to do that right now, so I will continue to take my chances and hope it doesn't fly out the side of the block.

 

I understand the priority thing, I gotta get an electric fan setup for the car. I bought it without a lower fan shroud and threw a flexalite fan on it we had laying around the shop but it still gets hot sitting in traffic. Its only $230 dollars though and I'm picking up a few ponies but I was wanting to spend it on a really nice spectre setup. Run it behind the drivers headlight (reservoir is removed) and actually block it off from the engine bay. Oh well.