Engine acts like its flooding.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
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From: Texas
Car: 1987 Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 350 S/B
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.43 Gear Ratio
Engine acts like its flooding.
When I drive my car sometimes it will run fine for hours at a time, but here recently it's been acting as though it floods out. It happens alot after I drive the car normally, with no problems, then get back in, I start it up and the engine idle jumps from around 1200 to almost stalling out. Sometimes it gets better if I mash the throttle for a little while. But recently it wont go over 20 mph and it surges really bad. Smells like it's running rich. Ive adjusted timing to no avail. The engine now will die just out of no where. Mainly as I'm pulling out into traffic. This leads me to believe possible fuel pump issues. But I also wonder if my tbi might be clogged or dirty. This car is a daily driver so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I plan on checking my fuel pressure tomorrow as soon as I replace the water pump that went out today. I'll post my readings when I get them.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
I'd try a fuel filter, best first easiest cheapest thing to try.
Usually (but not always), fuel pumps either work or don't - mine just died on me running down the highway, but others say there's started acting up first and then died.
If it seems to be an issue when warm, might be ignition module issue - its inside distributor under rotor, they go bad from heat.
If it's backfiring any, I'd check plugs/wires/rotor/cap - wires can be bad with no visible signs, might try testing continuity on each (one by one so you don't mess up firing order), should have very little resistance on them. Even new wires out of the box can be bad, I always check continuity on new wires, b/c I've bought bad ones in the past.
Usually (but not always), fuel pumps either work or don't - mine just died on me running down the highway, but others say there's started acting up first and then died.
If it seems to be an issue when warm, might be ignition module issue - its inside distributor under rotor, they go bad from heat.
If it's backfiring any, I'd check plugs/wires/rotor/cap - wires can be bad with no visible signs, might try testing continuity on each (one by one so you don't mess up firing order), should have very little resistance on them. Even new wires out of the box can be bad, I always check continuity on new wires, b/c I've bought bad ones in the past.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 350 S/B
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.43 Gear Ratio
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
I put a filter on it a couple months ago. I'm not getting any backfire. It does happen mostly when it's warm.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 350 S/B
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.43 Gear Ratio
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
Ok so I tried to get a fuel pressure reading today. Bought myself an actron fuel pressure gauge a while back. I put the t-fitting in line before the fuel filter and guess what happens...................the gauge will not screw onto the fitting provided. The threads on the pressure hose are smaller then the threads on the t-fitting. 
I can hear the fuel pump hum as I turn the key though. Now what?? Darn my luck!!!
I can hear the fuel pump hum as I turn the key though. Now what?? Darn my luck!!! 
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 29
From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
You really do want to get that pressure reading. Get the right parts to connect the gauge. The surging idle is most often caused by lean air fuel ratio, which is most often caused by low fuel pressure. If the pressure reads low and you verify that the filter is okay(if there's any doubt, go with camronewbie and replace it), suspect a broken spring in the fuel pressure regulator which is part of the throttle body. You remove the fuel unit from the top of the TB to access the spring cover.
The smell you mention, does it sting your eyes a bit? It may well be NOX from running lean. The smell and no black tail pipe emissions is a good clue. If you are getting black smoke, verify good vacuum signal to the MAP sensor. Then check your TPS and CTS.
The smell you mention, does it sting your eyes a bit? It may well be NOX from running lean. The smell and no black tail pipe emissions is a good clue. If you are getting black smoke, verify good vacuum signal to the MAP sensor. Then check your TPS and CTS.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 350 S/B
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.43 Gear Ratio
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
The smell does sting your eyes just a bit. I've replaces my CTS but mot my TPS. I took my fuel filter off yesterday and it was not dirty nor clogged. I'm still trying to figure out why my fuel pressure guage wont fit together right. I'll get a reading as soon as I can, then I'll start looking at the spring in the fuel pressure regulator.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 350 S/B
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.43 Gear Ratio
Re: Engine acts like its flooding.
Still waiting for Actron to reply to my e-mail about returning my fuel pressure gauge. I guess I'll check into replacing my ignition control module nest. I'm lost and need to figure this out. I'm almost ready to just sell the stupid car. HELP!!!!!
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