So my car magically broke down on the 4th. It started sputtering while driving randomly, then i parked it for a few hours and it wouldn't start. We have no idea what the problem is. We had two guys look at it, one of which worked on engines his whole life, another who just worked on 70 and later cars. there best guesses were timing.... My sister's boyfriend said, timing could be the issue, but it reaks of Gas when we try and start it so it could be the fuel pump. he said maybe the sensors? I don't know. I'll try and post a video on it. Any guesses would be appreciated

 

My first guess when i read that it was sputtering is lack of fuel, usually a sputtering is caused by the engine running way too lean, almost to the point of stalling (sometimes to that point!)

Once i saw where you said it reaks of gas, i was even more inclined to believe that. I would start by looking for any evident leak of gas, my first guess is you have a gas leak.

Check for a leak(s), then if you dont find any you can do a F.P test to be sure that it is/isnt the problem. It could be timing, and timing is fairly is to check, so i would also do that.

Will it start up with starting fluid?

These are the first things, do these and post results and we can go from there.

Good luck

 

Sounds like the fuel pressure regulator broke. (at least, I'm assuming the 6-cyl motors have that? not sure, never even SEEN one of those, but it seems as though it would be necessary)

I would suggest LEAVING THE "TIMING" ALONE. It doesn't just up and change itself out of the clear blue for no reason. LEAVE IT ALONE and work on the "reeks of fuel" problem FIRST.

 

Well we checked the f.p. and it's right on 42, so in the area of normal. We sprayed starting fluid into it and it wouldn't start up. Would the E.C.M. Cause this problem???

 

all vehicles run on the same 3 principles... Air, Spark, and Fuel. Since I'm assuming your getting fuel (via the strong smell and good pressure), ''Timing'' is most likely not your problem. But check to make sure that your getting spark and that something erratic is not happening with your distributor. also, many of these cars have their ICM fail. Good luck

P.S. If you still think it is a fuel problem... clogged injectors perhaps?

 

"Reeks of gas" is a TOO MUCH FUEL problem, not a TOO LITTLE.

Spraying starting fluid in it will just make it worse.

Check the FPR for being BROKEN. When they break, the diaphragm ruptures; and the fuel pump's entire output gets routed through that little vacuum line, right into the intake.