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Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

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Old 05-06-2019, 02:55 PM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ???
Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

1990 Formula 5.0 TBI. In general, it runs "ok" for a 29 year old car. Main issue is that the motor dies whenever I have to use moderate to heavy braking. i.e., someone pulls out in front of you, light changes to yellow on a street with a decent speed limit. After popping the shifter into neutral, the engine will fire right back up. Any ideas?
Old 05-06-2019, 03:01 PM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Could the "moderate to heavy braking" be impacting Vacuum/MAP causing the stall? Like a vac leak in break booster or in the lines to the Vac ball or Intake? Just bouncing ideas until a Sr member chimes in.
Old 05-06-2019, 11:57 PM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

So basically when the engine is dragged down to idle quickly then it undershoots and dies? Sounds like it could be starved of air.
Old 05-07-2019, 10:18 AM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 TBI
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by 92RS-HeritageEd
Could the "moderate to heavy braking" be impacting Vacuum/MAP causing the stall? Like a vac leak in break booster or in the lines to the Vac ball or Intake? Just bouncing ideas until a Sr member chimes in.
I will check all vacuum lines later this week when I get a chance. Thanks for the tip.
Old 05-07-2019, 10:20 AM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ???
Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
So basically when the engine is dragged down to idle quickly then it undershoots and dies? Sounds like it could be starved of air.
The motor/intake is bone stock, air filter has less than 200 miles on it. I will be doing ultimate tbi upgrade later this spring. Hopefully that will increase airflow.
Old 05-07-2019, 11:09 AM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

I was talking about idle air flow with throttle blade closed. As in throttle blade position, failed IAC valve, vacuum leaks causing idle instability etc...
Old 05-07-2019, 01:04 PM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
I was talking about idle air flow with throttle blade closed. As in throttle blade position, failed IAC valve, vacuum leaks causing idle instability etc...
I see what you are saying. I have an extra IAC valve in my spare TBI unit. I'll swap them out and see if it makes a difference.
Old 05-07-2019, 02:17 PM
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Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

you might try putting a t-fitting in line with the brake booster line, put a vac guage on it, and pump the brakes a bunch. see how vacuum reacts.
Old 05-07-2019, 03:14 PM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Probably not anything to do with vacuum.

More likely, fuel starvation.

Fill the tank. NOT, put gas in it; FILL IT. If it clears up you just found your problem.
Old 05-08-2019, 10:49 AM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

It acts the same whether the tank is full to the filler neck or sitting at a quarter tank.
Old 05-08-2019, 10:58 AM
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Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Well that sucks, because the gas tank problem is certainly an easier fix! I thought Sofa was on to something. These cars are known to have fuel starvation problems when tank is low, but I think general consensus around here is that around 89ish all cars received baffles, which fix the issue. however, the baffles do get old and break from what i have heard. still lots of rumors on this issue
Old 05-08-2019, 11:01 AM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

BTW - you may be able to simulate this problem by just pumping the brakes a bunch while at idle. see if anything happens. easy test.
Old 05-08-2019, 03:33 PM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by LiquidBlue
Well that sucks, because the gas tank problem is certainly an easier fix! I thought Sofa was on to something. These cars are known to have fuel starvation problems when tank is low, but I think general consensus around here is that around 89ish all cars received baffles, which fix the issue. however, the baffles do get old and break from what i have heard. still lots of rumors on this issue
The fuel tank was replaced about 5 years ago. The car sat for about 14 years with about half a tank of gas. It was cheaper to replace than clean.
Old 05-08-2019, 03:44 PM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by loki03xlh
The fuel tank was replaced about 5 years ago. The car sat for about 14 years with about half a tank of gas. It was cheaper to replace than clean.
still got that gas tank? i'm looking for one.
Old 05-08-2019, 06:58 PM
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Probably not anything to do with vacuum.

More likely, fuel starvation.

Fill the tank. NOT, put gas in it; FILL IT. If it clears up you just found your problem.

What he said.... Had it happen, does your tank have the baffles in it?
Old 05-09-2019, 12:52 PM
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Car: 1990 Firebird Formula
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Re: Engine dies after moderate to heavy braking.

Originally Posted by LiquidBlue
still got that gas tank? i'm looking for one.
Sorry, it's long gone.
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