The strangest thing happened just a hour ago. I was at the drive window at Sav-On when my car started lopping as if it was about to run out of gas, only it has a full tank. It would start for a few seconds going cacunk, cacunk and then die. I called AAA and while waiting for a Tow truck (20 minutes or so) and try it again and amazingly it starts right up and runs normal, except for a strong odor (like burnt rubber) and I drove home.
Now I'm afraid it might do it again. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

TUNE UP including fuel filter, also invest on getting the injectors cleaned

 

you may be loosing your fuel pump, though i don't know where the burned rubber smell would come int.

 

Might be burning spark plug wires

 

I did all of the above, but the same thing happened again tonight and after 15 minutes of waiting it started up and ran fine. Could this be a case of vapor lock? Is it possible for a fuel pump to act up one minute and then start working fine the next?

 

have your ignition module checked at a local parts store

 

Act up, Yes, Vapor lock no - difficult to do when the pump is submerged in gasoline and as you stated the tank is full.

 

id say def a fuel pump. when they burn out they overheat. you can run it until the pump warms up then it will die. you might be able to limp on it for a while as long as you have a FULL (and i mean full) tank of gas. the gas will cool it down to a point but you still need to replace it.


good luck, changing a fuel pump sucks major a$$ on our cars unless you cut your hatch floor...