Help! No go!
 

In an earlier post I described how my car had NO POWER until it was good and warm. In fact, I had trouble getting up the drive way. I attributed the problem to the OLD GAS - very old gas.

Last night I drained the fuel tank and added some fresh gas (about 1/2 gallon - thats all I had left). Well, when I was finished with the job, I COULD NOT get the car to go. It RAN fine, idled well, but when I put it in gear, there seemed to be so much load, the car would move! Put it back in neutral and it came up to idle speed and sounded good.

I backed the car out (rolled back) and tried again, but the car simply did not have enough power to get up the drive. I eventually made it in by BACKING the car in, and that barely made it into the garage!

Here are my thoughts:

1. Too much oil? I don't have a dip stick so I rely on the oil level gauge. It said 6 liters, I added two quarts. Could I have OVERFILLED the oil? What are the results of overfilling and engine?

2. Not enough gas in the tank. Only added 1/2 gallon... [But, it idled fine and I was able to back the car in.] Remember: this happened with the old gas, too.

Some one PLEASE help!

Brad

Did you do a compression test? Are you blowing any smoke? If it's warm does it have decsent power?

First of all I'd add more gas. The lines take a fair amount of gas to fill up and I'd think you still have old bad gas on it. I put 10 gallons in the first time to dilute the old gas left. The MFI hardlines will have another little bit of gas (not that much) it really neeeds to have that cleared out to know your running on good gas.

Also when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

It may be bad gas but I suspect a clogged fuel filter. Just not enough gas getting to the cylinders so when you put it in gear there is no power. Other possibilities are clogged air filter or fuel pump going bad. Might even be a fair amount of water in the gas tank. I would drain the gas, or at the very least do what Tim suggest and add a bunch of new gas. I would also change the fuel and air filter, the spark plugs and run a bottle of Techron thru the fuel system. By the way Brad, I am going to be in KC a couple of times over the next two weeks and I would be more than happy to drop by and check out your car.

Tim: I'VE never changed the fuel filter since I've had it (5 years) but I have probably only driven it about 20 miles since I got it (don't ask). I have started the car every so often, though.

I have driven the car (bad gas and all) a few weeks ago around the block a few times (no insurance = no joy rides) so this problem has come up in the last week or so. The only change since then was the addition of the oil and the draining of the fuel tank.

Allenk: I am not blowing any smoke. I have not done compression test as I don't have the tools to do the job. The car was warm when this happened.

When my car runs out of gas it has the exact same symptoms, I would put more gas in and see if that helps.

Tim
84 3.2

The short drive was probably all it took to pull either water or varnish up into the fuel filter. As I previously stated, assuming you drained the fuel tank, new fuel and air filter, new spark plug, new points, new distributor cap, new rotor and I think you will be back in business.

Kurt,

You have a PM

I'd be interested in how the pugs read. I thought your earlier post mentioned one side was lean and the othe very rich/oily? Am I thinking of the wrong car?

I have to agree with the fuel suspicions. Too much oil is not going to cause this. Ignition does not change fast, but should be checked since that's easy. I think you have bad gas mixed with crud. And having the tank nearly empty will compound this problem. I'd remove the gas tank (not that hard) and flush well, including the screen. Then blow out all the fuel lines and start over with fresh gas, and fresh fuel filter.

If the car has been sitting with a low level of fuel in the tank, then I am doubly suspicious.

Heres my dilemma:

When the car is idling, it runs ok. When I put it in GEAR (sportomatic) and give it gas, I just rolled down the hill. Take it out of gear and its back to idle. Still a fuel problem?

Yep.

Okay, let me elaborate. Old cars COMMONLY have issues with rust in the fuel system. It flakes and gathers in the fuel lines, plugging them. So, fuel can flow, at least enough to idle, but when it's time to make power and use more gas volume, the line cannot do the job because of the rust restriction.

Couldn't he disconnect the main fuel line at the engine and have someone crank to check fuel flow? Of course catching the fuel in a can. Seems easier than just starting to take things apart.