Can't Keep it Running

[TBone78SC]

Newbie here. I've just started experiencing an issue with my '78SC, 60k miles, an all original beauty. It started while coming to a stop the engine died. Restarted pretty quickly, but then started happening more often. Now I can't keep it running. The fuel pump had been making itself noticed by buzzing, so I replaced it thinking (hoping) it was getting ready to give up and causing the problem. The replacement fuel pump sure is quiet, but I'm still having the same issues. Any ideas? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[DRACO A5OG]

Have you checked the fuel pressure or replaced fuel filter ( if you have one ). Maybe injectors are clogged as well. Throw some BG 44K and after a new tank replace the fuel filter???

BTW, She is a beauty. Welcome aboard. SC owners can better chime in.

[ischmitz]

Is this happening only at idle or at any RPM? If the engine dies at idle only and the issue has gotten progressivly worse with time I would look at idle mixture (a.k.a vacuum leaks). Check for leaks in the intake system. For more advanced tests you need special tools to check the control pressure of the CIS system.

If the engine dies at all RPM when hot but restarts easily you could have a failing CDI ignition box.

Ingo

[T77911S]

the mixture may have changed for some reason. either air leaks, making it lean, or control pressures, making it rich (or lean).

when you restart it, how does it idle? any popping? does it surge?

[hrscrk]

i just went thru the same symptom, same prob last week.

turned out to be a combo if dme prob and old gas. replaced dme and cleaned the gas tank.

hope this helps.

[schumicat]

try raising the idle speed (need flattip screwdriver) a little and see if that helps.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by hrscrk

i just went thru the same symptom, same prob last week.

turned out to be a combo if dme prob and old gas. replaced dme and cleaned the gas tank.

hope this helps.

Ed,

Maybe you did not notice it but the guy has a CIS engine not a Motronic like yours. The '78 SC don't even have ECU and OXS in the system.

Tony

[hrscrk]

tx........it's not e z being uneducated.

[TBone78SC]

Thanks for all the responses, I have replaced the fuel filter, no luck. When I can get it started it will idle relatively well for a short period (10 ~ 15 secs) then it stalls. If I leave it sit for a minute, then crank it for a bit it will restart, but then stalls again pretty quickly.

I promised my wife when I bought it that I wouldn't need to keep my mechanic on retainer, let's hope we can figure it out!

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by TBone78SC

Thanks for all the responses, I have replaced the fuel filter, no luck. When I can get it started it will idle relatively well for a short period (10 ~ 15 secs) then it stalls. If I leave it sit for a minute, then crank it for a bit it will restart, but then stalls again pretty quickly.

I promised my wife when I bought it that I wouldn't need to keep my mechanic on retainer, let's hope we can figure it out!

TBone,

Your problem could be simply an out of spec cold control fuel pressure which could be easily adjusted. So investing into a $80-$100 fuel pressure gauge kit would probably the best prudent tool purchase you'll do when owing a car like this. Get some reference maintenance manuals like Bentley, Wayne's 101 book, etc. and you could start tinkering your car's maintenance work.

Tony