Help!!!

[jjray1]

Okay, will try to explain this so it does not confuse anyone....really weird, maybe catalytic converter???

When the weather is hot even if the car has not been driven yet, it will start, run, die. We can restart it, it will run and die again, restart, run, die. Like I said, it we have no problem starting it and it will run. If it is cool, it will most generally run right now. Also it seems like if you start it and run it slowly, it will do better.

My husband says it acts like some cars used to in the 80s when the alcohol in the gas would heat up,.....

We have tried different gases, but this has not helped either.

We really think it is the catalytic converter.

Any ideas!?!?!?

[dcarrb]

First thing I would do is check engine codes (see how-to docs). Seriously doubt fuel or a catalytic converter has anything to do with the problem; more likely a bad signal from some engine sensor. Good luck.

dcb

[jjray1]

Okay, would you direct me to how-to-docs? Thanks for advice.

[Hocrest]

In the top right corner of every page.

[greggbzz]

I had an 86 honda with a seriously clogged air filter that acted like that.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by jjray1

Okay, will try to explain this so it does not confuse anyone....really weird, maybe catalytic converter???

When the weather is hot even if the car has not been driven yet, it will start, run, die. We can restart it, it will run and die again, restart, run, die. Like I said, it we have no problem starting it and it will run. If it is cool, it will most generally run right now. Also it seems like if you start it and run it slowly, it will do better.

My husband says it acts like some cars used to in the 80s when the alcohol in the gas would heat up,.....

We have tried different gases, but this has not helped either.

We really think it is the catalytic converter.

Any ideas!?!?!?

If it is caused by a bad sensor then in general this sensor will be monitored by the computer and "throw a code". You can see how to check for these at the top of the page.

I said "in general" because on rare occasions there have been duff sensors, and for some reason no code showed up. This can make it hard to fault find.

What you have described does indeed sound like the bad old days, no fuel getting up to the carbs. As it happens mostly on hot days, if it transpires that no sensor codes are shown, possibly have a look at the fuel supply, just to see you have continuous feed from the tank.

What would explain what you describe could be the engine starts and uses what is in the fuel filter. Then, if you have a leak or a break in the line up to the filter or else a poor pump in the tank that is letting the fuel drain back to the tank when the car is standing, the car starts on the fuel in the filter, gets a break in supply and cuts out for safety.

When you turn on the ignition again, the pump rebuilds the fuel pressure, so it will start again, but maybe cut out again if another break in supply happens.

I would suspect a poor fuel pump, they do wear out.

It could also be a dodgy foot-valve in the tank, a defective fuel pressure regulator, or maybe even a leak or obstruction in the line up to the filter.

My hunch is a bad fuel pump. They are not too expensive, if that's what you have to replace.

Joe

[Suby Fan]

ok.... is the check engine light on? the list could go on and on as to what it could be due to the fact that almost every sensor under your hood has to do with fuel metering or idling the engine... if no codes it could be a vacuum leak coolant temp sensor or a MAF. but check the codes first