NEED HELP -1985 Firebird 2.8L 6 cyclinder

[Faye]

Hope someone can help. I have a 1985 Firebird 2.8L 6 cyclinder. She will start up and run. Then all of a sudden the engine light comes on she starts to stumble and quits completely. I can hear the fuel pump running. I have changed the fuel sensor and gas filter (checked the flow of gas at this time and it is pumping). After changing the gas filter she ran good for about a day. I also put in fuel injector cleaner No effect. I even changed the computer. As she begins to stumble the engine light flashes. I am getting no codes from the computer inside the car. She ran great until a week ago. She sounds like she wants to start but is rough and won't stay on. If you let her rest for a long period of time she will start and run again for a little while and then it starts all over again. Any help would be appreciated. Or any insights on what I should check. (All started after I got gas. Wondering if water in tank, or something in gas tank, or some part that once it heats up it sends a message to shut down?)
She is black and gold with T tops. Custom paint job. Also if anyone knows where I can get seat covers that match the original (gray)? Been looking for those.
Thanks
Faye
Can e-mail at fedwards_99@hotmail.com or jebubber11@yahoo.com

[TealV6]

I'm taking a stab in the dark... But it sounds like you might have a clogged cat... try dropping the exhaust at the cat and let her run. See if it studders like you described.

Steve

[MustangEater8251]

don't be tooo surprised about bad gas happened to me once or twice. It could be a clogged CAT also.

[Faye]

Thanks for the help BUT the CAT has no guts Any other thoughts?

[Fullagar]

have you checked the pressure coming out of your fuel pump. i had an 86 camaro with a 2.8 and i had close to the same problem. i would check the pressure, and maybe drop the tank to see if there is any build up of "crap" in the tank itself.(could account why it ran good when you changed the fuel filter then crapped out again.)

Fullagar
94 3.4, K&N fipk, pacesetter cat-back.
93 Z28 stock.

[Faye]

I will check that out. I think it has to be 40psi. It could be that. Thanks so much for the help. :D
Faye

[94bird]

hey Faye what part of NY u from?

[Faye]

Hi I am in Upstate NY about 35 miles south of Albany near the CT and Mass border [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Faye]

I was wondering if I can ask you another question?
After the car starts, I shut the key off and the fuel pump keeps running for aprox. 30 to 40 seconds. While the pump is running with the key off I hear an air leak somewhere in the back of the throttle body under the air plenum. There is little or no fuel pressure at the fuel rail valve. It appears there is some kind of vaccum switch towards the front of the fuel rail. Is that the pressure regulator? Do you have any idea what this air leak can be?
Thanks so much for your time.
Faye

[Fullagar]

well the air leak most likely isnt a fuel thing cause there would be fuel every where. it might be the distributor gasket....but thats just a guess.

Fullagar
94 3.4 auto, K&N fipk, pacesetter cat back
93 Z28 6-speed, stock

[Faye]

Right now I have no idea. It seems it has to be a fuel problem though.
Thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated. If the problem gets solved I will let everyone know. Never can be something real easy. HAHA
Faye

[MustangEater8251]

alright not 100% sure if this can cuase it but under hte hood on te firewal on teh driver side there are 2 little relay boxes with wires hooked to htem I forgot which one is the fuel pump relay, but it controls the fuel pump, I thnk its a $10 part, may consider changing this it might be a cause. I had a similar problem with my cooling fan. And my fuel pump relay was fine but te wrieing harness connected to it crapped out. That was a ***** to figure out I had the test light out and was under the hood of my car checking relays.

[Faye]

Thanks Eric (MustangEater8251) BUT we did replace the fuel pump rely switch. Now we replaced the fuel pump pressure regulator and still Have the same problem. Can it be the fuel pump? It is great that you are all trying to help. I my very thankful for the suggestions. WELL if anyone can think of something else I would love to hear it.
Faye :(

[CD]

FAYE: I have the same engine with the same problem,try taking the distibutor out and replacing the pick up coil and related parts. I tore my engine down to the intake seating surface (intake off,u can see the cam/lifters) and bare heads before i found it.

[Faye]

Thanks CD for the input. Try anything about now except replacing that fuel pump. Which I don't think is the problem at all.
I keep trying
Faye [img]smile.gif[/img]