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I'll try to explain this as best as I can. I have an 89 Firebird (black) with 43,000 original miles.. Bought it brand new in April 89. Change the oil in the fall and spring weather there is 3000 miles on it or not. Last December it started acting like it wasn't getting any gas. I would come to a stop, accelerate and the car doesn't want to go, but if I floor it I have no problem, it goes. From December till June it was in the shop on 5 separate occasions. The first visit was for a coolant leak at the timing chain cover, they replaced the cover and pump gaskets. OK everything is fine except for a 500.00 bill. In March was when the erratic idle started, they cleaned the idle air control and tap tested engine module. Module failed tap test. Please keep in mind I have no clue what any of this is I am copying off the bills. They replaced the engine control module this bill was to the tune of 357.33. In April car went back to the garage for the same thing and was told the spark plug wires were worn and replaced them to the tune of 234.82. In May again was taken to garage for the same problem, sputtering, no power on acceleration wanting to stall out, only this time they could not get it to act up when they drove it. They left me go with a $30.00 bill that time. On June 16th which was the last day it was there they discovered the gas they got out of it was dirt black and decided I got a bad batch somewhere. They changed the filter and something else but I can't remember what because they didn't have the heart to bill me for it. Car ran fine all summer except for 2 weeks ago, you guessed it the sputtering is back. I've been getting gas from the same place all summer (Sheetz) and haven't had any problems till 2 weeks ago. I refuse to drive the car now, can't be trusted. I am a female and have no clue whatsoever about engines, but if someone here has any idea what might be wrong, please let me know, because I have another one for you all, but lets get this one first, because I'm running out of money. Sorry this is so long. No need to hurry with an answer the car isn't being moved at the present time. Thanks in advance
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Re: sputtering car
Buy a 4th gen. :)
But really all that money you are spending on those repairs...ouch. There is a lot of good information on this site. Have you tried giving your car a basic tune up? Spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter? Could be a bad sensor? Seafoaming your car couldn't hurt. I'm sorry Im not a mechanic either but Im sure someone here will be able to help you out.2001 Firebird 3.8L
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Re: sputtering car
could be your fuel pump or your sparkplug wires
where in pa are you from?WAWA-A-HOLIC
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Re: sputtering car
The spark plug's and wires were replaced in April, don't know if the fuel pump has been checked. I am from Pottsville in eastern PA. Any other ideas as I'm going to call the garage today and see what they suggest. Yea...get rid of it.
Could somebody tell me what seafoaming is?Comment
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Re: sputtering car
Sputtering car - sounds like a coil thats not grounded.Comment
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Re: sputtering car
Originally posted by 89 Firebird View Post
It cleans out your engine, fuel system of carbon buildup.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534376
That thread tells all.2001 Firebird 3.8L
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Re: sputtering car
oh ok. i'm in lower pottsgrove(pottstown)
i don't know of anyone to tell you to go too since i do all my work myself.
your fairly close to me. so if you need help with it let me know.
just because you got something changed a couple months or even weeks ago doesn't mean that it's not giving you problems again. it happeneds.WAWA-A-HOLIC
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Re: sputtering car
all I know is the fuel pumps are notorious for going out on the 3rd gens. I'd bet that it's on it's way out and is either the root of your problem or is making it worst.~97 3.8L V6 Camaro~
A few things
Only Member of Team Hooker?!?Comment
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Re: sputtering car
The thing is I don't even want to drive this car anymore. It has let me down more times than I care to remember. I will bring that up to the serviceman. I'm sure they checked it already as they've pretty much checked everything. I wonder if they would do the seafoam thing. I can handle the first and 2nd part but not the 3rd. Here is a pic of the bad car. Nice just not reliable
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Re: sputtering car
Originally posted by 89 Firebird View PostThe thing is I don't even want to drive this car anymore. It has let me down more times than I care to remember. I will bring that up to the serviceman. I'm sure they checked it already as they've pretty much checked everything. I wonder if they would do the seafoam thing. I can handle the first and 2nd part but not the 3rd. Here is a pic of the bad car. Nice just not reliable
STEELERS???? :rant:
lol, well at least the headlight still work :tup:2001 Firebird 3.8L
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Re: sputtering car
Yea Steelers...Now you jinxed it. I just dropped it off at the servicenter and told them to keep it for a month as long as I get it back fixed. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for the replies. I have 1 more problem with it but I'm in a hurry right now. I'll post it later.Comment
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Re: sputtering car
Got an update on my car. It is now sitting in the garage for a total of 10 days. The only thing they have done is run it almost constantly to try an empty out a full tank of gas, which I doubt they will replace. They do believe it is the same problem from this past June. What they did then was clean the injectors and replace the air and fuel filters. Is it possible that I am unable to keep a full tank of gas in that car? I am really at the end of my rope, at the time I filled that tank it cost $40.00, do these people really know what they are doing? Any comments??Comment
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Re: sputtering car
Cleaned injectors, replaced air filter, and fuel filter - Someone said fuel pump earlier. I would try that. Did you check your coils and ignition etc? You should try that next.Comment
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