Car Stalling

[fsrowsell]

Hello everyone, I have done a search to fine the answer to my problem, but I did not fine anything that was the same problem that I have. I have a 71 with weber carb and the pass two days the car started stalling when driving... The first time it happened I thought that I ran out of gas.... No that was not the problem, so I changed my fuel filter, because I thought it might be clogged. No, that was not the problem, because she did the same think again today coming home from work. Yet when I went to work this morning she worked fine. Tonight I took a quick look at the carb and it looked very clean, so I started her up and she idled fine for 1/2 hour with no stalling. The choke worked fine and opened when she was warmed up. I am puzzled on what could be causing the car to stall when under power. Like I said before the car acts as if she was running out of gas and then stall. But when I pull over on the side of the road she would start up first click and when I go to drive way again she would stall. Some times I would get further then others before stalling. Any ideas??? Thanks Felix

[yellaopelgt]

does it stall when you hit the brake? or smell like gas when you lift the hood? need more info....,
Joe

[kwilford]

Felix, I moved this to the Tune Up Forum until it gets a clearer direction...

Frankly, this seems like about the most COMMON problem with Opels. They run great one minute, and not at all the next!

Have you changed the fuel filter? You have, but it is a common fuel related fault.

Hmm, another of the more common faults with Opels are faulty mechanical fuel pumps. Sometimes the strainer screen (under the removable cap) becomes clogged, or the diaphragm gets perforated, or the check valves quit checking. First thing, pinch the fuel line in front of the pump (or you will drain the tank on your face, right then and there!) and pull the screen. If you have a spare pump, try that. If not, check the pump outlet pressure with a test gauge (should be 3.1 to 3.7 psi); if it is lower, the diaphragm is probably perforated. Gil sells new mechanical pumps, or you could go electric (a WHOLE other thread!)

Another fuel related fault is the outlet sock screen inside the gas tank gets plugged. It is best removed and replaced with an in-line fuel filter right at the tank outlet. Do a search for "screen + sock + tank" and you should find several post providing instructions for removing the sock.

HTH and good luck

[fsrowsell]

No, braking is fine and I do not smell gas when I open the hood. I don't think it a flooding problem. It sounds like the engine is not getting any gas and then shoot off. Even when I put her in neutral and pump the gas, she continues to die. But when I pull over, she always starts right back up again and then I might go a little further and then the same thing happens again... I then pull over and start her back up again. I had to this all the way home yesterday and today.

[fsrowsell]

kwilford, thoughts are very good points and I will check each one out... I am picking up a parts car on Sunday with a very good motor in it... I'll let everyone know what my findings are. Thanks Felix

[yellaopelgt]

you may want to put a clear glass fuel filter somwhere after... and before the fuel pump(if you dont already) It does sound like its starving for fuel and the clear filters will help to decipher where the problem lies. No/little gas after the pump more than likely pump went south,no gas before the pump probly glogged sock as Keith described. All it takes is a piece of grit or crud in the pump and it chews things up rather quickly. Cant go wrong with 2 filters in my opinion.
Joe

[wrangler]

I run 2 filters as well, with a clear one near the carb for that very reason. I did this because my GT was doing the same thing, but maybe even a bit more severe than yours. The fix was quite easy, and since you are in BC, I dont think the same problem as yours, but is a good thing to eliminate just the same; and that was moisture in my tank from condensation. Has happened twice this fall so far, and if you have a heated garage, could happen there as well. All it took to solve it was a bottle of "HEET", though I am sure any other gas treatment would work. I even thought it might have been water in the gas where I purchased it, but happened again after I changed gas stations.

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by fsrowsell No, braking is fine .

You never answered the question- does it stall when you hit the brake- classic sign of a vacumn leak from the brake booster. Mine did the same thing. Each time I went to slow down the engine would stall.

[namba209]

O.K. guys, let's get back to basics here. Gotta have gas and spark for the engine to run, could be an intermittant electrical connection or loose condensor mounting screw too. If he's gotta full carb bowl, then it has to be electrical unless the carb isn't functioning correctly. Let's not rule out anything at this point.

[greensmurf20]

my GT used to do the same thing shortly after completion. i had an ignition cap, with a chewed out center button, and it would odly enough come and go in ways of problems it gave me. new cap and rotor, and no more intermintent stuttering and stalling.

[fsrowsell]

Well guys it was my Sock Screen filter in the tank that was causing all my troubles.... Thanks again for everyones help Felix

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by fsrowsell Well guys it was my Sock Screen filter in the tank that was causing all my troubles.... Thanks again for everyones help Felix

No worries, mate. Glad to be of help.

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by kwilford No worries, mate. Glad to be of help.

We will have your bill with all charges, in the mail to you soon