View Single Post
Old 03-25-2011, 11:21 AM   #1
irongun324
Registered User
 
irongun324's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 133
1988 350 TBI idles funny, stalls when put in gear, and accels rough...

So for the questions:

1) Service engine light didn't come on until after 5-10 mins of driving (no faster than 45 mph). Without reading codes yet, any gut suggestions (perhaps better answered in conjunction with #2...)

2) It won't accelerate smoothly. It will start out SLOW and smooth until about 15-20 mph, then it wont accelerate worth a flip for a few seconds (no change in pedal pressure) before acting like it starts "catching" and resumes accelerating. Very consistent doing this, so essentially I can't take off at all.

3) It had a tendency to stall when I first test drove it, easily overcome with very slight pedal pressure when at a stand still. I made it home a 15 min drive without stalling this way. Could be related to #2?

It idles well enough it seems, but it's been sitting for almost 2 years, with being moved around the lot once a month or so during grass cutting season. Hoping bad fuel might be part of the problem, i put 18.5 fresh gallons in it with a bottle of the Techron fuel system cleaner right as I started the drive home. I didn't let it just sit at a light in gear, not wanting to risk it stalling in the middle of the road so im not sure if it made any difference on the way home.

I'll stop there, as those are my primary concerns right now (getting it running well). Thanks for looking.

I intend on new plugs/wires at a minimum today, and checking the timing. If it doesn't clean up, what about fuel filter and EGR valve?

-Trey
__________________
My vehicles:
2003 Saturn ION 1
1988 V10 Suburban 4x4
Dad's: 68 C10 Stepside (work truck condition, runs though)
59 Apache Fleetside (rusted pile of metal - hopefully soon to be father/son project when he cleans out his garage!)

Can see all three of these here

Last edited by irongun324; 03-25-2011 at 11:22 AM.
irongun324 is offline   Reply With Quote