Laveen Z34 Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 Fellow members, I just had an annoying and an OH @#$% moment when I tried to start my car after being parked on the driveway which is inclined (nose up). When I started the first and second time, it hesitated then the third time when it hesitated I stepped on the gas and it started. Today, I parked it for 10 minutes tops on my driveway and it did again, this time without any luck starting. I decided to let it roll until I got on the street and it flattened out, let it settle and started it without problem. Any suggestions? This gotta be fuel related and hopefully it's not the pump. A little history: Got the car as a debt payment - does not look all that bad @ 163,000 Cracked radiator - replaced Blown LIMG - replaced Water Pump replaced Valve head cover gasket -replaced spark plugs with 3 different brands - replaced all with the same brand this time. it came with flowmaster crap - but i guess it's OK, kinda loud. Just passed emission with flying colors after replacing everything.... Quote
RobertISaar Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 what was your fuel level at during all of this? since the fuel pump is in the front of the tank, being nose up will cause a large amount of whatever is in the tank to be pushed away from the fuel pickup. Quote
alec_b Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 Sure sounds like a level problem. Could be your gauge giving you faulty readings as well. You might think you've got a half tank when there's really only a quarter or less in there. Since our cars are known to have SUCH accurate fuel gauges... Quote
mra32 Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 Park nose down and see if it does the same thing Quote
Laveen Z34 Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Posted June 22, 2011 I just filled up two days ago. In addition, I didn't have this problem before I filled up the tank with gas. I even added some FI cleaner prior to filling up. This is the first time the tank was actually filled since acquiring the vehicle. Quote
Laveen Z34 Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Posted June 22, 2011 I just filled up two days ago. In addition, I didn't have this problem before I filled up the tank with gas. I even added some FI cleaner prior to filling up. This is the first time the tank was actually filled since acquiring the vehicle. Quote
Galaxie500XL Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 Keep in mind, water and fuel are different densities (water is heavier), which means they tend not to stay mixed, but will stratify if left still for a bit. I'm betting when you park on the incline, the fuel settles, and you're picking up a good bit of water and associated other crap when the nose is up in the driveway. Buy some "dry gas"..you know, the stuff you use in the winter to prevent fuel line freeze-up...don't fill up more than about a quarter tank at a time, and throw the dry gas in with each refueling. I'd bet in a few days, the problem goes away. Quote
RobertISaar Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 "dry gas" is isopropyl alcohol, which you may be able to buy cheaper and in a better purity in a pharmacy. Quote
Laveen Z34 Posted June 23, 2011 Author Report Posted June 23, 2011 Come to think of it, this never happened to me before I filled up the tank. But i'll keep the "dry gas" in mind once it's time to fill up again. It'll be awhile though since I only drive the car to work and back, about 30 miles total for 14 - 16 days a month. Quote
ManicMechanic Posted June 23, 2011 Report Posted June 23, 2011 My Cutlass did this several times. My driveway makes a better cliff than anything on which to park a car. It's a w-body issue. Quote
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