Problem with my car...can anybody help?

[NODAK]

I have a late 90s car...so it's not exactly new, with a decent amount of miles on it. It runs great though, except for one problem...hopefully somebody can give me a direction to go to in the diagnosing of this problem here.

In warm or hot weather (ESPECIALLY hot), if I'm driving for a decent amount of time in town (stop and go driving basically), the temperature gauge on my dashboard will start to creep up a little bit. That usually isn't that big of a deal in hot weather, but what happens next is. The car will start to jerk and just shut down. I can start it right back up immediately but it just will shut down about a block later. In order to make it run smoothly again, one of two things needs to happen: either I have to let it cool down for a while OR if I drive it at higher speeds (highway or interstate), the temperature will go down and it won't have the problem shutting down.

I'm not sure what the problem is...sometimes when I start my car and drive right away it sputters a couple of times like it would when it shuts down...but it doesn't shut down since it's obviously not hot yet. I'm not sure if that's related to the same problem...it seems as if it would be.

Does anybody have any ideas where to start?? I have a friend who does work on cars but he doesn't know exactly what it would be. If I could point him in the right direction I know he could replace or fix the part.

[MDPatFan]

It sounds like vapor lock to me. When the car stops, if you remove the gas cap and get a strong suction release, that's probably what it is. If you put the cap back on loosely, it should prevent the vapor lock from happening again.

[jjdche]

It sounds like vapor lock to me. When the car stops, if you remove the gas cap and get a strong suction release, that's probably what it is. If you put the cap back on loosely, it should prevent the vapor lock from happening again.

Is vapor lock possible on late model cars?

[FootballRules]

You may start by replacing the thermostat. It is less than 5 bucks and it is easy to change.

[MDPatFan]

Is vapor lock possible on late model cars?
I dunno. The last time I experienced VL was on an 85 Horizon.

But it did exactly what was described.

[Ltrain]

Vapor lock is possible on any car.

Check your coolant, is it low? Replace the thermostat like someone said. Make sure all the fans are working, just don't stick your hand in there. ;)

[jjdche]

I dunno. The last time I experienced VL was on an 85 Horizon.

But it did exactly what was described.


Did zfan go get himself banned? We need answers...and I don't trust Ltrain. ;)

[Ltrain]

I don't trust Ltrain. ;)
Yeah, Zfan got banned I think.

Don't trust me? Oh come on, let me work on your car for a little bit... :cool:

We need an evil smiley. :(

[jjdche]

Yeah, Zfan got banned I think.

Don't trust me? Oh come on, let me work on your car for a little bit... :cool:

We need an evil smiley. :(


We need alot of smilies, how can you express all your emotions with just 11 smilies?

I'm really pulling for the puking smiley.

[azdusters]

timeing belt maybe

[Davekn]

Yeah, Zfan got banned I think.

Don't trust me? Oh come on, let me work on your car for a little bit... :cool:

We need an evil smiley. :(

Oh no! Zfan was the man when it came to this stuff. Z: I bet you're reading this. If so we're thinking of you.

[jjdche]

Anyone know how long Z is on vacation for?

[Ltrain]

timeing belt maybe
You're kidding, right?

No way in hell it's the timing belt... that controls the timing of the rods and what not... Nothing to do with engine temperature.

[raider bill]

Throw a Radiator cap on it along with the thermostat and put some new coolant in it (after flushing it out with a hose). Make sure the electric fans are coming on if it has them.(Turning on the AC usually kicks the fan(S) on.

[raider bill]

Late model cars run hot, there isnt a lot of room for error, so the cooling system (including something as stupid as the cap) has to be in peak condition. The water pump could be on the way out, but this is probably unlikely as it would probably be leaking. .

[Ltrain]

What kind of car is it?

[#1FortyNinerFan]

Is your check engine light on? If so, does it just stay on, or does it flash? Does the car sputter and shake when ur idling, running slowly, etc? You may have some bad spark plugs. How long has it been since youve gotten a tune up??

[NODAK]

It's a Buick Skylark.

As far as a tune up is concerned, I know it's been a while. I'm not sure if spark plugs would only misfire when it's hot though...would they?? I don't know much about cars so I obviously need the help. Another guy at work mentioned vapor lock to me as well...he said there's a gas station/service station here in town that'll diagnose the problem for free....I'll probably take advantage of that.

[#1FortyNinerFan]

It's a Buick Skylark.

As far as a tune up is concerned, I know it's been a while. I'm not sure if spark plugs would only misfire when it's hot though...would they?? I don't know much about cars so I obviously need the help. Another guy at work mentioned vapor lock to me as well...he said there's a gas station/service station here in town that'll diagnose the problem for free....I'll probably take advantage of that.



I know this may sound stupid, but have you checked the coolant level in your cars engine?? And yes, plugs and wires will misfire when its hot, especially when its summer time. Have you checked the oil level in your engine? Oil change?

[TheFog]

In an emergency, you can turn your heater to full blast and it'll help cool your car down a little bit. Just open the windows or you may die of thirst like that Saudi Prince.

:D

[Rambulance]

Bump for z-fan....he's not banned.

[z fan28]

Skylark: 3.1L motor or other? I need more information. Typically, if the thing wants to quit after a re-start, there's something going on with the PCM and ignition interface. (GM's term for the vehicle computer, Power Control Module) Could be a number of other things, but I'd start with having Auto Zone or some other convenient retailer have a look at your connections under-hood.

After, of course, eliminating the bozo stuff like low coolant, bad grounds, poor cable connections, etc.

Also, there is a coolant 'loop' that jackets the throttle body on these cars. Blockage or poor hose condition could cause exactly what you've got. (3.1, 3.4, 3.8L)

[z fan28]

Bill Sez: "Late model cars run hot..............."

Not if I tune them, they don't. ;)

I run a one fifty-five thermostat and a lot of timing, Bill. And I hit it with 200 of N2O on top 'o' that. :eek:

Secondary fan won't come on unless the AC compressor is turning on these cars, btw. Dumb design, but that's the way it is. :confused:

[NODAK]

It's not the coolant level or oil change...I have had both of those done very recently.

By the way, it's a 3.1 Liter....to answer your question.

Spark plugs are liable to be old, now thta I think about it...it's been a while...then again the air filter is probably old too.

[z fan28]

Spark plugs aren't going to cause a stall/no re-start condition though.

And if your air cleaner is suspect, the first thing you'd likely see is loss of power and/or hesitation/poor idle quality.

I'd check the ignition for integrity (you have coil packs that fire from a signal from the crankshaft) and occasionally, these coils have heat related issues.

If your 'Lark sets a 'check engine' light, get at me via the PM. Your local auto parts outlet can pull up the code number(s) and I can then advise you more efficiently.

[z fan28]

BTW, any plug that's misfiring will set a trouble code, so that's out. :D

[Ltrain]

I'll throw this out there too... How many miles on the injectors?

[z fan28]

Just about all GMs use a Delphi-style ball and disc injector. They never break. :D