Car help please
 

I know nothing about cars, and really don't trust any of the mechanics where I would live, so thought I would post the question here. I have an older (1989) Chevy truck. It really does well, but have lately experienced a problem where when I come out of a dead stop, when I press on the gas it takes a minute to get going. It is colder than usual here in the mornings (when I usually experience the problems) but even then, that is maybe like 70° when I start the car. I don't seem to experience this problem in the afternoon or at night on the way home. My thought is fuel pump or fuel filter, but you can fit what I know about cars in a thimble with room to spare.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

When the fuel pump goes out on those trucks, it just won't start.

Antifreeze, obviously.

Transmission slipping?

Is it sluggish or is the engine revving up but the truck doesn't move

Well, at least I shouldn't fall for someone here telling me that's what it is, thanks.

Yeah, I tried to drink some, but on my way to the store, I ran into an aids tree and got knocked out....maybe tomorrow.

I would believe transmission slipping as I know we lose all kinds of transmission (no idea how or where, it is not leaking), and it shifts real hard, so maybe that is it.

It is extremely sluggish I guess you would say. Almost to the point it sounds and feels like it is about to die on me, but within a few seconds it will pick up and go like nothing is wrong.

I would take it to a transmission shop and let them test drive it.

carburated? ( I can't remember).

if it sounds like it's going to die under load, I would think it's something fuel related.

if it revs like normal, but doesn't move hardly at all, I think it would be tranny related.

Spark plugs.

This. When it's not coming up to speed is the engine revving like you had it in park and were stepping on the gas? Or does the enghine go silent or miss?

Possibly transmission filter.

First thanks for all the advice so far, figured CPers would come through and help me know what to believe and what not to.



I guess you would call it missing (have had spark plug problems before, said it was "missing" and this is what it sounded like). There are times where ti basically does nothing (keeps running like it were in idle and I didn't press the gas) but more often than not it will, I guess, miss, and feel like it is just going to stall out.

So the truck is hesitating when cold, much like an old carbureted motor when cold and choke not working properly?

This truck is TBI (throttle body injected) correct? Or does it have 8 individual injectors?

I would guess MAP sensor, or coolant temp sensor, not letting the system know how much fuel/air the motor needs to run correctly when cold.

Fuel related. Try replacing the fuel filter first. Cheapest option.

How many bales of marijuana are you muling?

Also, you might try stripping the bowtie emblems from the body and telling her she's a Ford. Probably improve slightly.

I really hope this is not it because it all went over my head completely...tomorrow I will probably just let it sit and warm up a little longer to see if that helps (not used to cars this old so really new to the entire "warming up" process).

This I can go with cause it is also something I can translate to spanish very easily. If letting it warm up more doesn't help, I will probably suggest this to the mechanic I take it to.

The temperature related part of it makes me think the problem is electronic in nature, not fuel.

Actually those are really pretty simple as well. Electronics do control your fuel flow. Not sure if an 89 had a port to plug a scanner into, but you might try Autozone if you have one down there.
Or, you might find some guys that know a lot about your truck here.

This...errr these....


I would check the coolant temp sensor or possibly even a bad thermostat. If the coolant sensor is going bad the car is going to run very rich and you should see your gas mileage really start to tank.

The whole "not heating up properly" thing and the stalling thing might be two separate issues though.

I don't think it's a fuel thing. I could be wrong obviously. But like you said, usually when a fuel pump fails, it just fails and the car won't start.

I can't recall a scenario in which my fuel pump gave me warning it was going to fail. In my experience, they just die when they feel like dying.

If it is a fuel thing, what about a fuel pickup problem? Ever try filling the tank up and seeing if you still have the stalling issue?

I had that happen to me once after installing a new pump in my Firebird. The freaking fuel line that connects the pump to the sock came lose and it wasn't picking up fuel properly when the tank was less than 1/4.

Damnit, sounds like I may have to go to a mechanic after all. I am still going to try the start it early and let it warm up, but that last comment from Detoxing makes me think it may be the coolant sensor. I have been noticing it has been using more gas lately as well.

Understand the "mechanics" down here are basically back yard mechanics that charge for their work, no autozone or anything like that anywhere. Is checking the coolant temp sensor something I could trust them to do, and is a new one relatively cheap? Is this something anyone with half a brain of mechanical knowledge (not me) could do, or is it something that is best left to professionals? Sorry for all the questions, just hate not having a mechanic I can really trust.

A good mechanic will just drive the car and instantly know or at least have a strong suspicion what the problem is. These models of trucks all have the same problems.

Hmmm...this gives me hope again. Down here we have a big problem with fuel thiefs, so we never put much gas in the tank (usually the equivalent of 10 bux every 3 days or so). Maybe I should try giving it more gas, and see if it still has the same problem.

I still think my first step will probably be letting it warm up a little longer tomorrow morning and see if that helps any. If I am off base in thinking this, please let me know.

Find a gringo bar down there and ask some gringos about good mechanics in the area.

LOL at the gringo bar....I think I am the only gringo for about 100 miles...if there are others I would love to meet them.

If you are driving around most of the time with less fuel than normal, your tank will get condensation and you will get water in your fuel. Get about 3 bottles of heat or whatever water displacement additive and pour it in the tank. If that's hard to find get some isopropyl alcohol and pour it in.

Another quick and easy solution, will try that too, thanks.

I love this place. LMAO