Car help please

[ElGringo]

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.

[Brock]

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

[Dartgod]

Antifreeze, obviously.

[TimeForWasp]

Transmission slipping?

[Boise_Chief]

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

[ElGringo]

Originally Posted by Brock

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

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

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Antifreeze, obviously.

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.

[ElGringo]

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.

[TimeForWasp]

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

[Dayze]

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.

[Sofa King]

Spark plugs.

[mlyonsd]

Originally Posted by Boise_Chief

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

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?

[Earthling]

Possibly transmission filter.

[ElGringo]

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

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

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?

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.

[HemiEd]

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.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by ElGringo

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.

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