Are you a mechanic?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,057
From: Shorewood, Il.
Are you a mechanic?
While a service writer at a Chevy dealer almost 30 yrs ago, ran into this problem our 'Master Mechanic' couldn't figure out!
I may have mentioned it before, but I hope not.
Vehicle; '78 Chevette 2-dr, 58,000 miles, driven 20 miles 1-way to work.
Complaint; After [cold-start] 3.5 miles engine stalls. Cranks, but will not start. After sitting 5 min., starts and will run all day, even after sitting 9 hrs. at work. No smoke or noises from engine.
Attempted repair; Switched carb and distributor from another chevette with close miles - NO computer on vehicle. Didn't affect stalling at all.
Thankfully, this guy was almost bald, as he was ready to tear his hair out!
He drove it home for a week, and it still did the same thing!
I made a suggestion and it cured the problem - let's see who can figure this one out!
I may have mentioned it before, but I hope not.
Vehicle; '78 Chevette 2-dr, 58,000 miles, driven 20 miles 1-way to work.
Complaint; After [cold-start] 3.5 miles engine stalls. Cranks, but will not start. After sitting 5 min., starts and will run all day, even after sitting 9 hrs. at work. No smoke or noises from engine.
Attempted repair; Switched carb and distributor from another chevette with close miles - NO computer on vehicle. Didn't affect stalling at all.
Thankfully, this guy was almost bald, as he was ready to tear his hair out!
He drove it home for a week, and it still did the same thing!
I made a suggestion and it cured the problem - let's see who can figure this one out!
Connoisseur d'Junque
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
Okay, my second attempt was this:
A particularly steep hill at that point on his trip, either up or down, pushed the fuel away from a defective fuel tank pick-up. Once stopped, perhaps the usual sloshing stopped, and the fuel pump was able to draw enough fuel to continue.
Could also apply for a particularly long off-ramp if he was a fast driver.
- Eric
A particularly steep hill at that point on his trip, either up or down, pushed the fuel away from a defective fuel tank pick-up. Once stopped, perhaps the usual sloshing stopped, and the fuel pump was able to draw enough fuel to continue.
Could also apply for a particularly long off-ramp if he was a fast driver.
- Eric
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,339
From: Denver, CO.
OK, If this is true ^^^^ Than the car is losing compression and 5 minutes later is regaining compression to start. So how about gear lube in the crankcase causing valves to hang open?
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,617
From: Southside Vajenya
I'm leaning toward an oil pressure switch or fuel pump relay, though it's odd the thing would start and run the rest of the day without problems.
Then again an uncle had a K-car Town & Country wagon that would do almost the exact same thing and even Chrysler Zone Service couldn't figure that one out.
Then again an uncle had a K-car Town & Country wagon that would do almost the exact same thing and even Chrysler Zone Service couldn't figure that one out.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,145
From: Far Northeast Philadelphia, PA
I'm going to say vacuum related since fuel and spark are not the issue.
I'm wondering if the car had one of those valves on the exhaust manifold and it was stuck closed, but the thremal heat switch read "hot" and opened up the valve after the restart
I'm wondering if the car had one of those valves on the exhaust manifold and it was stuck closed, but the thremal heat switch read "hot" and opened up the valve after the restart
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,548
From: duncan bc
my dad told me of a similar thing, turned out when the old gal got in the car she pulled out the choke *** to hang her purse on, when she left the car she pushed it back in so it drove the mechanics nuts 
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Let's do 4 in a row. The Chevette didn't have a manual choke. Although I would honestly say that many times I wanted to choke the living $hit out of the one I had. It would start everytime and run (rather loudly) get up to a blistering 65mph almost floored and had the worst defroster in cold weather.
So, being absolutely no mechanic, I'm going out on a limb and saying that the problem with the car was with the catalytic converter flapper valve off the exhaust manifold. Take out the flapper and you're good to go.
So, being absolutely no mechanic, I'm going out on a limb and saying that the problem with the car was with the catalytic converter flapper valve off the exhaust manifold. Take out the flapper and you're good to go.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,057
From: Shorewood, Il.
Catalytic converter flapper valve?? That's a new one!!
Turns out, GM, [not just Chevrolet] deceided lower valve spring pressures would reduce [?] friction, and had about 70# pressure on the seat, when new.
With a 195 thermostat, the spring would eventually loose tension, and not have much pressure at a certain temp, ie - wouldn't seat the valve.
Why more heat would give the spring more tension is beyond me, but fresh springs solved the problem.
About a week later, another guy with a chevette complained about almost the same problem - I quoted $150, and took the car in.
Service Manager blew up, and told me if that wasn't the problem, I'd have to pay for it!
Never saw either of them again! GM issued a "bulletin" about valve springs about 2 weeks later.
Turns out, GM, [not just Chevrolet] deceided lower valve spring pressures would reduce [?] friction, and had about 70# pressure on the seat, when new.
With a 195 thermostat, the spring would eventually loose tension, and not have much pressure at a certain temp, ie - wouldn't seat the valve.
Why more heat would give the spring more tension is beyond me, but fresh springs solved the problem.
About a week later, another guy with a chevette complained about almost the same problem - I quoted $150, and took the car in.
Service Manager blew up, and told me if that wasn't the problem, I'd have to pay for it!
Never saw either of them again! GM issued a "bulletin" about valve springs about 2 weeks later.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 920
From: N. FL 32091
Had a like prob with a GEO, ran hot blew, head gasket, reworked head, changed the oil to clear warter, smarty me put 20W50 oil, would start and run 5 sec stall start again after sitting 15 min ran fine,took awhile to figure the oil was to thick, valve springs couldn't close valves, replaced with 5W20 as recomended, NO MORE STALL,, Good story,Later Johnny
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