i haven't started it for 6 months as it is stored in a garage in Florida and I live elsewhere. When I started it today it started right up but when I get to about 40-45 mph it starts sputtering. It had about 3/4 tank of gas. Could the gas be the problem? It idles fine but the harder I press the peddle when moving it starts hesitating real bad and if I floor it it feels like the engine is quitting. When perked I can floor it and it will roar without the sputter but with a few backfires. Any ideas? Could it be water in gas?

 

Start with the basics. Points, plugs, wires, dist cap, rotor. Fill it up with high test and DRIVE it.

 

I've been told (by friends in the oil & gas industry) that today's gasoline doesn't have a long shelf life; and unlike gasoline from the 70's, it breaks down quickly. I certainly have experienced this with my lawn mower. I don't buy a 5-gal can of gas anymore because it's only good for one summer. My little push mower ran like crap until I topped off the can with fresh gas. I guess I'll pour what's left over into one of my cars and buy some fresh gas next season.
You might try adding some octane booster to see if things improve.

 

I would not mess with anything until I got some fresh fuel in there. Fill it up and drive it and see if it Improves after getting the old fuel out of.

 

Thanks. That's what I did today. I drove off most of the old fuel and filled up with 93 octane. We'll see what that does tomorrow.

 

Updates? How did it drive?

 

Much better with the new fuel. Still a few stutters some of the time between 40 and 50 mph.

 

Fuel filter?

 

x2

 

Throw in a can of Seafoam to your tank on your next fill up.

 

What is Seafoam??

 

Stuff that allegedly cleans the fuel system, and makes your car smoke worse than a wild fire in Kally four nya. I've tried it and IMO found it's really over rated.

Here's a link to their homepage. You can read and decide for yourself.

 

It works really well in cleaning fuel systems by just adding a can to your fuel with no smoke.

 

What's the difference between this or just adding a bit of fuel injector cleaner to a tank of fuel? FIC is much less expensive.

 

Comes in a neat can:



Seriously, I use it and have good results.

 

Can't argue with it if it's successful for some. I just haven't noticed it's worth the $$$ I spent on it. Up here it's close to 14.00 per can. For that kind of $$ I can run 94 Octane and still have $ left over.

Just a note on the Octane fuel. If you haven't tuned your engine to run on it I don't think it will deliver anything except a dent in your wallet.

 

The check engine light came on in my 2000 F250 V-10. It had probably been on for at least 2 months. I went to O'Reilly and they scanned it and the code was for a lean mixture. The kid turned the light off and sold me a can of Royal Purple Fuel System Cleaner for about $15.00. That was at least several hundred miles ago and the light is still off. It seems to have worked for me.

 

Allan, that can of Seafoam is carb/injector cleaner, not octane booster.

 

Ken, I realize that. Up here the gasoline formulas also have cleaning agents as part of the blend. Higher octane has higher amounts.

 

Ah, I see. I was wondering about the reference to 94 octane.

 

Cool. Around here all fuel comes from one small refinery in Coffeyville so hard to tell what blend of cleaning agents are added if any. I'm glad Seafoam is usually on sale for 7.99.

 

I buy the STP stuff on sale, more cleaners in it and cheaper.

 

I just looked it up at the local parts store. Sells for 12.50. 13.25 tax in and out the door.