My 83 Olds 98 work horse keeps dying at idle. At a stop light it will idle ok then as soon as i hit the gas it dies and will not start.. It's getting gas. I just replaced the wires..

I think it's in the computer or one of the sensors because it happens so erratic.. Once running after a hard starting episode, it runs like it's not getting enough gas..

Other times it runs fantastic with lots of power..

I could almost buy any new car I want but I hate to give up on it, it's my favorite car.. I paid $2000 for it 15 years ago and it has never given me any troubles.. But it has 135,000 miles...

Any ideas... Thank you...

 

Sounds like carb. problem. Either needs a rebuild or to be replaced.

 

X2

If the carb has never been rebuilt, it is way past time.
It sounds like the accellerator pump is not working (rubber plunger) or maybe you have a vacuum leak somewhere. Time to check all the hoses for cracks... The computer can only compensate for so much leak.
Do you get any check engine lights?

No need to give up on the beast yet!

 

I've never had the carb apart.. Maybe the new gas is eating the soft parts away... In 35+ years of driving, I've never had a problem like this one before..

Thanks...

 

Hey, I wonder if it's the sock on the fuel tanks sending unit?

 

It could be... However, if WOT response is good (or normal), then it may not be. Perhaps you got crappy gas or you have water in the gas tank. With as cold as it has been, moisture condensation is a problem both in your tank and the gas station tanks. My old Ford died on me last week while driving down the road - very unusual. It later started back up and ran strong.
So, you might try another tank of gas to see if the problem disappears before rebuilding the carb.