2000 s-10 sputtering likes its running out of gas
grainofsalt
06-07-2008, 05:07 PM
i have a 2000 s-10 and the other day i drove around all day, it was fine, the check engine light came on in the middle of it, when i left to go home it started to sputter like it was running out of gas, i had the pedal to the floor and only went 30 miles an hour, when i got home i put it in park and it still sounded like it was dying, i changed the fuel filter, and it still does it, im thinking the fuel pump, but i dunno for sure, and the auto parts store with the diagnostic machine is not close to my house, any ideas?
MT-2500
06-07-2008, 05:48 PM
Welcome to AF.
That Could be the problem.
What engine?
How many miles on tune up stuff.
Good AC-delco plugs?
Was the fuel filter stopped up with water or black stuff?
Was the check engine light on steady or flashing?
Get a fuel pressure gauge on it and make sure it has good pressure first thing.
If not up to par find out why and fix it.
If pressure is up to par you will need the code no next to point you in the right direction.
Post back code no.
If a 4.3 V6.
The only true test on a fuel pump is to check the direct fuel pressure from fuel pump.
A quick test is to block off the return line and see if fuel pressure comes up to 75-85 lbs.
But do not run the pump at full pressure very long.
Also when testing fuel pump and pressure you need to tape a gauge to outside windshield or outside mirror and drive it on the road for 20 -30 minutes
until the pump gets has run a while to check for a pump fading out after hot.
Hard to start cold or hot and fuel pressure testing guide lines.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
If pump has full pressure with return line blocked and low pressure without it blocked most usually the fuel pressure regulator is leaking or not holding pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak in system.
Post back fuel pressure readings.
That Could be the problem.
What engine?
How many miles on tune up stuff.
Good AC-delco plugs?
Was the fuel filter stopped up with water or black stuff?
Was the check engine light on steady or flashing?
Get a fuel pressure gauge on it and make sure it has good pressure first thing.
If not up to par find out why and fix it.
If pressure is up to par you will need the code no next to point you in the right direction.
Post back code no.
If a 4.3 V6.
The only true test on a fuel pump is to check the direct fuel pressure from fuel pump.
A quick test is to block off the return line and see if fuel pressure comes up to 75-85 lbs.
But do not run the pump at full pressure very long.
Also when testing fuel pump and pressure you need to tape a gauge to outside windshield or outside mirror and drive it on the road for 20 -30 minutes
until the pump gets has run a while to check for a pump fading out after hot.
Hard to start cold or hot and fuel pressure testing guide lines.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
If pump has full pressure with return line blocked and low pressure without it blocked most usually the fuel pressure regulator is leaking or not holding pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak in system.
Post back fuel pressure readings.
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