fuel pump goin out?

[frizbal]

I have a 96 3.8 firebird 5 speed. In all gears when i give it too much gas, it bogs in and out of power. Normally it drive fine. The higher the gear, the less gas i have to give before it starts boggin again. I've had this car since july and it hasnt gotten better or worse. Does this sound like a bad fuel pump? Or even a clogged cat?

[Transam95]

My first question is do you have a strong exhaust smell. Also does your car shift alright when it does this is or is it rough. But from what you are saying it sounds like you may have a bad fuel filter.

[frizbal]

Originally Posted by Transam95

My first question is do you have a strong exhaust smell. Also does your car shift alright when it does this is or is it rough. But from what you are saying it sounds like you may have a bad fuel filter.

yes, it smells a bit and slightly rough when shifting! Well i bought the car in july and replaced the fuel filter shortly after. and it still did it right after i changed it too

[97cavalier]

Originally Posted by frizbal

yes, it smells a bit and slightly rough when shifting! Well i bought the car in july and replaced the fuel filter shortly after. and it still did it right after i changed it too

It is probly shifting a little strange because it is dumping to much gas in, try to replace the fuel regulator.It is about $46

[frizbal]

and that should help with it bogging in and out right

[97cavalier]

Originally Posted by frizbal

and that should help with it bogging in and out right

Ya if that is the problem. Just try that frist since it is cheep and see what happens. Then post again.

[frizbal]

Originally Posted by 97cavalier

Ya if that is the problem. Just try that frist since it is cheep and see what happens. Then post again.

first just to make sure we are on the same page. When you say shifting strange... how do YOU mean? our standards of shifting strange might be different

[Transam95]

Now you said you had a strong exhaust smell right. Well this is carbon build up in the egr valve system. Before you replace the regulator check your fuel pressure with a gauge Which is about 10 bucks this will also let you know about your fuel pump. Carbon build up can cause what seems like fuel problems when you are just not getting your exhaust gas out. Causing the car to bog down. A simple can of carb/choke cleaner can fix this. I had the same problem with my 95 T/A. Also the garage I work In I have fixed many cars doing the same yours is doing and everytime I have fixed this with carb/choke cleaner.

[Transam95]

One more thing does your car shift rough at a high rpm or normal rpm shifting. If it is shifting high you have slipping tranny. I know I have said alot let me know I work on fbodies(camaros/transams/firebirds) all the time.

[frizbal]

Originally Posted by Transam95

Now you said you had a strong exhaust smell right. Well this is carbon build up in the egr valve system. Before you replace the regulator check your fuel pressure with a gauge Which is about 10 bucks this will also let you know about your fuel pump. Carbon build up can cause what seems like fuel problems when you are just not getting your exhaust gas out. Causing the car to bog down. A simple can of carb/choke cleaner can fix this. I had the same problem with my 95 T/A. Also the garage I work In I have fixed many cars doing the same yours is doing and everytime I have fixed this with carb/choke cleaner.

Could it be the cat converter then? if you said it could not be dumping exhaust right. Ill try the carb/choke cleaner and see how it works.
and it shifts a lil rough at more of a high gear. but im still not sure if its shifting rough enough for what your thinkin.
and just tonight i noticed water coming out of the exhaust pipe. is this just a lil humidity......or does it tie in with the rest of the problems?

[corning_d3]

Umm, the car is a stick-shift right? I assumed.....5 spd. A clogged catalytic converter will not cause an engine to cut out a higher RPM, but it will act as if the engine has a rev limiter. A good way to test the converter is to remove an O2 sensor thats located in between the engine and the converter, and install a air pressure gauge in it's place. Any more than 2 psi and the converter is clogged. I'm sure it has a check engine light on if it's acting that bad. Go to an autoparts store that checks trouble codes for free. Even if the light isn't on, it may still have codes stored. Have the fuel pump pressure and flow tested. Water in the tailpipe is normal, it's condensation(unless it looks like antifreeze!) A throttle position sensor or even a mass airflow sensor can also cause your symptoms. Try taking out the mass airflow sensor and clean it with carb cleaner. Re-install with the arrow facing the engine. Let it dry good before trying to start the car, as the wires inside get VERY hot, and would quickly ignite carb. cleaner.

[Transam95]

Yes a clogged cat can cause an engine to bogg. You have 02 sensors which are upstream. Meaning they are before the cat which means a code will be set beacuse of exhaust gas backing up getting to the o2 sensors setting a code. Which then the computer adjusts the air/gas ratio making it richer , maf sensor makes a clicking noise when it is bad. Throttle position could be it but chances are slim since you are saying that it does run a little rich. A maf sensor want be it cause a car does not cut in and out now i have seen them make cars miss but not cut in and out. Spray carb cleaner in where the map sensor goes. Open your throttle body and spray it in the intake manifold. My big question is does your car idle rough?

[corning_d3]

The only O2 sensor that monitors the catalytic converter is the one behind it. It is also called a catalyst monitor. The O2 sensor before it only monitors oxygen levels in the exhaust compared to oxygen outside the exhaust. The O2 sensor after it monitors oxygen levels after catalyst. When an O2 sensor see rich, it will produce about .9 volts, when full lean, about .1 volts. An after cat. O2 sensor will read close to .5 volts all the time if the cat. converter is good. Have you checked the codes yet? The first thing i'd check out would be the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, injectors, and maybe even a lazy O2 sensor.

[frizbal]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

The only O2 sensor that monitors the catalytic converter is the one behind it. It is also called a catalyst monitor. The O2 sensor before it only monitors oxygen levels in the exhaust compared to oxygen outside the exhaust. The O2 sensor after it monitors oxygen levels after catalyst. When an O2 sensor see rich, it will produce about .9 volts, when full lean, about .1 volts. An after cat. O2 sensor will read close to .5 volts all the time if the cat. converter is good. Have you checked the codes yet? The first thing i'd check out would be the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, injectors, and maybe even a lazy O2 sensor.

I have an o2 on each manifold (2), one before the cat, and one after. the one before the cat i replaced a few months ago... if i get the codes checked, will it read the pump and regulator?