94 cutlass supreme issues..

[brandonz28]

First off, Hello! names brandon. I drive a 94 cutlass and sometimes an 84 camaro.

Now to the important stuff. Couple days ago I was driving my cutlass home and it died at a stop sign and wouldnt start back up. I got it home and the battery was dead, charged that ect. Now when I start it, it will not idle, I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep in running, or it will die out. Im guessing it is a fueling problem..

A few side notes, car has 206k on it right now, intake and head gaskets have been replaced withiong 3 years ago, I have coolant in my oil(seems to only happen in the cold,heads are cracked ever so slightly) My alternator/battery is bad, doesnt seem to have enough juice at times. I also need an oil change soon(heavy oil in there now)

I really dont know where to start, wuith 200+k miles I also dont want to spend a whole lot of money to have it fixed, and then something major happens. I havent done a much work on my car besides oil changes and brake jobs, but I would like to do as much as I can to save some cash..can anyone point me in the right direction to where I should start lookin to figure out the problem?

[G.A.S.]

Drive the camaro. Just kidding, I have an 84 camaro too.
seriously though, it appears that you have your hands full with the work on a vehical that has served its purpose.
there comes that time you know.
You are already in need of head replacement and altenrator, you havent done a capacity/load test on the battery, that could be dead from not being fully charged and might come back to life.
Lost of miles on there to be sticking a few hundred now, and what is next.
I dont know how good the body and undercarige is but there are other issues that come at that many miles as well.
If your going to do the work yourself youll save a buck or two there but to save a dollar and buy something newer with less miles might be an option.
As much as it sucks right now, the economy is forceing people to sell cheep so local smaller town papers and even the auto trader has some awfully tempting prices.

[Headnsouth]

Get the alt checked. Once you start the car the battery is techically not used except for storage. The juice comes from your alt that keeps the car running.

[brandonz28]

Originally Posted by Headnsouth

Get the alt checked. Once you start the car the battery is techically not used except for storage. The juice comes from your alt that keeps the car running.

I have a spair alt in my trunk that i have put off from installing because its been so cold here. I got it from my buddies car. Do you think that will be enough to keep it going?

[brandonz28]

Originally Posted by G.A.S.

Drive the camaro. Just kidding, I have an 84 camaro too.
seriously though, it appears that you have your hands full with the work on a vehical that has served its purpose.
there comes that time you know.
You are already in need of head replacement and altenrator, you havent done a capacity/load test on the battery, that could be dead from not being fully charged and might come back to life.
Lost of miles on there to be sticking a few hundred now, and what is next.
I dont know how good the body and undercarige is but there are other issues that come at that many miles as well.
If your going to do the work yourself youll save a buck or two there but to save a dollar and buy something newer with less miles might be an option.
As much as it sucks right now, the economy is forceing people to sell cheep so local smaller town papers and even the auto trader has some awfully tempting prices.

The body is full of hail damage, I got it cheap from a relative, and a dent in the door, so its not the prettiest. I have a few cars that im looking at but im not sure what I can afford right now. For the time being im getting a ride whenever I can or just walking. I will try and get that alt on there that I have and hopefully it will stay running

thanks for your quick replies!

[xeroinfinity]

I'd swap the alternator and see what that brings, if it stays running then that was the problem.

Might not hurt to clean the throtle boby with some carb/tb cleaner.

and Welcome to AF!

[brandonz28]

well, no luck on the alternator so far. apparently they are different, but the replacement parts are the same.. Im going to a salvage yard in a bit to see how much they want for a used one, if they want too much ill prolly end up buying a reburbed one


UPDATE: got a new ALT on, but it still wont stay running