Well i was driving my 95 Z around for a while today with no problems, Just cruising. My tank got low so i stopped and filled up with 93. Well i went and visited a friend and let the car sit for about 1 1/2 hours and while sitting it started to rain. Well i went to get my girlfriend from work and the car started and drove fine in the rain and when i got there i turned it off for about 10mins. she came out, got in and the car turned right over and then i didn't get only too around the corner and it died. I tried to start it and it would just crank but not turn over. So after letting it sit for about 10mins it started but would stumble or die. Well i only live about 5 miles from where it first died and didn't want to have it towed so i would let it sit for a bit, turn it on and drive as far as i could before it died again. Well the last time it died when i got it started, It was driving normal, I stopped at 3 stop signs with no stumble or problems and i got it home and let it run for about 5-10 mins before it died on me. Well i haven't done anything since. I was wondering if the Opti got wet and that's what is causing it? If i just let it sit and dry out will it be okay or will i have to fix something on it? Thanks for the help. Justin

 

check for codes

 

no lights/no codes.

 

Well i went out and checked the engine out and couldnt find anything wrong or wet. I jumped in it and i had to crank it twice to get it started. But i took it for a ride on the interstate after some city driving with no problems. I got it home turned it off and started it again and it started right up with no problems. I guess something got wet and it had to dry maybe What do you think? Thanks, Justin

 

Well it happened again but this time in dry weather. My girlfriend and i took it out last night for a short ride around town and then we drove out to the movies, maybe a 20min ride total. Then we parked at the movies and when we came out the car started right up and we drove it into town and a friend called from work wanting something to eat so i went to stop by his work first and thats when it happened. I came around the corner from a stop sign and the car started cutting out and stumbling and it died. I pulled off the road and let it sit for about 5mins and it started a little hard and then i drove it home with no problems. There are no codes or lights. When the car died it said check gauges but when i started the car back up, it went away. I don't know whats going on. Thanks for the help, Justin

 

Have you checked the fuel pressure?

 

check to see if you are getting spark too the plugs and check your fuel pressure

 

I will be checking the fuel pressure in the next couple of days when a friend becomes available. What should it be at? Also how do you check for spark? Just for kicks I just went and got a fuel filter and will be replacing that shortly. Again thanks for the help. Justin

 

Mine did the same thing. I ended up changing the opti, water pump, thermostat, plugs, wires, coil, and belt. Havn't had another problem since.

 

I also replaced my computer a few weeks prior when it didn't start at all

 

Another Q's, When you turn your gas cap to take it off is there supposed to be alot of pressure built up? My friend and i went to get gas in my car and show him the problem and when i took the cap off it released alot of pressure. Now that he says that I've been taking it off every time i get out of it to check it and it doesn't do it unless I've been driving it for a bit.

 

Turn the key to on, and the pump should prime to more than 40psi. Pressure should not drop rapidly when the pump shuts down. If you can get it to idle, pull the vacuum compensation line off the fuel pressure regulator. Should read 43.5psi, with anything from 41-47psi within GM specs. Reattach the vacuum line, and pressure will drop proportional to intake manifold vacuum. 6-8psi drop from the "no vacuum" pressure is typical with a stock cam. Less drop with a more aggressive cam. At WOT/max RPM/max engine load the pressure should not drop below 40psi.

Pull a wire off a spark plug and hold the metal end near an engine ground.... should see a healthy spark jump the gap.

Pressure is normal. The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel it pumps, and the fuel picks up heat on the way past the exhaust and through the engine comparment, then returns to the tank. As fuel temperature rises, pressure rises. The pressure is help by a pressure control valve, that vents the fuel vapor to the charcoal canister in the drivers rear fender. If you have a huge pressure in the tank, the pressure control valve may not be working. OR you may have a dying fuel pump, heating the fuel excessively.

 

Could my problems mentioned above be symptoms of a dying fuel pump? Like my friend and i were saying tonight we noticed that when it started to die was after a couple of time of getting on the gas (from a stop to like 40mph) and letting off at city speeds and then i pulled over to take a quick phone call and when i went to pull out of the parking lot the RPM's shot up to like 3grand and immediately died.

 

Well i put the new fuel filter on today. When we changed it out, We didn't know if it was already in the the bottom of the bucket or not but there was alot of junk in the bottom. I took it for a drive after that with no problems. Then a little while ago i took it for about a 20min drive, came home real quick to grab my wallet and cell and went to pick my girlfriend up from work. Drove there and back with no problems. But i still think it's not safe to say I'm out of the woods yet. Possibly tomorrow will be when i test the fuel pump just to eliminate or confirm the problem. Then I'll move on to test other things.

 

haven't got to the fuel pressure test yet. But i did bring my coil and Icm to autozone and they tested okay.