At idel it feels fine, and I can rev it all the way to red line in Neutral.

In drive or under a load the engine doesnt sound right when I push the gas, it hesitates, and bucks, and sounds excessively loopy. I had to floor it just to get up a hill and it felt like it was going to die any minute.

I'm home now, today was excessively hot, I had the AC on, but I turned it off when it started to have problems.

I bought a fuel filter but couldnt install it, with a full tank of gas and the rear wheels off the ground gas kept pouring out so I couldnt take off the old filter

I made an appointment to get the fuel filter installed, not untill wed though, hopefuly thats it (and it's still broken) I cant imagine it's wires or spark because I would think my "service engine" light would come on or the idel in Neutral would be choppy too.

Any idea's? I'm back to driving the Tahoe till it's fixed


This just isnt my week with engine's, last week my Jet Boat died on me and that too is getting fixed, now my computer is making wierd noises

 

It very well could be wires or plugs. I had a bad plug that made the car drive like crap and it didn't throw a code until I floored the sumbitch.

I doubt it is the fuel filter unless its the original...

Sounds like you just need a good old fashion tune up...

 

It is the origional fuel filter, Pretty much everything is origional, I only have 36K, I dont drive this that much.

 

I had a problem just like that and i thought it was the transmission slipping. After talking to a few people i changed my plugs and wires. That was the problem, just try changing your plugs and wires, if that doesn't work take it in. I am 95% sure it is your plugs and wires though.

 

1998 + 36k on stock plugs and wires...

Wires are a worthwhile upgrade, especially in our cars. You may as well just have the plugs replaced as well and have some heat shields/boots put on too.

I'm on a Taylor 8mm/Delco Rapidfire combo that has lasted longer than my two previous setups.

Good luck...don't get too discouraged. Its a reason to get better parts!

 

my car did the exact same thing.....I replaced fuel filter, wires, plugs, and it still did it. Turned out to be the cat....only different was that I had 78K....still might wanna look into the cat though....

 

I have 85,000 miles on my '98. Original fuel filter. I've run 150hp shot of nitrous on it, and I'm currently running a 10psi supercharger. The filter seems to be fine for running mid to low 13 second times.

The most likely culprit is wires or plugs. A burnt or loose wire is very likely. #6 seems to be the worst about going bad.

Might be the cat, but not likely. I put a high flow on mine around 75,000 miles at the same time I did headers and 3" exhaust, so I can't vouch for how long the stock one lasts.

 

It coudl be your CAT... but you would likely get a CAT...

I had my CAT replaced at 35k...

I would also consider dong a tuneup....


check out the sticky, in this section about the "mysterious misfire"

lots of good info on misfire problems very commone in 3.8Ls

 

I talked with the mechanic, he said my #6 wire went out and they ordered one to replace it.

I'm not really sure how good it is to just replace one wire, if thats the case I'll look into changing them all and the spark plugs too.

I dont know if I should even attempt this myself, maybe I'll just pay someone to do them all, I've never really seen where all the spark plugs go in this car anyways.

 

Its very simple to do, even though its intimidating. just replacing it will fix it but not in the long run, better to order new ones like
accel extreme 9000 spark plug wires they can take way more heat than the stockers. as for spark plugs just get a deep socket wrench and screw them on and off but be gentle. and also do one spark plug wire at a time so you dont get mixed up where which one goes, good luck.

 

I know we have different exhaust manifod but hell i made heatsleeves and install my plugs and wires in like 45 minutes.

#6, is that the rear passgner side one? Mine was sitting on my exhaust manifold from the factory...

I replaced and did heatslieeves and have had no problems since, and if ever does happen to land on the exhaust manifold again I have at least some protection now.

 

I got it back yesterday, they replaced the #6 wire and spark plug, I also had them change the coolent & transmition fluid/filter (probibly needed it)

I'm going to re-search the wires/plugs, their something I dont know much about and probibly order something. Luckly our 3800 engine's have some more room to work with, but I still might just pay someone once I get that stuff together.

The only thing I can predict I might need is new tires within the next year or so, in the last few months I've pretty much replaced everything that could go wrong/need replacing.

~chris