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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1991 Pontiac Trans Am, Rough Running
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Question
After taking our Trans am out of its winter sleep and giving it a general once over it was time to enjoy the weather and go for a cruise. The first 10 kilometers were great, then for no apparent reason the car started to buck and stutter, we pulled over right away and the only thing that was out of place was a vacuum line, after hooking it back up we were able to limp back home. At no time did the Service Engine Light come on, and there were no other indicators that something really major was wrong. My first thoughts are that my wife filled the car with bad Gas before putting it to sleep, or that the Fuel Filter may be Clogged. Could you offer other possible causes and solutions for this problem ? Thanks
General information about the car
1991, V8, 42,000 ( Original Kilometers ), no tuning or modifications have been done to this car, everything is original.
The first thing that I do to any computer equipped car with a running problem is to hook up a scanner and get readings on the various sensors and controls regardless of the Check Engine light on or off. Sensors can be out of range a little bit and cause a running problem without turning on the engine light. Then check the obvious like the spark plugs, wiring and ignition system. Diagnosis is a bit complicated and there are dozens of things that can make and engine run rough.
Brad
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks Brad, I have done exactly what you said, and the end result was exactly what I had suspected. After sitting still the whole winter, residue setteld in the tank, and during the first drive of the year it got spun up in mass and was clogging the feul filter, after replacing it and having another Diagnotics done the problem seens to be taken care of. Thanks for your Fast Response and Information. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Brad Sears
Expertise
All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.
Experience
Automotive tech instructor.
Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's.
Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's
TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated.
Auto instructor for the following companies:
Fram
Autolyte
Holly
Carter
AMF
Ford Motor
University Of Conn
Blue Hills Technical School
Sugar River Technical Center
Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.
Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.
Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember.
Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.
Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.
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