Sudden car problem...need help?

Question

96 Chevy Lumina van

33 degrees outside, 1/4 tank fuel

This morning I took my husband in to work, van running just fine at normal operating temps. After dropping him off, van started hesitating and lost power before stalling. started again, hesitated, stalled again. did this several times, now won't start at all.
Could there be moisture in the fuel lines causing this even though the van had already been running for about 40 minutes at normal operating temp?
Can't find any info on the internet on fuel line moisture or freeze up symptoms.
This is our only vehicle, so I'm desperate. Can anyone help?

Thanks!

More info:

cranks but will not start. normally tank level is not so low, but it has been around 1/4 tank for a couple days. Weather is in a cold snap right now where overnight lows are below freezing...normal overnight lows are above freezing.
Live in Seattle where it always rains.
Had van in the shop 2 months ago for winterization and a checkup...all was ok.
Have never had a problem with this van before today. This problem is about as sudden as they come.

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and you may have to have this checked to see if its getting fire and fuel,its is possible it may be out of gas,and the gage is stuck on a 1/4 of a tank,id try at least putting fuel in it and see,you need to keep it as full as you can during the winter months to cut down on condensation,that's about all you can do on it,its very possible it may be frozen up,i don't think that's going to be your problem with it,good luck.

Answer 2

Hi, have you filled up your van since then?I totally agree with Dodge Man and I would not let the tank to go below half full most of the time. Winter gasoline should have anti-freeze added in many areas. But, you can also add a bottle of gasoline anti-freeze additive if you want to eliminate the possibility. Also, try to fill up with higher grade gas (i.e. higher octane, supreme) for this time to see if it helps.

I don't know if my encounters were the same as yours since we have different vehicles. One time, it was the dying fuel tank transfer pump (there were two pumps: a primary one outside the fuel tank and a secondary transfer pump inside the fuel tank). The other time on another car, it was a speed sensor. As long as I drove above 3000 rpm on the highway, everything was fine. Then it would hesitated and stalled when I stopped at the light, idled or below 3000 rpm. But, I could not start the car again until it cools down a bit.

Good luck and hope the problem will go away itself soon.

Answer 3

need a little more info, does it crank over but not start ? if you consistently have a low fuel level over the course of the winter,that allows for more condensation to collect in the tank. its possible you sucked up some water. get some fresh gas and a can of dry gas. fuel filter could be plugged too. when was it last changed ? if motor does not turn over then its something all-together different.
also could be a bad fuel pump. turn key on and listen for a hum from the tank area. catalytic converter is a possibility too.

Answer 4

I have had similar problems in the past and it was a bad fuel pump. One thing I would suggest to try to pinpint if this is the problem is to spray starting fluid into the carberator while someone cranks it. If the vehicle starts up and then stalls out quickly using this method then you have a bad fuel pump

Answer 5

try opening the gas cap and seeing if it makes a hissing sound. With only a 1/4 tank you might have vapor lock. If that works, replace your cap. Also, might your fuel filter be clogged? if you got some really crappy gas somewhere that had sludge and they were near empty at the station, it may have gotten pumped into your tank. If the sludge is in your tank, it could crap up the fuel lines. good luck.

Answer 6

It could be the condensation in your tankl. When the water to fuel ratio drops too low the fuel is no longer combustable. There are two things you could do: 1)drain your fuel tank and flush the system, then refuel with good gas, or 2) refuel with a higher octane to help burn off the water content.

Answer 7

Get a fuel additive that takes the water out and adds octane. One bottle in the tank should it. Where did you get your gas last time? Was it someplace different than usual?

Answer 8

could be the fuel pump or the fuel filter, or perhaps your fuel gauge is wrong and you are out of gas, if you get it started next time you fill up, put some fuel cleaner in your tank aswell with the gas

Answer 9

Pour a bottle of "HEET" in the gas tank, then fill tank. You also need to keep the tank full as much as possible.

You can find Heet at any of your local parts stores or possibly at a gas station.

Answer 10

This sounds like a timing belt or timing chain problem however it could be fuel related as well such as bad fuel filter,fuel pump,or a fuel pressure regulator.