Something freaky happened today, opinions please.

[Pakrat]

OK, well, I have been aching to get back in my car since I got home from China, but the weather had not co-operated until today. So I'm driving to work, I'm about 15 min and 10 miles into it on the back roads when all of a sudden my engine becomes very quite, like it suddenly had a silencer on it. I am hitting the gas pedal and getting absolutely no response what so ever, it's running but feels like it should suddenly stall but just won't. I get prepared to pull over and see what's up when suddenly it sounds like normal and the pedal works just fine and is responsive as usual. I hit the highway in a few miles and open her up to about 75 until I hit my exit (3 or 4 miles) and have no reoccurance, loss of power or otherwsie noticable change. What the heck was up with that do you suppose? If I didn't know better I'd say there was a in my tailpipe that blew out, (and I ain't fallin for no in the tailpipe) but I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did if that were the case. Is it possible that something maybe crawled in to make a nest or something and then it got fried and blew out causuig a temporary block? I know it sounds crazy and I'd think with a dual exhaust that even if so it wouldn't have the affect I experienced, but I have no idea what to make of this and if I should be concerned.

Any thoughts?

 

[stang976]

maybe try some fuel injector cleaner or gumout if your car has been sitting with an old tank of gas.

 

[Pakrat]

Maybe, but my fuel filter is clear and looks fine (only 2 months old), and I just ran the cleaner on the last tankful. I have only been gone for 2 weeks also since last driven.

 

[Ozsum2]

Aliens? Did you happen to notice that 10 to 15 minutes had passed? J/K Sounds like the electrical system went AWOL for a spell.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

its them damn squirrels, they seem to end up everywhere including the bottom of car tires

 

[Hack]

I'm positive that the was in your ear. It's just that the car sounded quiet.

I saw a piece on Mythbusters where they jammed various objects into the tailpipe of a car. All of them were shot out immediately upon starting the car. I don't think that's it.

Could something have somehow blocked the intake? That's the only guess I can come up with. Reduced intake would make things quieter and reduce power, I'd think.

I was thinking it was ignition cutting out, but I would expect loud backfires when the raw fuel hit the hot exhaust. The car should have been plenty warm in 10+ minutes of driving. I had something similar happen years ago with a loose battery clamp that shorted across the posts. The engine died and I had a few big backfires, then the clamp swung away and the car started running again.

I guess I would just take a close look around the engine compartment and consider doing any maintenance that might be overdue. Maybe you'll find something that way.

 

[Pakrat]

Well, I just went thru the whole thing 2 months ago and tweaked and refined everything to squeeze all the last ponies out, so it's defintily not due to any overdue maintanence, if anything this car gets overly maintained. I did pop the hood before going out for lunch, and I did find that a lead from the coil was hanging on by a thread, so the temporary loss of elcectrical theory does make some sense. I guess I can always yard start it tonite and pull the lead to see if I get the same results or not, just to be sure.

Thanks guys.

 

[jikelly]

I guess I can always yard start it tonite and pull the lead to see if I get the same results or not, just to be sure.

I got ZAPPED when I tried that once. The car died when I pulled the lead and it was like 15 minets before my hand stopped tingling.

 

[Route666]

I got ZAPPED when I tried that once. The car died when I pulled the lead and it was like 15 minets before my hand stopped tingling.

Lesson to note: Use a stick.

 

[Pakrat]

I will definitly note that, thanks.

 

[65stanger]

It was those feral Mandarin Chopsticks you insulted by calling their mother a horse!
First they mess with your mind, then........................

 

[Carizzma]

Your pony took a good CRAP

 

[mdjay]

The fuel idea mention could be it. Do you have an electric fuel pump?

The other thing could be ignition failure of some sort...

Good luck. It sucks when problems come and go. It makes it very difficult to narrow down...

 

[Pakrat]

Well, I have been driving everyday to work since with not even the slightest symptom or reaccurance so I am betting it was the elbow connection that came loose on the coil. I will verify it this weekend though when I pop it off with a stick while running. It was so weird though, felt like the car was on autopilot, I can't believe it didn't just stall out.

Damn gremlins!

 

[Ozsum2]

Well, I have been driving everyday to work since with not even the slightest symptom or reaccurance so I am betting it was the elbow connection that came loose on the coil. I will verify it this weekend though when I pop it off with a stick while running. It was so weird though, felt like the car was on autopilot, I can't believe it didn't just stall out.

Damn gremlins!

Probably was energized enough to last on life support for a spell. Glad you go it fixed.

 

[65stanger]

Yo Pak.....There is a car show tomorrow (rain date Sun) 10 miles west of me....it's sponsored by the local Boy Scout troop.....why don't you bring your baby (and the wife too) and check it out?

 

[Pakrat]

Mmm, that sounds intersting, but I already have plans to spend the weekend in Southern Mass with some friends. Between the wife, dog and luggage, I doubt I could even take the Stang down, so even if I can manage to break away I'll be in the JGC instead. That's why I been taking it to work most of this week, becasue my usual weekend time won't get fulfiiled as usual.

Where exactly is it?

 

[65stanger]

Mmm, that sounds intersting, but I already have plans to spend the weekend in Southern Mass with some friends. Between the wife, dog and luggage, I doubt I could even take the Stang down, so even if I can manage to break away I'll be in the JGC instead. That's why I been taking it to work most of this week, becasue my usual weekend time won't get fulfiiled as usual.

Where exactly is it?

Behind the old Peconic Lane school in Southold, just off of Sound Ave (Rte 48).

Always a good show, not really a judged one, more of an LARGE informal display on the school grounds. Lots of antiques, classics, street/hot rods ( there was a bee-yoo-tee-ful REAL '67 Shelby GT500 last year) and not an Eleanore in sight.....
Also quite a few European (Maserati, Ferrari, etc....) too!

 

[randy66gt350]

If your coil connection turns out to not be the problem, you may want to check out your fuel lines. I had one crack a few years back between the tank and the pump. It would suck air and act just like you described. Never smelled or saw fuel.

 

[Pakrat]

Hmmm, now would the fuel problem act up every day though with yours, or just once for 10 seconds in 3 days of driving like mine did?