cats n dogs

[nyernga]

Symptom: Car runs great. Hasn't left me stranded in almost 5 years. Last saturday after a short run it wouldn't start. Cranked strong, would "catch" and idle at 400 then die. "feathering" the gas was no help. It actually died faster that way. I waited about 5 minutes and it started right up, ran strong and idled fine. I attributed it to having just filled the tank and vapor lock.

Fast forward to yesterday...car ran fine during the week when I would take it out. Ran to Mcdonalds, came out and BAM.....same thing. I waited 5 and it started great. Got home, fiddled about the house and took my son to the movies. No repeat of the problem.

I have noted that when I first start up, a "rattling" sound that sounds like it's coming from the cat. (pre-cats have been removed) Could the cat cool down enough in the brief 5 minutes and then allow the car to run fine? It doesn't happen every time which is why I'm suspecting it's the cat.

Len

Bad cats make cars run like dogs......coincidence? I think not...

 

[Mad-Mic]

Symptom: Car runs great. Hasn't left me stranded in almost 5 years. Last saturday after a short run it wouldn't start. Cranked strong, would "catch" and idle at 400 then die. "feathering" the gas was no help. It actually died faster that way. I waited about 5 minutes and it started right up, ran strong and idled fine. I attributed it to having just filled the tank and vapor lock.

Fast forward to yesterday...car ran fine during the week when I would take it out. Ran to Mcdonalds, came out and BAM.....same thing. I waited 5 and it started great. Got home, fiddled about the house and took my son to the movies. No repeat of the problem.

I have noted that when I first start up, a "rattling" sound that sounds like it's coming from the cat. (pre-cats have been removed) Could the cat cool down enough in the brief 5 minutes and then allow the car to run fine? It doesn't happen every time which is why I'm suspecting it's the cat.

Len

Bad cats make cars run like dogs......coincidence? I think not...

could be but i'm thinking fuel pump. could be it's starting to fail.

 

[C4Tom]

Yea... sounds like a fuel pump. The fill just before it started happening makes me think you have debris or water in your tank.

 

[grapeknutz]

The rattling from the cat is what I think maybe the problem! If it has a lot of mileage it could be the culprit. First thing would be to check the fuel pressure to the injectors and see in fact if the pump is going bad. This in turn can cause the engine to lean out and melt the cat sub straight and break and cause the rattle that you hear. So not to scare you it might be two problems you are facing

 

[nyernga]

Well the fuel pump is about 4 years old. rarely gets below 1/4 tank if ever but that's not to say it can't be going bad. Good news? The fuel pump is fixable by me. The cat? I'm going to need to "farm" that one out I'm afraid.
Thanks guys for the "reinforcement" of what I think it may be. Last tune up was 5 years/40k miles so it'll be getting one of them as well.

Len

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Bad cats make cars run like dogs......coincidence? I think not...

See Len, I've been trying to tell you... All you need is a good cat and it'll purr all day long!
Heidi

 

[nyernga]

See Len, I've been trying to tell you... All you need is a good cat and it'll purr all day long!
Heidi

Me? own a cat? Unless in ended in ...erpillar, it's not bloddy likely Heidi....

Len

 

[srs244]

Me? own a cat? Unless in ended in ...erpillar, it's not bloddy likely Heidi....

Len

len
i agree!! the only good cat is a dead cat (unless it ends in ipiller, lol)!! sorry heidi. dog people here!!

steve

 

[nyernga]

len
i agree!! the only good cat is a dead cat (unless it ends in ipiller, lol)!! sorry heidi. dog people here!!

steve

I appreciate the support Steve.....

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Well, "nanny-nanny-boo-boo!" to you both! (blowing a raspberry here....)
Heidi

Hmmm, just leaves more cats for me.


BTW, the ends in "..ipillar" was great! :L

 

[Moonunit 451]

len
i agree!! the only good cat is a dead cat (unless it ends in ipiller, lol)!! sorry heidi. dog people here!!

steve

I agree, although the onesw you don't have to feed, pay attention to or let in the house and kill other pests are OK by me :L I would agree with Mic here for a place to start, although there could be other things. If it was the cat you would likely notice it in other perfomance problems than what you have described.

 

[Mad-Mic]

Well the fuel pump is about 4 years old. rarely gets below 1/4 tank if ever but that's not to say it can't be going bad. Good news? The fuel pump is fixable by me. The cat? I'm going to need to "farm" that one out I'm afraid.
Thanks guys for the "reinforcement" of what I think it may be. Last tune up was 5 years/40k miles so it'll be getting one of them as well.

Len

come on Len you don't have 2 jack stands, 9/16 wrench, 5/8 wrench, big long screw driver, and a big hammer? that'll fix your old one :gap

the jobs doable but you didn't hear anything from me. :Twist