Comments on: Car Stalling

Question: Car Stalling

wendell — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:06:09 -0800

Because I'd Rather Ask You Asshats Than Call Click & Clack: Unexplined car stalling: '96 Taurus, after driving a long time in warm weather, when idling (more under the hood)

I replaced a leaky radiator last summer that caused it to overheat, then started getting this problem: warm day (80+F), when the car has been used for over an hour with only brief periods stopped and parked, on city streets or stop-and-go freeways, it starts idling rough and within a few seconds chugs to a halt and can't be restarted. Resting it for 15-30 minutes 'cools it down' (no, the temp guage never goes above midpoint) so it runs again, but it stalls again after a few stoplights. I don't really have a mechanic I can TRUST, so the more I know about what ails it before I take it in the better. Or is it time to donate it to charity for a tax deduction?

By: ikkyu2

ikkyu2 — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:14:13 -0800

Sounds like vapor lock to me, but am I ever not a mechanic.

By: ParisParamus

ParisParamus — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:19:25 -0800

You better explain to our international audience Click and Clack.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:25:30 -0800

It also sounds like vapor lock to me, though I am usually used to it being a "no start" problem, not a stop-while-driving problem which means it may not be vapor lock. This forum thread has some more people chiming in on what seems to be an identical problem to yours.

By: trharlan

trharlan — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:26:43 -0800

If your 96 was manufactured in 95, vapor lock is a good guess.

By: Doohickie

Doohickie — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 13:54:11 -0800

Actually, cartalk.com, has a good cartalk section where you can post your stuff to a bb and get answers from certified motor heads.

I had an Escort that would quit when it got hot, but rather than sputtering and dying, it would just die. It turned out to be the ignition switch. Maybe Tauruses have the same switch?

By: wendell

wendell — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 14:05:24 -0800

Vapor Lock sounds like what's happening to me... Thanks, ikky, jess and trh. At least now I can go to a mechanic and not sound like a doofus (on preview, Dooh, I'll keep your ignition switch idea in my back pocket).

And PP, I thought the whole WORLD knew about the folks at Dewey, Cheetham & Howe...

By: rushmc

rushmc — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 14:16:40 -0800

Nice strategy, insulting those whom you are asking for help...

By: exlotuseater

exlotuseater — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 14:34:17 -0800

Probably vapah lawk.
/tappet brother.

By: grouse

grouse — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 14:41:45 -0800

Uh, that's BecauseI'dRatherAskYouAsshatsThanCallClickAndClackFilter.

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 15:10:32 -0800

And with that said and done, it's time for this week's --

--oh, waitaminute! That WAS this week's puzzler! Probably even "Stump the Chumps", too!

By: Mayor Curley

Mayor Curley — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 15:11:14 -0800

Classic vapor lock. Have the fuel pump replaced and it should go away.

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 15:38:21 -0800

And how do you spell yah name? Lemme guess? W.....E....N...

By: JohnR

JohnR — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:31:34 -0800

I had a similar problem and symptoms once. It turned out to be the fuel filter needed changing. I forget the logic of it now. If you haven't done it lately just try it, they're cheap.

By: JohnR

JohnR — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:35:49 -0800

Oh and don't buy that real cheap gas.

By: kindall

kindall — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:42:38 -0800

The proximate cause may be vapor lock, but the ultimate cause is buying a Ford.

By: Karmakaze

Karmakaze — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 18:34:11 -0800

My mechanic friend says try checking the coolant level; there might be an air bubble keeping the gague from showing the overheat.

By: Nothing

Nothing — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:12:58 -0800

Could also be the intake manifold. If it's stuck open, your mixture will be too lean at idle. I don't know all that much about engines, but this happened to my car, and the symptoms were as you describe.

By: Doohickie

Doohickie — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 22:01:23 -0800

Try humming Dixie and patting your head. I had the same exact problem, and that fixed it for me.

By: sysinfo

sysinfo — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 05:06:55 -0800

Given that a friend of mine had this issue with a Ford of similar vintage, I'd assume vapor lock as well.

"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But, there's nothing funny about vapour lock. It's the third most common cause of stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked. I'm Joe Namath. Good night!"