95 burb with an engine issue

[tabascotk]

I have a 1995 Suburban that I bought from a guy a little while ago. He had the engine rebuilt before I bought it and didn't drive it much. Anyway, the truck starts fine and runs fine until it's warm. Once it's warm, I get a strong gas smell, and when I come to a stop the engine sounds like it's going to die but doesn't. I had to replace the distributor on it because it was wore down. Also, when I'm cruising around 55, the engine shudders a bit. Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?

[ct9a]

Maybe stuck open injector(s)?

[tabascotk]

Oh, one other thing. I was driving over the weekend, and the service engine light came on for about 10 minutes. Then it just turned off. Could bad O2 sensor cause this?

[retired]

It could be anything take it your local mechanic and have him take a look at it for you.

[opusd2]

Are there problems with the engine when it is under load? If when warm you encounter these issues, it could be the ignition control module. Check your timing when warm, see if it advances.

[opusd2]

Or it could possibly be EGR related, it sounds like how a vacuum issue would act. Just two ideas that are easy enough to check out.

[JMoney02]

It could be anything take it your local mechanic and have him take a look at it for you.

Retired is right, at this point you have inherited another mans troubles, one who appears to not have enough mechanics backround. Unless you are willing to throw money at it then you should take the good advice and get it sound first then start to make it yours.......

Jeff

[abnsigo]

Did it run like this before the distributor change? If not, maybe the distributor is installed a tooth off. I did that when I changed a distributor and it ran similar to what you describe. Just a thought. Good luck.

[vncj96]

carbon canister will give you the gas smell when there is a problem with it

[Big6ft6]

I think old gas sounds like most likely culprit.

Otherwise, how does your truck start after it is warm? Does it take extra cranking? If so...

Check your Coolant Temperature Sensor, it is easy to check resistance with a ohmeter (or just replace $11.99 autozone) becuase it is right in the front of the manifold next to thermo housing. The coolant temp sensor determines the air fuel ratio, if it is not working quite right...you'll be too rich once the engine warms up. AT least one possibility.

Try to catch the check engine light when it is on next.

[Bearkat]

Sounds like it is stuck in the Open Loop mode which can be caused by cooling issues or like you said a bad O2 sensor.

[tabascotk]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I normally would go through and check all these things before taking it to my shop, but it just hit -4 degrees today. Which isn't too bad, until you factor in the -32 wind chill. That being said, I'll probably just suck it up and take it to my shop.

You're right though Jeff, I did inherit another mans troubles. Last night I was driving, and all the lights started to flicker. Headlights, dash, I didn't check the tail lights, but I'm guessing those were flickering too. So I shut off the heat and radio, and it stopped. The volt gauge was showing just above 14, so I'm thinking it's just the battery. I'll be bringing that to the battery store to have it checked out. Good thing the economy is so good I can just keep dumping money in to this thing :grrrrrr:

[Big6ft6]

Flickering? Make sure you don't have a loose ground somewhere..this could be reeking havoc as well. I noticed that when I was pulling apart my truck GM had ground wires connecting EVERYTHING! Tons of them all over...so I'm assuming there were ground issues with these trucks.

Might be worth just looking around and cleaning tightening your grounds.