Why does it keep dying????

[BigBadWag]

Ok, it seems like every time I hit a big mud hole or puddle and I've got the gas pedal 1/4 to 1/2 of the way to the floor doing maybe 10-15mph, the Wag will hit the hole and I'll try to give it some gas (not full throttle, just about 3/4 of the way) and get it through but it seems to sputter out and die. I'm thinking maybe something to do with the carb? Then once it cuts off, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get it started back up. When it cuts off, I'll sit and wait about 5-10 mins before trying to start it again. Then when I try I usually have to choke it a couple times and then unchoke it and pump the pedal about 15-20 times. Whenever it cuts off, the temp gauge reads about 190-200 degrees. So before I start it back I usually let it go down to about 180 degrees. She's done this to me about 3 times now, and now I'm ready to figure out what's wrong. Any ideas?

[Damage, Inc.]

What do you mean by 'cuts out'? Does it crank over? Does it fire and not start?
Also, give some details on what you have...engine, carb, fuel pump (electric/mech), etc.

[BigBadWag]

1974 360, Quadrajet 4 barrel, manual choke, and I don't know about the fuel pump (how can I find out?). As for cutting out, it's hard to explain. It's running when it hits the hole, then when I push the pedal about 3/4 of the way to the floor and the RPM's rise it just pretty much sputters and dies. Then after it dies, if you try to start it, it cranks meaning the starter is doing its job, but it doesn't turn over. It just sits there and cranks and I have to pump the pedal anywhere from 10-30 times. I hope that clears it up a little :confused:

[PlumCrazyChris]

The same thing happened to me on my way back from Mexico....in the middle of nowhere (of course). I tried a few things, and then searched for similar problems in this forum, ie. sputtering, dying. Anyway, it turned out to be the ingition module. I think.....I replaced it, the dist cap, rotar and plug wires. By the time I was done it was working fine, but I think it was the ignition module. That seemed to be the problem with several other FSjeepers with the same symptoms as well.

Good luck and let us know what it was when you get it figured out.

[Damage, Inc.]

I'd assume something is loose, somewhere. Does it do this all the time? Or just intermittently?
Next time it does it, remove the air cleaner, and, WITHOUT turning it over, look into the carb and open the throttle. You should see fuel squirting into the manifold.
If so, that's good. Now you need to look at the ignition.
If you DON'T see fuel, then it's obviously fuel related.

If you're anxious to get to wrenching, things that pop into my mind:

Carburetor. When was the last time it was rebuilt? Debris in the bowl could cause this.
Points. Check these! Clean them!

[ September 19, 2002, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Damage, Inc. ]

[andy d]

maybe the plugwires/cap are getting wet

[beater]

yea smething in the igntion is getting wet