need help...car revs high and when in gear it dies.

[Geminiroq]

Guys,

I need your help....

I am looking to buy a Grand Wagoneer and the owner says that when he starts it up...it revs high. Then when you put it in gear...the engine dies.

I thought the carb was sticking but he said it looks to be working ok.

I need some help.:banghead:

Thanks...

Ronnie

[unclethumbtack]

Vaccuum leak. Not a 100% but if I was guessing.

[etjeep]

Gemini,
Do you have other info, like year, motor, etc. That might help.

Knowing nothing about your engine I don't know if there is an exact answer to this but my first comment is. What is the timing set at? What rpms is it running when at idle and warm, timing could be set too low. Is it warmed up when you put in gear? The wrong stat could cause longer warmup time if the auto choke is still on.

[Geminiroq]

Eric,

Good question....this rig is about 150-200 miles away from home and that is all the info the owner is giving me.

Here is what I do know regarding the engine...

1990 Grand Wagoneer
360 engine
2 barrel carb

He said he left it sitting for about 6 months and then this started to happen. Before that...he said it ran good.

I wish I had more to give....

Thanks again...

Ronnie

[joe]

I'd also guess a vacuum leak.

[RAMBLINFSJ]

I'd also guess a vacuum leak.

Ditto

[Ralph]

Ditto on the vacuum leak.

The rationale for our responses - aside from our collective experience dealing with vacuum leaks:

1) The car has been sitting for several months, which gives vacuum hoses plenty of time to dry-rot and spring tiny leaks;

2) Someone has tinkered with the idle to get it to run, idling at high rpm, but when the engine is put under load it dies.

If the Wag is in otherwise good shape, this is the kind of opportunity one of us would be looking for. An easy fixer, that the present owner thinks is junk or FUBAR'ed!

[Geminiroq]

Thanks guys :thumbsup: