1985 GL Wagon Sputtering

[Shawt Reteo]

I have an 85 GL 4WD Wagon (not turbo). Had it for 11 years, and it's
been an awesome car for a non-mechanic like me. Had the engine
rebuilt about 9 years ago, have had some exhaust work done over the
years, and have replaced a few parts (like the alternator) myself, but
I haven't done a great job maintaining the car, so I'm lucky it's
lasted me this long. About 220,000 miles.

I was going down the freeway the other day, going about 45 mph,
accelerating in 4th gear, when the car just started sputtering,
shaking, and chugging. I let off the gas a bit and it stopped. I was
able to get home fine, but whenever I would give it too much gas it
would start sputtering again.

It's been a little over a week since then, and I'm still having the
same problem. Haven't done much freeway driving since then, but
whenever I get up to about 40-45 mph and still accelerating at a
decent rate, it starts chugging again. Accelerate more slowly and
it's fine.

Any ideas? Like I said, I'm not a mechanic and I haven't maintained
it very well, but I've poked around under the hood enough to know my
way around.

I appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks!

 

[mulder]

Look at the basic maintenance items first- plugs, wires, coils, fuel
filter. Beyond that the carburetor might need some attention.

 

[JazzMan]

I have an 85 GL 4WD Wagon (not turbo). Had it for 11 years, and it's
been an awesome car for a non-mechanic like me. Had the engine
rebuilt about 9 years ago, have had some exhaust work done over the
years, and have replaced a few parts (like the alternator) myself, but
I haven't done a great job maintaining the car, so I'm lucky it's
lasted me this long. About 220,000 miles.

I was going down the freeway the other day, going about 45 mph,
accelerating in 4th gear, when the car just started sputtering,
shaking, and chugging. I let off the gas a bit and it stopped. I was
able to get home fine, but whenever I would give it too much gas it
would start sputtering again.

It's been a little over a week since then, and I'm still having the
same problem. Haven't done much freeway driving since then, but
whenever I get up to about 40-45 mph and still accelerating at a
decent rate, it starts chugging again. Accelerate more slowly and
it's fine.

Any ideas? Like I said, I'm not a mechanic and I haven't maintained
it very well, but I've poked around under the hood enough to know my
way around.

I appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks!

This sounds like a classic case of either a weak fuel pump,
or more likely, a clogged fuel filter. In any case, the filter
is easy to change and doesn't cost much.

Another possibility is water in the fuel, if the filter
doesn't change matters then dump a can of drygas in the
tank, or very high percentage rubbing alcohol.

JazzMan
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[Shawt Reteo]

Thanks for the recommendations! I put a new fuel filter on this
weekened and it worked like a charm!