Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Subject:  Car died going down the road

Cindy asks:  My car died while driving down the road. It was very low on gas but the gas light hadn’t gone off yet and I was headed to the gas station. I put at least 3 gallons of gas in it and it still didn’t start. It is turning over good just not starting.

Someone came and looked at it and checked the coil packs. He said one was bad but then put the one he thought was bad on the other side and it sparked so now he thinks there is something keeping one side from sparking and thinks both coil packs are good. I drive a Mitsubishi Gallant 2000.

Subject:  Engine turns over but will not start

Donald ask:  I have an 89 Chevy S-10 with a 4.3 V6. I am having a problem with it running without the vacuum line hooked up to the map sensor but when I hook up the vacuum line to the map sensor it will turn over and attempt to start but will not run. Might you have any ideas what could be causing this and is there anything that I should be looking for?

Donald, this explains what the MAP does… I found this info online:

Subject:  How to Fix My Car

Michelle states:  Hello Dave my name is Michelle and I like to ask you a question about my car. My car was running hot and I pulled over on the side of the rode and it shut off on me. Then we put water in it and there was just a little of oil in the oil so we put a quart of oil in and drove it about 5 miles and it did it again. I’m losing water and don?t know where; my husband says the head gaskets but we are not sure. We don?t know how to tell can you please help me. Thank you.

Doug asks:  My 2000 Chevy Venture ran out of gas a few days ago and has not started even though I put gas in the tank. I was told it could be a fuel filter problem because it acts like it wants to start but doesn’t turn over fully. After a few hours I tried again and it did start only it sputtered for a few seconds and shut right back off. I’ve tried pressing on the acceleration but it still sputters and shuts off. Is it the fuel filter like I was told, or a more serious and expensive problem like the fuel pump? Help!