2002 RS act like its out of gas - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

kfbrinton · 07-10-2008, 12:32 PM

I was driving down the road and it just stopped like it was out of gas. Gage showed more than a half tank. Luckily is was in front of a gas station. Push it in and added gas just in case the gage was wrong. It started for a minute, sputtered and died. Tried again - got the same result. It acts like it is out of gas. I had it towed home! Suggestions?

*Mr. Wyndham* · 07-10-2008, 12:39 PM

Bad fuel pump, fuel filter? In that respect it would be out of gas

....oops, not funny.

But there are some very knowledgeable people around here that know more specific issues the 4thgens had than I do. I'm sure they'll be able to help.

theholycow · 07-10-2008, 12:44 PM

My first instinct would be fuel pump or fuel filter, too.

Anyway....Got air, fuel, spark?

*GTAHVIT* · 07-10-2008, 01:08 PM

I'd check the Fuel filter first, Fuel pump second, Fuel pressure regulator third.

Fuel filters are pretty easy, just hard to reach. I'm guessing the pump is in the tank? I've changed a fuel pressure regulator on a 5.7 vortech motor. I had to remove the upper intake ??? Damn I forget what it's called. The plastic, piece on top of the manifold itself... Anyway I had to take that off to get the FPR... The hardest part was the wireing harness.... Took about 2 hours. Not too bad if you like to turn your own wrenches.

jm5877 · 07-29-2008, 02:48 AM

Yeah, fuel filter or pump, maybe injectors???. I had a problem with my '99 Camaro sputtering and dying when I put a couple tanks of lower octane gas in it. The check engine light came on, the works. Until that point I had put at least 91-93 octane in it. I put a bottle of fuel system cleaner in it and a full tank of 93 octane, then took it out on the interstate and ran it at about 110mph flat out for five miles or so, never had a problem after that.

Bumble Bee '77 · 07-29-2008, 12:01 PM

Ive heard that the Optispark distributor on the 200* series Camaros, because of its placement can cause problems such as these. MSD makes a replacement thats fully sealed against the elements. Might want to check into that.

MajorTom · 08-18-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfbrinton

I was driving down the road and it just stopped like it was out of gas. Gage showed more than a half tank. Luckily is was in front of a gas station. Push it in and added gas just in case the gage was wrong. It started for a minute, sputtered and died. Tried again - got the same result. It acts like it is out of gas. I had it towed home! Suggestions?

I'm an apprentice mechanic and from my experience, that sounds like a fuel pump. Just like everyone said.. If it were a bad injector, it would most likely sound like you have a misfire.

Good news is, if you're not opposed to cutting a hole over the gas tank of your car, it's possible to change the fuel pump without taking the whole rear suspension (which according to shop manuals is the process required to replace the fuel pump) and pull the pump out there. If you do a google search for Camaro fuel pump replacement there are walkthrus available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble Bee '77

Ive heard that the Optispark distributor on the 200* series Camaros, because of its placement can cause problems such as these. MSD makes a replacement thats fully sealed against the elements. Might want to check into that.

I believe that's for the LT1 engine. My buddy had one of those and it was a pain in the ass. The 3.8 liter like the OP has are much less difficult to deal with.

*radz28* · 08-19-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorTom

I'm an apprentice mechanic and from my experience, that sounds like a fuel pump. Just like everyone said.. If it were a bad injector, it would most likely sound like you have a misfire.

Good news is, if you're not opposed to cutting a hole over the gas tank of your car, it's possible to change the fuel pump without taking the whole rear suspension (which according to shop manuals is the process required to replace the fuel pump) and pull the pump out there. If you do a google search for Camaro fuel pump replacement there are walkthrus available.

I believe that's for the LT1 engine. My buddy had one of those and it was a pain in the ass. The 3.8 liter like the OP has are much less difficult to deal with.

Optispark is only on the Gen. II LT1 and L99

*The_Blur* · 08-19-2008, 09:12 PM

Is there a ping pong ball in your gas tank? Do you have any enemies?

TFord · 08-20-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtahvit

I'd check the Fuel filter first, Fuel pump second, Fuel pressure regulator third.

Fuel filters are pretty easy, just hard to reach. I'm guessing the pump is in the tank? I've changed a fuel pressure regulator on a 5.7 vortech motor. I had to remove the upper intake ??? Damn I forget what it's called. The plastic, piece on top of the manifold itself... Anyway I had to take that off to get the FPR... The hardest part was the wireing harness.... Took about 2 hours. Not too bad if you like to turn your own wrenches.

what I was gonna say....mabe I should just stop posting....seriously though sounds like one of those three....Id go fuel pump first...but the fuel filter is a much easier/quicker fix if it is the problem.

oldchevyguy · 08-27-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble Bee '77

Ive heard that the Optispark distributor on the 200* series Camaros, because of its placement can cause problems such as these. MSD makes a replacement thats fully sealed against the elements. Might want to check into that.

optispark was only used on the LT1 1993-1997

07-10-2008, 12:32 PM	#1
kfbrinton Drives: 2002 Blue RS 5 speed Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 2	2002 RS act like its out of gas I was driving down the road and it just stopped like it was out of gas. Gage showed more than a half tank. Luckily is was in front of a gas station. Push it in and added gas just in case the gage was wrong. It started for a minute, sputtered and died. Tried again - got the same result. It acts like it is out of gas. I had it towed home! Suggestions?

07-10-2008, 12:39 PM	#2
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,876 View My Garage	Bad fuel pump, fuel filter? In that respect it would be out of gas ....oops, not funny. But there are some very knowledgeable people around here that know more specific issues the 4thgens had than I do. I'm sure they'll be able to help. __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

07-10-2008, 01:08 PM	#4
GTAHVIT Blessed Drives: 2013 Sonic RS MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saint Augustine FL Posts: 28,444 View My Garage	I'd check the Fuel filter first, Fuel pump second, Fuel pressure regulator third. Fuel filters are pretty easy, just hard to reach. I'm guessing the pump is in the tank? I've changed a fuel pressure regulator on a 5.7 vortech motor. I had to remove the upper intake ??? Damn I forget what it's called. The plastic, piece on top of the manifold itself... Anyway I had to take that off to get the FPR... The hardest part was the wireing harness.... Took about 2 hours. Not too bad if you like to turn your own wrenches. __________________ Click image to see build thread. PQ - "the love of cars. It's a boys first step toward manhood and a mans last hold on boyhood." Fbodfather - "We do not want to use the Z28 moniker on a car that does not deserve this hallowed name." The_Blur - "Let's not confuse competitors with equals."

07-29-2008, 02:48 AM	#5
jm5877 Drives: 2002 Chevrolet Camaro (Black) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: LaPorte, IN USA Posts: 13	Yeah, fuel filter or pump, maybe injectors???. I had a problem with my '99 Camaro sputtering and dying when I put a couple tanks of lower octane gas in it. The check engine light came on, the works. Until that point I had put at least 91-93 octane in it. I put a bottle of fuel system cleaner in it and a full tank of 93 octane, then took it out on the interstate and ran it at about 110mph flat out for five miles or so, never had a problem after that. __________________ Current Camaro: 2002 Coupe - V6 (Black/Ebony) Previous Camaros: 1984 Sport Coupe - 4cyl (White/Blue) 1993 Coupe - V6 (Black/Charcoal) 1999 Coupe - V6 (Black/Charcoal) Future Camaro: 2010 LT/RS Coupe - V6 (Black/Neutral)

08-19-2008, 09:12 PM	#9
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,769	Is there a ping pong ball in your gas tank? Do you have any enemies? __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

07-29-2008, 12:01 PM	#6
Bumble Bee '77 AutoBot Scout Drives: 2002 ZRS Camaro Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 594 View My Garage	Ive heard that the Optispark distributor on the 200* series Camaros, because of its placement can cause problems such as these. MSD makes a replacement thats fully sealed against the elements. Might want to check into that.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Punks puncture gas tanks	Scotsman	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	22	05-30-2008 02:19 AM
gas prices.	Congoman775	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	65	05-28-2008 12:20 PM
Gas engines: Here to stay	Mr. Wyndham	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	0	05-05-2008 03:34 PM
Gas Guzzler Tax	Roflmao	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	11	02-29-2008 05:29 PM
Gas is 3$ a gallon for good.	28Dennis	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	35	10-02-2007 12:00 PM