GM 3800 Stalls

I have a 92 Olds 88 with a 3800 engine I bought about 2 years ago. I
the gas tank gets to a quarter tank or below it stalls when I make
right turn or if I park on a hill with the front of the car facin
downhill. I just attributed it to the location of the fuel pickup i
the gas tank.

My daughter bought a 94 Buick LeSabre, also a 3800, about 8 months ag
and it showed the same traits. I attributed it to the fact that the
are pretty much the same car and it had the same problem. The proble
with hers is slowly getting worse. Now it can happen when the tank i
just below half full. Also, when she pulls up to a stop sign it ma
die. I started looking for a solution on the internet and starte
seeing things like the MAF sensor, Crank sensor, EGR valve and man
more. Any suggestions as to what this may be or a logica
troubleshooting series to keep from replacing sensors and such on
"try this and see if it works" mindset?

Neither car has had a "Check Engine" light.

Thank

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a124sparky wrote:

> I have a 92 Olds 88 with a 3800 engine I bought about 2 years ago. If
> the gas tank gets to a quarter tank or below it stalls when I make a
> right turn or if I park on a hill with the front of the car facing
> downhill. I just attributed it to the location of the fuel pickup in
> the gas tank.
>
> My daughter bought a 94 Buick LeSabre, also a 3800, about 8 months ago
> and it showed the same traits. I attributed it to the fact that they
> are pretty much the same car and it had the same problem. The problem
> with hers is slowly getting worse. Now it can happen when the tank is
> just below half full. Also, when she pulls up to a stop sign it may
> die. I started looking for a solution on the internet and started
> seeing things like the MAF sensor, Crank sensor, EGR valve and many
> more.

Stalling at a stoplight on level ground while running is
almost always the EGR valve. The MAF is also most likely
on its way out(they last about 10 years or so - 15 is the
longest I've seen one alive for)

The timing gear should also be changed - the main cog is
synthetic and not steel. Replace with steel and get
a new chain(plus replace the sensor inside). That should
take care of the timing for another 100K+ miles.

I guess what I'm actually looking for is a troubleshooting procedure s
I'm not just replacing components to see if that cures the problem.
I'd like to actually fix the problem instead of being a parts change
until I stumble onto what it is

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The 92 might be suffering from a weak fuel pump - 13 years is a long
time if it original.
The timing gears are steel sprockets - no nylon teeth.

Good Luck.

Harryface
05 Park Avenue
91 Bonneville LE, 303,555 miles

a124sparky wrote:

> I guess what I'm actually looking for is a troubleshooting procedure so
> I'm not just replacing components to see if that cures the problem.
> I'd like to actually fix the problem instead of being a parts changer
> until I stumble onto what it is.

I understand, but these three items will all need to be
replaced within the next year or two anyways if they
are original.

In my case, the timing chain cost an extra $350 because
the cam button bround a hole in the cover - clean through it,
in fact. Getting it fixed before then will mean you can re-use
the old cover. Also get the water pump done at the same
time. These last about 60K-80K on average, or about that
a belt or chain does(yes, chains stretch and "wear out")

Harry Face wrote:

> The 92 might be suffering from a weak fuel pump - 13 years is a long
> time if it original.
> The timing gears are steel sprockets - no nylon teeth.

When did they change this? I think it was in the early 90s,
but I'm not sure.

I am having the same problem. I hope this isn't a stupid question
but so be it. What does EGR stand for? Thanks.




On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 07:51:52 GMT, Joseph Oberlander
<josephoberlander@earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>
>a124sparky wrote:
>
>> I have a 92 Olds 88 with a 3800 engine I bought about 2 years ago. If
>> the gas tank gets to a quarter tank or below it stalls when I make a
>> right turn or if I park on a hill with the front of the car facing
>> downhill. I just attributed it to the location of the fuel pickup in
>> the gas tank.
>>
>> My daughter bought a 94 Buick LeSabre, also a 3800, about 8 months ago
>> and it showed the same traits. I attributed it to the fact that they
>> are pretty much the same car and it had the same problem. The problem
>> with hers is slowly getting worse. Now it can happen when the tank is
>> just below half full. Also, when she pulls up to a stop sign it may
>> die. I started looking for a solution on the internet and started
>> seeing things like the MAF sensor, Crank sensor, EGR valve and many
>> more.
>
>Stalling at a stoplight on level ground while running is
>almost always the EGR valve. The MAF is also most likely
>on its way out(they last about 10 years or so - 15 is the
>longest I've seen one alive for)
>
>The timing gear should also be changed - the main cog is
>synthetic and not steel. Replace with steel and get
>a new chain(plus replace the sensor inside). That should
>take care of the timing for another 100K+ miles.

Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important