I have a 88 camaro 350 carbed. It will turn over and sound as if it wants to start but dies afterwards and won't idle. I just replaced the fuel pump. Any ideas on what it could be??

30

Asked by 88irocz28 Nov 30, 2014 at 09:37 PM about the 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Coupe RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

10 Answers

10,985

If it runs at medium to high idle, but nothing else, try checking vacuum lines

1 people found this helpful.
30

It wont idle at all. I get a good crank and it dies as I try to prime it.

1 people found this helpful.
30

Ill check the carb but I think the carbs workin pretty well because thats how I got it to crank the first time spraying starting fluid in the intake. Car sat for 3 months also.

10,985

Have you checked the spark at the plugs? Ignition wire and even the coil can degrade just sitting there for a few months, especially in an '88 if they were original parts.

30

I havent checked the plugs yet but I plan on it. Im thinking its maybe either my spark or air in my fuel line. But im no mechanic. But checkingy spark is definitely next on my list.

1 people found this helpful.
50,715

If squirting starter fluid will get the car to fire, you have spark at the plugs. The carb may be bad. Check to see if the float bowl has gas in it. This will mean you have to take the top plate of the carburetor off to see. If the float is fuel of liquid and sitting on the bottom, you will not have gas in the carb to pump fuel into the intake manifold. If looking down into the carb after removing the breather and the carb is pumped and you see fuel squirt, the float and bowl may be fine. It could be timing. Did you replace the fuel filter? There is a directional arrow that should be pointing the direction the fuel is to flow, which is towards the engine. Make sure that is correct, and if you didn't, it may need to be changed. Is the hose lines to the new fuel pump correct? Do you have a return line? Is the return line and the line from the fuel tank correctly hooked up? Is there a bent metal pipe coming from the pump to the carb, or a rubber hose bent or pinched preventing fuel flow?

30

So could it have anything to do with seeing air bubbles in my fuel line?? I will check the carb. And someone told me to try putting fuel in the carb intake to try and get it to run whats your opinion on that??

50,715

Is you fuel pump mechanical or electrical? Make sure the electrical lines are hooked up and you have power there (fuse blown?) if it is electrical. It sounds to me it may be in need of a carb overhaul. Why was the fuel pump replaced in the first place? A lot of people ask questions here and state they replaced a lot of items, and most are not even related to the issue they are seeking answers for. They respond that a friend suggested they replace ------ to fix it and it did not do it. They end up spending more money that way instead of going to a good honest garage to get it looked at and fixed correctly. If you squirt starter fluid and the engine fires off, it is not the ignition, and spark is getting to the plugs. Your issue is lack of fuel getting into the intake manifold. Since the fuel pump was replaced, I'd make sure the pump is working, then look at the carburetor. You may have jets plugged, float is bad, or the accelerator pump isn't working. Have the timing checked also. Pouring gas down the carb is not good as the fuel is not atomized to properly mix with air to fire in the cylinders. A back fire will send a puff of flame out the carb, and if you are pouring gas in, you will be in a world of hurt. Not smart to do that, and not safe at all. Starter fluid used too much will dry out the cylinder walls and cause the rings to either seize or freeze or wear out to the point they will not seal. Then you will have oil seeping into the top of the pistons and a major overhaul in next. Be careful, and if you are not that all mechanical inclined, go to a garage for advice and check up.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Camaro

Looking for a Used Camaro in your area?

CarGurus has 9,352 nationwide Camaro listings starting at $2,000.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1988 Chevrolet Camaro

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    2,210
  • #2
    C. Thomas
    Reputation
    2,190
  • #3
    GuruRZRMY
    Reputation
    1,590
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Mustang
916 Great Deals out of 22,896 listings starting at $1,502
Used Chevrolet Corvette
692 Great Deals out of 12,034 listings starting at $3,046
Used Dodge Charger
715 Great Deals out of 30,035 listings starting at $1,900
Used Ford F-150
6,024 Great Deals out of 128,250 listings starting at $1,100
Used BMW 3 Series
1,161 Great Deals out of 12,961 listings starting at $516
Used BMW M3
50 Great Deals out of 1,069 listings starting at $13,495
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,881 Great Deals out of 64,533 listings starting at $3,000

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale
3 Great Deals out of 1,461 listings starting at $29,995
2023 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale
60 Great Deals out of 931 listings starting at $21,950
2022 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale
44 Great Deals out of 531 listings starting at $20,986
2021 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale
43 Great Deals out of 482 listings starting at $18,399
2020 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale
29 Great Deals out of 421 listings starting at $13,864

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.