Northstar Stalls On Restart

[El Dobro]

My 98 Seville stalls on restarts. Lets say that when I would pull into a gas station to fill up there's usually a 5 to 10 minute waiting period before I would start the car to leave. When I start it, it stalls right out without really catching. To keep it going, I would have to hold the gas pedal down for just a few seconds and it would idle fine after that. It doesn't matter whether it Summer or Winter and it happens after the drivetrain is totally warmed up. To top it off, it does it sporadically.There are no codes at all. I'm thinking maybe a lazy idle air control valve.

[elwesso]

Im thinking maybe a leaky injector?? The pressure bleeds down on one or more cylinders and floods the engine... on more extended startups, the gas can drain down past the ring......

[El Dobro]

Nope. I already checked everything with a fuel pressure gauge. Naturally nothing happens when the dealer had the car either. That's why I'm checking to see if anyone else has experienced the same thing and came up with the solution. This way I can point the dealer in the right direction and not get the "yea, right" look.

[El Dobro]

Stalled again today when I had it filled up. Suggestions?

[BeelzeBob]

Originally Posted by El Dobro

Stalled again today when I had it filled up. Suggestions?

Have you tried cleaning the throttle body bore to eliminate any deposits that may have built up that could reduce the airflow around the edge of the throttle blade and reduce the idle air control authority? That is the first thing that I would check.

Check the fuel pressure regulator by pulling the vacuum line off while the engine is idling and watch the vacuum nipple for any sign of fuel.

Does the idle speed seem OK otherwise? Any stalling at any other time? Does the idle speed elevate to a slightly higher level when the engine is cold? Does it stall on a cold start?

The other thing to do is to clean the idle air control port to make sure that the bypass air is not restricted. Cleaning the IAC valve might help and/or replacing it..... Usually if it works it works and if it is broke it stops working...no inbetween.

[kevinK]

Do what Bbob said, but I am not sure about the cleaning IAC valve part. According to Alldatadiy, the IAC valve can not be cleaned or adjusted.

Good luck.

[El Dobro]

The engine only stalls when it's at the normal operating temperature and has been off between approx. 5 to 10 minutes. It does not stall when started sooner or later than that period. No stumbling, no cold start stalling and has a normal cold start higher idle. There's even no guarantee that it will stall. It's that intermittant. There aren't any codes either.
It was stalling when I purchased the car from the dealer last year. At the time, I cleaned the throttle body with spray and a toothbrush. I also checked the pressure regulator for leaks. When the dealer had the car, they cleaned the throttle body, too. They also changed the pressure regulator. Personally, I don't think there was anything wrong with it, but they paid for it.
If I get a chance tomorrow, I'm going to pull the IAC valve and spray the ports. I'll check the condition of the valve, too. Maybe it's gunked up. You gotta love it!

[El Dobro]

Ok, had a chance to pull everything apart and spray the throttle body again. I removed the IAC valve and the thing was dirty, so I carefully cleaned the plunger and also sprayed the seat 'til everything was nice and shiny. I'll post my findings either way.

[Vesicant]

My Catera is having a VERY simmular problem and im about ready to do that same thing as you have done, El Dobro.

Lets both hope it will/has fixed the problem!

[maydog]

Could the EGR get stuck open without throwing any codes. I had starting problems on another car caused by a sticking EGR valve.