OT: Car stalls at idle when hot, and then won't start

[Speedy]

Not knowing the make and model (why the mystery?), I think lafinfil is on point. Next time it acts up fill the tank with gas and the problem should go away until the fuel heats up again. If filling the tank makes it go away then you need to replace the pump which is in your tank.

lafinfil wrote:
If it is a model that has a fuel pump in the tank (like older VW/Bosch systems) then it could be a sign of a fuel failing pump.
This is especially true if you are driving around with low fuel levels (say under 1/4 tank) In these systems the fuel in the tank
acts as a heat sink for the fuel pump. Either way I would have the mechanic check fuel pressure and replace filters before
I replaced injectors. Can't hurt to try cleaner though.

[lafinfil]

IIRC - fauch lives in a hot climate overseas and probably doesn't have the AutoZone option.

[Z]

But we're all still guessing since a few vital pieces of information are missing in order to provide an informed answer.

Speedy wrote:
Not knowing the make and model (why the mystery?), I think lafinfil is on point. Next time it acts up fill the tank with gas and the problem should go away until the fuel heats up again. If filling the tank makes it go away then you need to replace the pump which is in your tank.

[quote=lafinfil]
If it is a model that has a fuel pump in the tank (like older VW/Bosch systems) then it could be a sign of a fuel failing pump.
This is especially true if you are driving around with low fuel levels (say under 1/4 tank) In these systems the fuel in the tank
acts as a heat sink for the fuel pump. Either way I would have the mechanic check fuel pressure and replace filters before
I replaced injectors. Can't hurt to try cleaner though.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Black wrote:
Vacuum problem.

That was the other first thought I had.

[Grateful11]

Spock wrote:
Sounds like fuel starvation caused by a vapor lock. Need more information.

My '66 VW used to do that. You would drive it in hot weather park it for 15 minutes or so, get back
in it and it would go maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 a mile and die. Finally insulated the fuel line in the engine
compartment and that was that.

I haven't owned a vehicle since that would do it.

[Black]

Grateful11 wrote:
[quote=Spock]
Sounds like fuel starvation caused by a vapor lock. Need more information.

My '66 VW used to do that. You would drive it in hot weather park it for 15 minutes or so, get back
in it and it would go maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 a mile and die. Finally insulated the fuel line in the engine
compartment and that was that.

I haven't owned a vehicle since that would do it.
Same deal on several of my 70s Civics. Fauch is describing a different situation though.

[testcase]

Have you tried giving it a good kick?

[Wags]

Check and make sure the temp gauge is giving you an accurate reading. On most newer cars the computer will shut it down when it gets too hot rather than allow engine damage. It sort of happens gradually, kind of like you're describing. Chevys have a fairly narrow range of temp they are designed to operate in and they'll sometimes shut down even before the temp gauge has reached an alarming position. See if the electric cooling fan is turning on when its supposed to. You can try turning on the AC and if the fan doesn't kick on that could be it.

[mrlynn]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=Spock]
Sounds like fuel starvation caused by a vapor lock. Need more information.

That was my first thought. I don't think you get vapor lock on FI systems, though.
Yeah, vapor lock was my thought, too, but (showing my age) I think that was a disease of carburetors.

These new-fangled, computerized, fuel-injected cars are a different story entirely. But what kind of car is it?

/Mr Lynn

[JoeH]

Vapor lock is still a small possibility, depends on the model car involved. It still occurs with fuel injection systems; just is much less common than with carburetors.