OK, driving down the road the other day about 45, the car just quietly died. Upon trying to start it, It cranked and cranked and finally fired but didn't seem to be breathing (or maybe not getting fuel?) and it just died and wouldn't restart (just turned over normally w/o starting). It wouldn't idle at all, I had to keep my foot on the gas and do the little "accelerator dance". Where should I start: vacum? Timing? Points? My mechanical knowledge is crappy, my abilities are decent. It's a '82 GSL (stock 12A) 115k original, never abused.

I appreciate any help, my BMW blew a head gasket the next day so I have two broken cars.

 

does it backfire?

 

No backfire.

 

Fuel filter...fuel pump...clogged fuel line... no points in the 82, electronic ignition.

 

Check for fuel first. The pump should pump with the ign in the on position. Then check for spark. Especially that the leading is working.

 

Do a compresson Check. Sounds like a bad Rotor.

 

I fired it up today and it ran perfectly. I let it run for 15 minutes in the driveway and then took it for a spin. I drove it for about 10 minutes (all uphill in case I had to coast home) and no sputters or anything. It ran great. I guess I'll replace the fuel filter. I don't know what else it could be. The other day when it died I had to pull it home, couldn't get it to go. Hmmm....

 

theres also a sock in your gastank....coulda gotten clogged.

 

ya know, I wouldn't be surprised if there WAS a sock...or an Armadillo or a tampon in my gas tank.

 

No...

The suction pipe that dips into the gas and is connected to the pump has a screen over the end of it to stop crap like the armadillo or tampon from getting sucked up into the pump. It's usually called a sock.

 

Total sounds like the fuel filter to me.. Most of the time you can get away with just replacing the fuel filter outside the gas tank.

 

I have a 79 that did something similar at a stop sign - it just died and could idle. But each time she died, there was a massively loud backfire.

I had my alternator replaced and it drives like magic once again.

 

i also thought full filter immediately. it sits for a while and the blockage drains away. drive it a while, see if it clogs up again. also, not idling is a sign of blocked fuel filter. you'd have to pump extra gas thru just to get enough gas in there.