Randomly losing power and strong gas smell

[frenaud]

Sometimes while driving I'll lose some power, my idle drops below 1k and the engine seems like it wants to shut off. Also, I can smell some gas (not burning). I was thinking of checking/replacing spark plugs. How could I also go about testing injectors? Anything else to check?

Oh, and stopping the engine for a couple minutes seems to fix the problem.

Edited June 24, 2011 by frenaud

[Zed Head]

the engine seems like it wants to shut off....I can smell some gas (not burning)....and stopping the engine for a couple minutes seems to fix the problem.

It might not be your specific problem but those are some of the signs of an ignition module going bad. Especially the last symptom. What year is your car and is it stock or modified? Does it happen more after high RPM activity?

[frenaud]

oops... sorry... 1976 280z with stock L28E engine. I also unplugged the "cold start injector" because it was always running, even when hot. Don't need it in the summer anyways.

[Z train]

Replace all your fuel lines.

[frenaud]

Tracked it down to an injector. Whe I removed the electrical connectors on the injectors, one of them actually had gas in it... I'm guessing I'll need to replace it? I left that connector unplugged and also disconnected my coil wire to that particular cylinder. Idled it for about 5 minutes then drove it for another 5 and it seems to run with a lot more power and without stalling, albeit a bit "wonky" at times. I've parked the car and now it turns over, but won't start. I'll try again once the engine has cooled down.

Any way to remove the injector without unplugging and taking out the whole fuel rail?

[FastWoman]

If I were you, I'd replace all 6. You don't have to mortgage your house to buy the OEM injectors. Lots of people pay to have them cleaned up and flow-tested, but if yours is leaking, it's no good anymore. The BEST solution, imo, is to replace with (cheap) Sorensen or Standard Ignition injectors.

[frenaud]

Yeah, after a bit of reading, that's what I'm planning on doing, along with the hoses. From what I gather I'll need the injectors (with o-rings), some FI tubing, some FI clamps and I'll probably replace the Phillips screws with some bolts while I'm at it as about half of them are pretty rusted.

So, basically, I have to relieve fuel pressure, remove all rubber hoses leading to the metal fuel rail, unscrew the injectors, then pull out the rail with the injectors?

Missing anything?

Oh and the car started up again after letting it cool down, much to my relief!

I suppose it's normal that it has trouble starting if only 5 cylinders are working?

[frenaud]

Holy shiznit! I've been shopping car part websites and $125-$150 per injector?!?! I guess that's for OEM? Guess I should look for generics.