I started having problems the other day when driving engine got to about 3200rpm then stuttered like it was out of gas, then continued to climb to 4200rpm where the same thing happened again. My first thought was maybe something with the tranny, checked the fluid it was a little low so i topped it off. No luck, next thought was fuel filter, bought a new one and had advance check the codes, 2 o2 sensors and the Mass airflow sensor bought a new MAF put the new filter and sensor in, took it for a ride and everything was fine, no engine light nothing ran like a champ. Ran outside a few minutes ago to roll up the windows and put the Ttops back on. started it up to help up the dying window motor and it started fine but then died. tried again same thing. tried giving it some gas and could keep it running but as soon as i let off it would die. so I started it threw it in reverse and backed out onto the road put it in park and it idled normal. drove it about 10miles, No problems. Any ideas whats going on here?

also its a 96 3.8l

 

Flashback to my yoot! When I was a kid, we played with cars and planes that had the *** gas engines. No such things as video games, so we actually did physical stuff for recreation....but I digress! lol
Anyhoo, right as the engine ran out of fuel, it sped way up, then killed. That's a characteristic of the engine running momentarily lean.
So....your symptoms are telling me you should be checking your fuel pressure. I strongly suspect a fuel supply problem, and it's likely your fuel pump may be dying on you.

 

That is exactly what I was hoping it wasn't. Not too excited to drop the axle and tank, nor to fond of cutting a hatch in the trunk. It had always started hard if I didn't turn the key on and off a few times but it was getting better. I'm almost at a point with it where I cant decided if I should sell it and buy another one, or keep sinking money into it until the wheels fall off. Just the pains of owning a 17 year old, 220,000 mile car I guess. Why do I have to love these old cars so much!

 

The key on and off a few times to start validates the possibility of a bad fuel pump even more.
I could be wrong though, maybe it's just a dirty air filter.....yeah that's it!
Get a fuel pressure gauge and test the system before you start wanting to throw bricks at the car.

 

I did just put the cold air intake back on for the summer? Hmm maybe I didn't tighten the bolts all the way!! thats got to be it!!!........If only :S Just from looking around craigslist it seems prices have fallen a bit on these cars since I bought mine in 09 with 188k for 3 big ones maybe Ill try putting it up for sale and see what i get offered then throw some extra and get a Z even if it needs a little work. Id be more motivated to work on something that has a few more horses

 

was it freshly oiled, air filter oil on the maf will cause start and run issues.

 

It was not, although it could use a good cleaning. Today the car started up better than it ever has since I've owned it. No problems on the way to work, out to lunch, or on the way home. Is it possible that some air got in the line when i replaced the fuel filter and they were what caused my starting issue last night? I am hoping that if the fuel pump is starting to go that switching the fuel filter out with a new one that has much better flow, will help stretch the life of the pump. blew through both the old and new to check before I installed and there was a big difference.

 

Well yeah, naturally there would have been a blow-flow difference since the old filter was wet and the new one was dry. If you're curious about the condition of the old one, cut it open.

 

i have a fuel pump in a truck that would work if the filter was completely clean. if it got the least bit dirty it would die. after about 2 weeks she was a gonner, had to replace the tank the sending unit and pump. rusted a little so figured what the heck

 

just cut open the old filter. Black as can be on the inside, outside covered in rust. Have to wonder if its the original filter. still doesn't explain the starting problem last night with the new filter on.