Can't Drive

[miwenner]

I got my Festiva running the other day but when I went to take it for a little spin it did not want to drive. I put it into first and started to slowly let off the clutch but as soon as I got it to just start rolling it died on me. I started it back up and went to try again this time I gave it plenty of gas (more than what would be needed to take off) this time I went a little further but it again died before getting no more than 15 ft. I had the emergency brake off. A friend of mine told me to check the fuel filter to be sure it is flowing through, but it idles just fine. Any suggestions?

[bravekozak]

Carb or EFI? Above or below freezing?

VAF?
Ice in the gas line?
Vacuum leak?
All kinds of possibilities.

[Team Lightning]

Even with a clogged/plugged fuel filter, it can still have a good idle. It depends on how bad the clog/stoppage is in the filter.

[miwenner]

Sorry it is a 1989 carb

[bravekozak]

Is your fuel pump still good? or tired?
I would bet a vacuum leak with all the spaghetti hose.
I would get a paper towel core and listen for a hiss with the engine running.
Do you have a vacuum gauge to do a measurement?

Air cleaner off, engine running, look in the carb and pull on the throttle. Do you see a squirt of gas?

[TominMO]

Probably a fuel delivery issue then. Start by replacing the fuel filter, unless you know it's pretty new. Cheap and easy diagnosis/fix.

[FestYboy]

how long has the engine been NOT running? you may need to remove the jets in the bowl and clean them out, or remove the sludge in the bowl.

[crazyrog17]

Check the fuel hoses from tank to filter, and filter to pump. I've read before some were having theirs suck closed by the vacuum of the mechanical pump.

[bravekozak]

Thread 49731

[miwenner]

I changed the fuel filter and that seemed to do the trick. I have another question though. I just bought this from a guy not running and a there is a hose that comes up from the exhaust system that is not hooked to any where and I don't see a place where it can be hooked up. It is a metal tube that comes up then a short length of tubeing. Any idea where it goes?

[bravekozak]

Pollution control. Reed valve? Lose the feedback carb and spaghetti hoses. Put on an Escort carb with an adapter. Then hold on to your seat.

[FestYboy]

the short hose is to connect to the air box via the reed valve assembly. i recomend you google image search carb festivas to give you an idea where things should go.

[miwenner]

How much would something like that cost. I only have $200 bucks into the car so I don't want to spend very much, but a few of the connectors for my vaccum hoses are broke off so it might be the right thing to do.

[bravekozak]

Best offer. + adapter or aluminum weld, drill and tap intake manifold.

[miwenner]

I will check that one out on eBay. I was looking again as where that stray hose goes and I wasn't giving enough details. I am actually wondering about the tube that is further back in the exhaust system. This one goes into the exhaust at about where the back of the engine compartment is.