1990 Buick Regal Sputtering/Stalling

Tiny
CWIERTS
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  • 1990 BUICK REGAL
Engine Performance problem
1990 Buick Regal 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 102k miles

I recently purchased a 1990 Buick Regal Custom with a 3.1L V6, and I'm experiencing a problem after it's been running for about 10-15 minutes. The car will hiccup and sputter like it's running out of gas, and won't crank up until it's been sitting for about 20-50 minutes. The fuel pump engages whenever I turn the key, but I don't know if it's trash or something else that's causing it to malfunction after it's been running for awhile.

Also, the Schraeder Valve on the FI system consistently has air building up in it, regardless of how much air/fuel releases from it when the engine is off. Is this a problem with the Fuel Regulator? I've also been told it could be the EGR Valve, but if that's case, would it also be the cause of the air in the Fuel Rail?
Saturday, May 1st, 2010 AT 8:29 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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Pull vacuum line to fuel pressure regulator, if gas is present, then regulator is ruptured.

It is also possible the fuel pump pressure line in tank is leaking, which would require removing the pump.
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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
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Is there an Access Panel to the Fuel Pump, or am I going to have to drop the tank?
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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
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No fuel present in the vacuum line. I let the car idle for about 15 minutes, and then revved the engine to a steady RPM to increase the temperature. Noticed one of the fans isn't running, and the temperature light comes on. It's like the engine cuts itself off when it gets too hot, so what would be my best course of action to diagnose why the fan isn't running?

Thank you,

Chris Wierts
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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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Remove fan connector to motor and fabricate an alligator connector to clip to battery and to fan motor connector, if fans run, then motor is OK.

With engine at operating temp, remove cover to fan relay, relay should click to operate fan, if it does not, then relay is bad OR fan switch.
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 8:28 AM

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