1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hard to Start on Humid Days

KING5761

MEMBER
1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive 80,000 miles

My car starts and runs fine as long as the weather does not turn hot and humid. When it does, when you start the engine it acts like it wants to stall until you get it into drive and start down the road. If I use the expensive, high octane gas, it will manage to keep going but keeps threatening to stall when I stop for a light and have to start up again. If I use the lower octane gas, once the engine is up to operating temp, if I shut it off for a few minutes and try to restart it, it will not start until the engine cools down. What is wrong with this car? A mechanic near my home told me he thought it was a vapor lock but I know that only happens with really old, carburated cars.

If you can solve this riddle, I will gladly make a donation.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Vapor lock can happen to any vehicle, so that is possible. As far as not starting, does it give you trouble when it rains? Also, has the check engine light come on?

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Thursday, July 1st, 2010 AT 8:43 PM

KING5761

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No, it does fine on rainy days.

The check engine light does come on but only if after I start the car it runs rough & tries to stall. After a while it goes out. I have had it checked & it is giving a code for engine misfire & a general one indicating there is a problem with the evapirative emissions. Since it is a general code it doesn't specify what the problem is & mechanics tell ne it could cost at least a $100 or even more than that to determine the exact cause of the problem. They have also told me that an evapirative emissions problem is "nothing" & is not important.

I thought only cars with carburaters could have problems with vapor lock? That's not true then?