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2003 Buick Century

Question: stalling engine

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enninga81, Grand Forks, ND, September 29, 2009, 10:21

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My car keeps stalling while I'm driving, and when I start it again a big cloud of black smoke comes out of the exhaust. Any ideas?

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• Answer #1

  Bret Bodas September 29, 2009, 13:05
  

   Master

  Sounds like the engine is running rich. This can be caused by many things. Iss the check engine light on?
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  enninga81, September 29, 2009, 13:32
  

   Rookie

  Yes, the check engine light is on. What do you mean by "the engine is running thick"?
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  Bret Bodas, September 29, 2009, 13:38
  

   Master

  The engine is running "Rich". This means that is is using too much fuel, and that is why you see black smoke from the exhaust.
  If the check engine light is on, then the engine computer has registered a fault in the fuel injection system and has stored some information about the fault. This information needs to be retrieved, and it will be in the form of a diagnostic trouble code. There is a set of diagnostic instructions along with each code (there are hundreds of codes) and these instructions need to be followed to find the cause of the problem.
  Continuing to drive the car like this can damage the catalytic converter, so get it checked very soon!
  Good Luck!
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  enninga81, September 29, 2009, 13:51
  

   Rookie

  Well thank you very much, I made an appointment for it for Thursday!! You were very helpful
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  Bret Bodas, September 29, 2009, 13:57
  

   Master

  Excellent! Please let us know what they find, and please review the shop in our directory so other people in your area will know about your service experience!

  http://repairpal.com/directory
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