Q&A

2003 Buick Century

Question: stalling engine

Question

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

 Rookie

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?

1 Answer

Answer It

Flag This

Follow this Question Unfollow this Question

• 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?
  Flag This
  Like | 3 people like this3
• Reply

  enninga81, September 29, 2009, 13:32
  

   Rookie

  Yes, the check engine light is on. What do you mean by "the engine is running thick"?
  Flag This
• Reply

  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!
  Flag This
• Reply

  enninga81, September 29, 2009, 13:51
  

   Rookie

  Well thank you very much, I made an appointment for it for Thursday!! You were very helpful
  Flag This
• Reply

  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
  Reply
  Flag This

• stalls when coming to a stop.
  i just replaced plugs, wires on my car. it runs fine sometimes then others it wants to stall when i am slowing down to stop. and the whole car shakes when this is happening. it starts right back up...

  Q&A > Buick > 1992 Buick Century

• stalling
  it runs and idles great but stalls, has new fuel pump,fuel filter,alternater,battery.drive it for a few mins. and it stalls sometimes and will start right back up.stalled three times yesterday than...

  Q&A > Buick > 1991 Buick Century

• When stopped and car, in gear, idling. Engine will develope a severe lope.
  I have always avoided stalling by giving the engine a little gas. This does not happen every time I'm stopped.60,000 miles

  Q&A > Buick > 2002 Buick Century

• Failed Fuel Pump Can Cause Engine to Stall
  The fuel pump may fail causing engine to stall and not restart.

  Common Problems > Buick Century

• Engine Cuts Off
  I will be driving and without notice the engine cuts out. I coast to a safe area shut off the ignition, place it in park and immediately turn it back on and the engine starts right back up. It...

  Q&A > Buick > 1995 Buick Century