What Causes a Car to Start and Then Stall?
2 Answers
A car starting and then stalling is often caused by a faulty idle motor or a dirty throttle body leading to clogged idle ports. Below are the solutions and potential hazards: Solutions: Clean the throttle body and fuel injectors, replace the fuel filter, check if the spark plugs are heavily carbon-fouled or have excessive gaps, and verify if there is insufficient fuel pressure or clogged fuel injectors. Also, clean the fuel pump's filter screen. Hazards of Stalling: Each time the engine stalls, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan. Upon restarting, the crankshaft and crankshaft bearings lack sufficient lubrication, resulting in metal-to-metal friction, which can shorten the engine's lifespan. Frequent stalling can significantly impact the vehicle's performance and longevity.
There are many reasons why a car starts and then stalls. I've encountered this several times myself, mostly due to fuel pump issues causing insufficient fuel supply or aging spark plugs failing to ignite. Once on a winter morning, the car stalled because the battery was weak, and later it was found that the fuel filter was clogged. Don't ignore such issues; promptly check the fuel system and ignition system, such as fuel pressure and ignition coils. Regular maintenance like changing the engine oil and cleaning the fuel injectors can help prevent these problems. Safety tip: If the car stalls, don't force it to drive as it may break down. Try stopping and restarting the car; if that doesn't work, take it to a repair shop for inspection.
