Hi, I am looking for some advice on my chevy lumina 95 3.1 car. I ran out of gas and had to put some in with a gas can. Ever since then it has been running badly, I mean less mpg, struggles to accelerate, engine sounds rough when pushing gas and it takes longer to speed up.

I've tried changing the fuel filter, serpenstine belt, and i've added some fuel injection cleaner in my last fill up (the 8$ bottle from auto zone). Still have not seen any improvements.

Car has 104k miles, engine light is not on, Does not heat up, has clean oil (changed it 2 months ago) , clean green coolant, was running fine before I ran out of gas.

One thing to mention is before this happened the gas meter would not read correctly when going under 1/4 tank it would not show me correct amount of gas is how I ran out in the first place.

I been reading through google for hours. Coming to my own conclusion it could be either the fuel injectors, fuel pump, or the catalyc converter. Is there a way to diagnose these myself easy? If not how much would a local cheap mechanic charge to check? Thanks.

 

You need to check the fuel pressure. You do not want the local "CHEAP" mechanic to look at it, ever heard the saying you get what you pay for.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Any idea how much they go for more or less? I want to call everything closed. Can the fuel pressure test tell what exactly is causing this problem? Or will it just test the fuel pump? Thanks.

 

I am thinking it is either the fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump. Which is easier to do?

 

Just a follow up, It just needs a tune up due to over heating a week ago the wires fried and needs a head gasket job. Found someone on craigslist to do it for 500 that is including parts and labor, he will tune it up and change the sparkplugs and wires too.

Anyone know what is easiser a

 

Back again with another update. IT was not the head gasket that was broken but it was the lower intake manifold gasket, Got a mechanic on craigslist to do it for 300$(labor and parts) is that cheap or just about right? HE is replacing the sparkplugs, valve covers, sparkplug wires, and thermostat and some sensor near the thermostat. Anyway he opened it and showed me where it was leaking and the broken gaskets on the manifold and told me he bet his right nut that it would not over heat anymore. Just sharing my experience to help others who are searching with similar problems since this thread seems pretty dead.

 

This shop with white people was trying to charge me 79 bucks for a gas pressure test, so i went across to the mexican tire shop (they dont speak english) and they did it for free lol but they where trying to hustle me saying its a head gasket when it wasn't so paying more might be worth it to you if you want an honest answer.

 

So replacing the intake manifold gasket fixed the overheating. and replacing the coil pack fixed my misfire