Car stalls after driving

My van has a 4 barrel carburetor and a 350 motor. It starts up really great and then after I drive it around the block it stalls. I have to wait hours before I can start it up again and then it does the same thing. Do you have any idea what’s wrong?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
First task is to determine if it is ignition or fuel related. Check for spark when it dies. If you have spark, then starter fluid allows the engine to fire, then quickly die. If starter fluid gives you a brief start, then start checking fuel supply: fuel pump, fuel filter, and the needle valve in the carb float bowl. If you would like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect your fuel pump, fuel filter, and ignition.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

There are three major causes for a stalled engine: A lack of fuel, a lack of air flow and improper ignition. Running out of fuel is one of the most common causes of engine stalling, but dirty fuel injectors or a plugged fuel filter can also be the culprit. Your engine needs air to run properly as well.
While diagnosing a specific problem isn`t easy without looking at it, the Chevy 350 engine usually bogs down when hitting the gas due to fuel plugs needing replacement, bad or dirty fuel injectors, or a bad fuel pump. as soon as possible.
There are several reasons the Chevy 350 bogs on acceleration, including problems with the ignition system, fuel pump, air filter, catalytic converter, or muffler. The most common cause is that your Chevy 350`s fuel filter is clogged or the pump isn`t working properly.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine stalling are the fuel system, the air intake system, or the ignition system.
Immediately turn on the vehicle`s hazard warning lights. They`re the universal sign of distress. If you`re unable to pull completely over onto the shoulder, or if the car is stalled in a traffic lane, do not attempt to get out of the car! Similarly, never try to cross a highway on foot.
The “Bog” simply means the engine is not receiving enough fuel when you go to wide open throttle. While there are other issues that may cause similar reactions within the carburetor, often the problem can be traced back to the accelerator pump system. Incorrect adjustment is the typical culprit.
By Rob Erlick. Engine RPM bog down occurs as the engine is loaded beyond its torque-producing capabilities. This occurs when engine RPMs are allowed to decay below the design specification. Bog down can occur during ground start, taxi, and the landing roll.
This hesitation while accelerating can be the result of a number of issues, including something like a clogged fuel filter or even a broken fuel pump. Sometimes, something could also be wrong with the transmission.
If your car or truck is equipped with a Holley four barrel carburetor and stumbles upon acceleration, more than likely the carburetor needs an adjustment to the accelerator pump assembly. This assembly delivers an initial shot of fuel in the right amount, and duration, to provide crisp throttle response right off idle.
The most common sensor which can lead to your car stalling is the manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP) or the mass air flow sensor (MAF). Most cars typically have one or the other.
It is commonly applied to the phenomenon whereby an engine abruptly ceases operating and stops turning. It might be due to not getting enough air, energy, fuel, or electric spark, fuel starvation, a mechanical failure, or in response to a sudden increase in engine load.
You will most likely experience a loss of power steering, making it hard to steer the car. Next you could lose your power brakes, increasing your vehicle`s stopping distance. Here are some tips on what to do if your car stalls while driving, so you can manage the situation and navigate your way to safety.
Stalling. When your transmission doesn`t have enough fluid, you may experience it stalling at red lights or stop signs. Though it should start right back up, taking your car to an auto shop for repair is key as your transmission lines may be leaking and may need to be replaced.
Is Your Engine Stalling? Similar to having reduced fuel efficiency, your engine may stall if you have bad gas in your tank. Having bad gas can also mean having diluted gas in your car. This could result in your car not having enough combustible ingredients to continue to run.
Why do manual cars stall? Usually, manual cars will stall because the driver has let the clutch out too quickly. This means the `revolutions per minute` (RPM) of the engine has dropped too low and the engine has stopped. You`re less likely to stall if you release the clutch slowly.
Some of the most common sensors that lead to engine stalling include the mass airflow sensor (MAF), engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT) and manifold absolute pressure sesnsor (MAP). The idle air control valve (IAC) and exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) are also well known for causing engine stalling.
The most likely issue is that a component is clogged. A clogged fuel filter is the most common reason, although a loss of power in your car could also indicate problems with the fuel pump or fuel line. Impurities or debris may be blocking the system, which causes the loss of power in a car.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.

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Could this cause ur car to stall in warmer weather? My car never stalls during winter months. But from spring on its a neverendin
ANSWER : You should have the check engine light and engine scanned to see if the engine may be running lean due to low fuel pressures or clogged injectors. You should also have the mass airflow sensor cleaned and checked for proper readings and replace if not within specifications. The vehicle runs richer in colder weather and may be the reason for not stalling. You should clean injectors, clean throttle body and idle control valve then clean mass air sensor and relearn idle.

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The engine stalls when I put the car in reverse, but if I go past reverse into drive there is not an issue.
ANSWER : Hi there. Usually when you shift into reverse and engage the brake it will cause the engine RPM to drop; as it’s creating a load against the transmission and the engine. If the engine stalls, it may be caused by a faulty idle control valve, bad O2 sensors, or clogged fuel injectors.

In regards to the "pan", we’re not sure what you are referring, so it may be a good idea to contact one of our local professional mechanics to complete a battery inspection to determine what’s going on with your 2010 Ford Focus.

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After driving awhile, when idling, RPM drops below 500 & car stalls. Happens rarely but RPM fluctuates, and drops suddenly.
ANSWER : If you are having a stalling problem then you may have a computer code stored in memory. I suggest having the computer scanned to see if there is any codes stored and diagnose them as needed. The intake hose and air filter should be inspected for leaks in the hoses and dirty or leaking air filters. If the air filter is dirty or leaking then have the mass air sensor cleaned. If you still need help, have a mechanic diagnose the stalling issue for you and let you know exactly what repairs should be done.

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My car shuts off while driving and then turns back on multiple times or shuts off after driving and car turns off.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the alternator and make sure that the wiring it connected tight. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Look for any loose ground wires to the chassis on the vehicle. If everything checks out to be working correctly, then the PCM may need to be replaced as it may have a battery disconnect condition. If you need further assistance with multiple functions shutting off, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

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My car is briefly shutting off when driving and stalling out when stopped.
ANSWER : Hello. Stalling issues can arise from a variety of faults. Have any warning lights come on? You may want to have the vehicle scanned for codes anyway. Typically you turn to the fuel and spark first to make sure they are working correctly first. You can hook up an inline fuel gauge to make sure you are getting the proper amount of fuel to the engine. This needs to be placed after the fuel filter to test that as well. You can test the spark plug wires to make sure the plugs are receiving a strong enough signal. You may also want to pull the plugs and make sure they are not fouled and are gapped correctly. Several sensors may also be failing, but those should show up on a diagnostic scan. With an issue like this, start with the easiest components to test and work your way through the possibilities until you find the fault.

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Car stalls out while driving.. Power gone..battery drained.. dashboard goes crazy.. Told alt..or ignition stuff.won’t start…
ANSWER : The alternator is likely, but this would completely drain the battery and if done too many times can render the battery useless. The situation must be diagnosed properly by an experienced mechanic to find the solution. Electrical components like the ignition switch or an engine speed sensor can also cause the vehicle to stall. but do not usually drain the battery. I’d suggest having one of our mobile experts pay a visit and assess the concern with your battery.

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Car stalls all of a sudden for no reason while driving
ANSWER : Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2003 Ford Taurus. Your fuel pump in the fuel tank is most likely going bad and will seize up when it gets hot. Have the fuel pressure tested to see if you have lost fuel pressure when it stalled, then have the fuel pump and filter replaced. Make sure to check the bottom of the fuel tank for any metal particles and have the tank cleaned out of any debris found that may damage the new pump. If you want the help of a certified mechanic, have a technician from YourMechanic replace your fuel pump or fuel filter at your home or office.

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