# Olds no go

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/olds-no-go/74931>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Tags:** ninety-eight, oldsmobile\
**Created:** [October 11, 2012, 7:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/olds-no-go/74931 "2012-10-11T07:23:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Watts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Watts](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Watts)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 7:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/olds-no-go/74931/1 "2012-10-11T07:23:58Z")

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Hi, I have a 1989 Oldsomobile Ninety-eight. A couple weeks ago I drove it around town, running various errands, and it ran fine - no indication of problems. Then, just the other day, I had trouble starting it. After a few tries, it started, but then backfired and died immediately. I noticed an unfamiliar odor that seemed to be coming from the exhaust. My first thoughts were, “Somebody has put something in my gas tank, because the last time I drove it, it was fine.” This issue was totally unexpected. All the same, I drove it to the grocery store anyway. As long as I kept giving it gas, it would go, but it died at every stop. In order to take off from a stop, I would have to slam it into gear. It ran fine once I got going. Any ideas as to what could be causing this?

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**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 7:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/olds-no-go/74931/2 "2012-10-11T07:46:51Z")

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Well, from your description I’d suspect a Mass Air Flow sensor, but any of a dozen things can cause the trouble you describe. You’re going to have to find a shop with equipment and mechanics old enough to be familiar with your car.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/olds-no-go/74931/3 "2012-10-13T04:11:18Z")

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I have a 70’s Ford truck that does this from time to time. I’ll drive it once a week or so for months and it starts and runs perfectly. Then I’ll start it up one day, and it won’t even idle without dying. I have to step on the gas pedal just to keep it running, and even then it is surging and coughing. In every case, this has been caused by a vacuuum device or hose springing a leak in the interim. @Watts, do a quick visual of all the vacuum hoses, especially where they connect. Look for cracking, broken connection, etc. Nothing? Then ask your mechanic to check all the vacuum operated devices – like the power brake booster if you have one – with a hand held vacuum pump. If they have sprung a leak, they won’t hold vacuum.