My 95 silverado idles fine, but sputters and wants to die on take off. Just did cap, rotor, plugs and wires. Actually seems worse now. Wtf? Recently set base timing to tdc. It's the 5.7 BTW. No check engine light. About to do fuel filter, but I don't think it will change anything. Has a little over 150k on it. Could it be the timing chain? Also, it sometimes won't start if its warm and you shut it off for ten minutes or so... Won't fire at all and has a strange smell when cranking, which I assume to be the starter about to burst into flames from overuse. Always starts when cold, so you just have to let it cool. Any advice would be helpful.

 

Check for a stuck or carboned up EGR valve.

 

Also look at the coolant temp sensor. The wire sometimes loses connection, or the sensor itself could be goin bad.

 

Thanks guys. I was already planning to check the temp sensor, because it seems like its choking when it won't start. I'll check the egr also. Thanks...

 

Well it def needed the coolant sensor. And I guess I accidentally pulled the vaccuum off the egr when I was swapping plugs and wires. Much better now, but if I put it in gear and do a gentle powerstall, it wants to sputter and choke a little at about 1,000 rpm or so. If I give it more gas, it will power through it. Anyone have any suggestions on this?

 

I'd say check your distributor.

Pull off your cap again (You can leave the wires connected, don't pull 'em off), move it off to the side good and clear of the cap, and disconnect the coil primary wires. That is, the wires that aren't silicone. You can safely disconnect all of the wires that go to the coil, but just make sure there's no spark.

Have a helper crank the engine, and watch the distributor. I suspect the distributor shaft bushings could be worn out, and could binding at 1K RPM - or moving side to side instead of spinning freely. Look to see if the distributor shaft wobbles excessively.

If you suspect it, mark its location so it can be reinserted at the same place again, and pull the distributor and inspect the gear for bad teeth, and the shaft for play.

If you feel good about the distributor, then check fuel pressure.