Hey gang!
I know I'll be able to find someone in a group this size and well-
informed to help me.

I've got a 1999 Chevy Z71 Ext. Cab with the 5.3 V8 and about 176xxx
miles.

Several months ago after driving a long way on a hot day I noticed it
would "chug" when accelerating between 40-50 mph but only going
uphill. I did not have a load other than myself and a couple of tools
tucked up under my backseat. Even if the grade was about 3-4 degrees
it would still "chug." (by "chug" I mean it hesitates and lurches,
hesitates and lurches at fairly rapid intervals) If it is a flat grade
or any other speed (even if it is more than 50 mph) it does not "chug"
at all when accelerating.

A couple days ago on a cool fall evening I was accelerating out of
town on a black top and noticed it was doing it again this time a
little more "staccato" (for those who understand musical terms...if
not Google it) and the grade was about 5 degrees (just guestimating).
Still no load in the truck. Keep in mind that this is not an on/off
ramp type climb it is a matter of a few degrees uphill.

Is this a timing problem or perhaps a fuel line problem? Something
serious? Something a quick maintainance procedure will fix? Expensive?
Cheap? You get the idea!

Thanks in advance!


G

I'd have the fuel pressure checked for starters, 60-65 psi, this assumes the
plugs and wires are in good shape.
"FGMar" <gabe.martinez (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote



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"FGMar" <gabe.martinez (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote


My first suspect would be the fuel filter.....partially blocked it will give
these symptoms under moderate load. Cheap and easy to do. Also rules out the
easiest more obvious cause...fuel starvation under load.

I had the same problem. turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator and
needing a new filter.
"Augustus" <no_one (AT) nowhere (DOT) net> wrote

On Oct 31, 2:05 pm, "smoove" <smo... (AT) bigdoggy (DOT) com> wrote:
So it WAS something to do with the fuel line as I suspected. I just
put on a new fuel pressure regulator maybe 6 months ago so I reckon
that should be fine? Fuel filter was change with the fuel pump and
that was about a year ago. Does it need changing again? I'm extremely
novice with autos so is this something where I'd be better off to let
the mechanic do it? Thanks for all of the advice so far!



G

As I said get the fuel pressure checked for a proper diagnosis.
"FGMar" <gabe.martinez (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote



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Another possibility could be the catalytic converter is starting to plug up.
Had the same symptoms on a 90 Pontiac - turned out to be the converter.
"FGMar" <gabe.martinez (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote