Car Problems :( (auto, idle, spark plugs, fuel)

[jamielyn66]

I was driving home last night and everything was fine. I pulled up to a stop sign 2 blocks from home, and when I stopped, my car started chugging. I thought perhaps it was a fluke, so at the next stop sign it did it again. It was still running. So I pulled up into my driveway, which is on a slight angle, and the car just stops and turns off. I love power steering..everything like that. I have tried to start it, and it acts like it wants to start...sounds like it's chugging... but it doesn't start. Did I blow my engine? It has never made any weird noises and never has idled funny or anything. I get regular oil changes as well. Any input is greatly appreciated!!

[M3 Mitch]

I take it you are not really into cars. To be able to offer any sort of educated guess as to your problem, need to know the model, make, and year, also would help mileage, how recently (and expertly) it was tuned. Manual or auto trans? Anything remarkable about the weather? Did you buy fuel recently?

Unlikely you "blew" the engine, that's usually actually a rod separating at high RPM.

Are you certain you have gas in the car? Not just the gauge, if you have a gas can pour at least a couple of gallons in so you know you do actually have gas. So we'll start with the simple stuff.

[yo vanilla]

Need more information and I'll also second the gas idea. The angle of your driveway is a good indicator of that. Not a great one, but that's a quick idea to try.

Any warning lights come during this?

[Deez Nuttz]

I'd guess either it's a fuel problem or an ignition problem.


Also i hope you don't let Jiffy Lube change your oil.

[jamielyn66]

It's a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. It has 138,000 miles on it. I actually filled my tank up that morning at a gas station in a town I have never been to. So I know it had gas in it. No warning lights came on at all until the car shut completely down. Then my power steering went out and a couple lights came on- never the check engine one, but then I turned the key to off so I guess I am not completely sure. Manual or auto? lol- it's an automatic.. I think- if that's not a stick shift Sorry, I am clueless about cars, in case you haven't caught that! As for a tune up... never really had a comprehensive one.

[studedude]

Going to a station where you had not been before is it possible you filled up with diesel instead of gas?

[jamielyn66]

I always triple check because I am paranoid I will do that

[studedude]

At this point there are so many things it could (fuel filter, fuel pump, bad gas, distributor rotor, distributor cap, ignition module, spark plugs and a host of internal engine problems) be you need to find a reliable mechanic. All we could do long distance is hunt and peck.

[ferretkona]

Could even be water in the fuel tank.

[jamielyn66]

Thanks everyone! I just wanted to see if anyone thought it was a blown engine