Questions and Answers

Wet Air Filter Q. Hi Vince, I have a 1990 Chevrolet Beretta with 188,000 miles on it. It has a 3.1 liter V-6 engine with multi-port fuel injection and an automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, and cruise control.

I went to perform some routine maintenance on this car and discovered that the air filter was totally saturated with gasoline, it felt like a wet sponge! The bottom of the air filter housing was wet with gas, too. I reached into the part of the housing that leads to the throttle body, and found that it was also wet, with a goo that smelled like gasoline, but was somewhat thicker, almost oil-like.

The car has been running fine, but in the past week it had begun to require more cranks with the starter than usual to get the engine going, and when it did start, it would surge for about 3 to 5 seconds, and then drop down to the normal idle speed. Driveability has not been a problem - on the road the car runs fine.

The only symptoms are the extra cranks to get the engine running and the accompanying surging, along with the wet air filter and housing. I'm not sure if this is pertinent, but the fuel injectors were replaced approximately 18 months ago.

Can you give me any clues as to what might be going on and what it will take to correct the problem?

On a related note, I'm the original owner of this car, have been meticulous about maintaining it, and was planning on driving it for another 2 or 3 years. But I must admit that I am beginning to wonder whether this latest problem is a sign that it is time to move on to a new vehicle. In the past three years I've had to have the ignition switch linkage in the steering column repaired, the fuel injectors replaced, and the Transmission Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid replaced.

Last month the car got a new radiator. I know this isn't a personal finance column, but what would be a typical average yearly amount for repairs of a vehicle of this age? If the number of repairs my car has required is above average, that would help me decide whether it is time to get another vehicle.

Thanks for your time and expertise.
Kenn

A. The only possibility I can think of is the injectors are leaking down when you shut off the engine. This would account for the long crank time and surge in that fuel pressure has to build up and the extra fuel will raise the engine rpm until it burns off.

The way to confirm this is to put a fuel pressure gauge on, start and run the car until you have fuel pressure and shut it off. Then pinch off the feed and return lines and check it in the morning. If the pressure has gone to zero, you have leaking injectors.

As for your other question, the rule of thumb I use is when repair costs (excluding fuel) exceed 7 cents a mile or more, it's time to look for a new car.

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