1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hard to Start on Humid Days

1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
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KING5761
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1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive 80,000 miles

My car starts and runs fine as long as the weather does not turn hot and humid. When it does, when you start the engine it acts like it wants to stall until you get it into drive and start down the road. If I use the expensive, high octane gas, it will manage to keep going but keeps threatening to stall when I stop for a light and have to start up again. If I use the lower octane gas, once the engine is up to operating temp, if I shut it off for a few minutes and try to restart it, it will not start until the engine cools down. What is wrong with this car? A mechanic near my home told me he thought it was a vapor lock but I know that only happens with really old, carburated cars.

If you can solve this riddle, I will gladly make a donation.
Jun 7, 2010 at 11:25 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Vapor lock can happen to any vehicle, so that is possible. As far as not starting, does it give you trouble when it rains? Also, has the check engine light come on?
Jul 1, 2010 at 8:43 PM
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KING5761
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No, it does fine on rainy days.

The check engine light does come on but only if after I start the car it runs rough & tries to stall. After a while it goes out. I have had it checked & it is giving a code for engine misfire & a general one indicating there is a problem with the evapirative emissions. Since it is a general code it doesn't specify what the problem is & mechanics tell ne it could cost at least a $100 or even more than that to determine the exact cause of the problem. They have also told me that an evapirative emissions problem is "nothing" & is not important.

I thought only cars with carburaters could have problems with vapor lock? That's not true then?
Jul 5, 2010 at 4:16 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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This is interesting. If it only happens on humid days, it makes me believe it is ignition related. But you mentioned it doesn't act up when it rains. I need you to check something. At night when it is dark, open the hood, and mist water on the plug wires, cap, anything related to the ignition system and start the engine. Look under the hood for spark or arcing. Let me know what you find with that.

As far as the emissions problem, the system can cause all types of different problems. However, it wouldn't be only on humid days. If you can find out the code he got, it may be helpful to me.

Let mek now.

Joe
Jul 5, 2010 at 8:53 PM