Pontiac Owners Club UK

(91 Trans Am, 5.0 TPI LB9)

Went for a short drive Monday evening. When I got back the engine cut out as I was parking up (it would only have been idling). Turning the key started it straight up again.

Next time I tried using the car was Thursday morning and I just couldn't get the engine to start. Tried again Friday and it eventually started after many attempts. I left it idling (noticed the revs were occasionally dipping) and it cut out after a few minutes, but again I was able to start it straight up again. I didn't drive it anywhere.

Today it's back to not starting again. I've ordered new ignition components - ICM, distributor cap, rotor, coil, wires, spark plugs. I've got a new fuel filter but can't fit it until I manage to get the car onto the drive. Could the fuel pump be failing? I know there's a test valve on the fuel rail but I don't have a gauge to hook up to it.

My 92 did this one day when I took her out, its turned out to be the distributor cap & rotor. replaced and all was good again. I noticed also that when it rained water runs down all over the distributor on the 92 so had a little plastic thing made up to keep it dry. Don't know if the 91 has the same issue?

Mine's got a plastic piece that matches the shape of the intake plenum and covers the distributor cap - I thought that was standard on all TPIs? Still, I'll replace the cap and rotor anyway as I don't know how old they are.

I replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the throttle body and idle control valve. It started up and idled fine afterwards. Not sure if it's "fixed" - I'll see how it behaves over the next week. Fingers crossed!

I don't know if the cover is standard as mine at the time didn't have one. hope you get it sorted with minimal cost!

Well today it started fine, then stalled when I put it in reverse to get off the drive. It did that a couple of times but was alright after a few minutes warming up in Park.

New ignition components should be here by the weekend. Hopefully that fixes it!

I started installing my new ignition components at the weekend:

- Spark plugs (who decided it was a good idea to hide them under the exhaust manifolds? )
- Spark plug wires
- Ignition coil

Then I took off the old distributor cap and found that a chunk had broken off the reluctor (is that the right word?) on the top of the distributor. So a new distributor is on the way from RockAuto!

Thought it would be that. A least you know now.

The advice seems to be to ensure that cylinder 1 is at TDC before replacing the distributor. Is that necessary or can I just note the position of the rotor arm and ensure the new one is installed the same way? Obviously I'll still have to adjust the timing afterwards.

I just noted the position of the rotor arm didn't even have to do the timing seem to run fine, but i did take it for a service and a tune a week later just in case to make sure all was spot on. They did say the timing was a wee bit off when they tuned her up

Well the new distributor has fixed my starting and running problems, but seems to have given me a new oil leak. I used a new Fel-Pro gasket on it but oil is still finding a way out, just where the distributor shaft enters the intake manifold. Maybe I need to pull it out and reseat it again?

Pull it out and use some RTV silicone on the gasket to seal it up.