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Why does my car idle, but then die when I hit the throttle?
My car starts just fine. And if I sit there idling, everything seems normal. But if I give it any throttle, it dies. What would cause a car to idle, but then die with throttle?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no—I’m sorry to hear your engine is dying! Issues like this can be very frustrating. The most likely culprit is a dirty or clogged air filter. Issues with your fuel pump or fuel filter can also cause your engine to idle then die with any throttle. If you have an older car, it could also be a bad carburetor.
The good news is that the air filter, which is likely the cause of the trouble, is easy to change yourself. If the air filter is dirty or clogged, your engine will not get enough oxygen and die with any significant throttle.
If, however, the problem persists after the air filter has been changed, you may be looking at a more involved repair. Have a mechanic inspect your fuel pump and fuel filter, as these can also cause the engine to die.
If you have an older car from the 1980s or before, it might still use a carburetor. If so, the carburetor could be faulty and cause your engine to die due to a lack of adequate fuel. Make sure that you get a mechanic to work on it that is familiar with these antiquated pieces of equipment—many mechanics today have rarely (if ever) had to work with carburetors.
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- Gregory R.
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