Recently, I have replaced the fuel filter, the check valve on the fule line, & the fuel pump relay to solve these problems. Yesterday 2 miles from my house at 25mph the engine started cutting. It was if someone cut the key off. I pulled in a lot and the car cranked up and it ran strong. I went on to work and I went home for lunch, but on the way back home after work it cut off again at a slow speed and would not start running. Once when cranking it acted like it wanted to start. I patted the gas pedal but it could not get going. Then I tried again and smoke came from under the hood. I then bypassed the 25amp fuse with a quater, but still no luck. Luckily I was walking distance from home. I walked home called AAA and walked back to the car. I tried to crank it and it cranked right up. I cancelled the call and drove it home.
As far as the hard to crank issue, I am having to turn the motor over for 15 seconds vs. 3 seconds before the engine starts to run. I have read about a possible idle sensor problem in the forum, but I think that the idle sensor was not used until 1989.
Is it one of the fuel pumps, trash in the tank, or something else. Are the issues related?
What gas mileage should I be getting? I am getting 21mpg. I think that is low for these cars. Is the low mpg related to these problems?
Thank you for the advice in advance!!!