(puts on flame suit)

I am the proud owner of a 1995 Isuzu Trooper (brick on slinkies) AT w/ 116k miles. Something isn't right. About two days it began stumbling when I would give it gas. Almost like it was running out of gas, but it's not. I notice it mostly on the highway. So I tried driving around in third, on backroads, and the problem seemed to go away. However, when I drive at speed in drive it still stumbles, bucks, lags whatever you want to call it. Is it something to do with the fuel injection? How about the tranny? I keep up on regular maintance but I haven't done the timing belt. I am flirting with disaster as far as that goes. Thanks

 

timing belt? ionno im not a mechanic

i got that feeling the night my timing belt snapped. it felt like it wasnt going when you gassed it right?

 

your car was still going after that belt snapped?

 

yah exactly, it would pause a few seconds then begin accelerating. on/off/on/off.

 

Do a basic tune-up. Cap, rotor, plugs. Does it have mass-air? If you can, remove the meter and clean it with electrical parts cleaner.

 

No, I don't believe it has mass air meter. Those are mostly on newer cars right. I mean the thing is OBD1. Better to spend the money on a tune up or break down and do the Timing belt?

 

LOL at timing belt causing bucking. Either your timing belt is broke and you dont move at all or your timing belt is fine and your car drives. Its not an on/off thing. Check your 02 sensors.

 

You didn't read what I wrote in the proper context. I am aware that once you snap your timing belt you can bend a valve etc. In my case my car becomes scrap metal. I said it's on/off/on/off referencing the way my car acts when I hit the gas. I know a timing belt can slip too if it's not on correctly/worn out. I'm just making sure I don't get stranded tommorow.

 

what are your trouble codes?

http://www.troublecodes.net/isuzu/

changed out the fuel filter?

checked out the vacuum hoses?

what size engine?

if you have the 3.2L engine, you don't have an interference engine, so you can put a hold on that...

if you have the 2.6 L engine, then worry about bending valves when the timing belt does snap