Gene

Thanks for all the thoughts gents. Blue Train, you are SO right when you say intermittent problems are the WORST! This thing runs so good but I can't drive it now because you never know when it will just suddenly die. I did take it to one of the mechanics in my tiny town here who was supposed to be the best. He drove it for about 20 miles and it ran perfectly and said he didn't know what it could be. I went to pick it up and it died 2 miles down the road on my way home! I know where the main fuel filter is under the body, in the rear of the driver's side. I changed that one but does anyone know if there IS ANOTHER one somewhere? I wish I could be so lucky as it being a fuel filter!

Yes it is. Is there more than one fuel filter?

I've got a 1988 Justy 4WD that I bought new. Except for minor things it's been a good little car. In the last couple of years, it has started just suddenly dying. At first it would stumble but come back on and drive fine. Then it just mysteriously started shutting completely down on the freeway. I would pop the clutch and it would start again and then run fine. After awhile, it would just die and I'd have to coast to the shoulder. I would crank for awhile and it would start and then run fine again. Now, it's doing it all the time. In town, on the freeway, whatever. It runs perfect when it runs but you never know when it will shut down on you. Sometimes it'll start other times you have to leave it where it sets for a day or so and then it will start, (eventually). I just changed plugs, plug wires, rotor, distributor cap and the coil. Didn't help. A guy told me the exact same thing was happening to his wife's Ford Explorer and it was the oxygen sensor. Does this sound legit? I live very rural and there are no dealers and the few mechanics here don't know diddly squat about any car newer than about 1975! Help me please!!!

Again, thanks for all the answers gents but do you think a weak coil could be the culprit?

^

Thanks for the tips gents. Urban, The weather where I live can be over 100 degrees in the summer and down to zero in the winter. The problem has arose in both. It's happened in 10 degree cold and 100 degree heat. I will check the heat riser to make sure it's intact. Ed, Excuse my ignorance but where does one find the "sock" as you call it? Sounds like something to definitely check out. This has happened sparatically since the car was about 3 years old so it's been a problem for a dozen yearsor so. The thing is it would just sort of "cough" at first and through the years has become worse and worse to where it will now completely shut down occasionally. It also will cough once in awhile even at slower speeds but never shut completely down. Mechanics have checked the car out but of course no matter how much they tried, they couldn't get it to happen to them. Could the coil be the culprit and don't most fuel pumps just go completely out when bad?

I have a 1988 Justy 4WD that I bought brand new. It has 125K on it and it still runs very strong. It's been a pretty solid little car, (and it's been run pretty hard), except for things like the heater fan giving out and nit-picky little things. The only problem I have is that when running on the freeway it will occasionally completely shut down. I have to pop the clutch a couple of times and then it will "catch" and run again. On a couple of very rare occasions I've had to pull over to the side of the freeway and restart it. It never seems to happen around town only on the freeway and it's dangerous. It only does it every once in awhile but I'm afraid to take it very far anymore because you never know when it will do it. The electrics are still working when it shuts down so I assume it's a fuel problem. I 've changed the fuel filter, changed plugs, wires, rotor, everything I can think of. A guy told me I should change out the coil especially since the car has 125K on it and that might cure it. I checked the coil with an old meter and it said it was putting out 14 volts. I'm not sure of the old meter's accuracy but it still showed the coil seemed to be working. Any ideas gents? Thanks.