Stall when putting in gear

[professorpunishment]

Hello all - and happy new year.

Long time since I have had to look for help! Guess that is a good thing.

Now, short description of the problem: van starts normally, idles steady but engine vibrates / shakes a lot, then stalls when I put it into gear (drive or reverse). If I use the throttle lock to keep the revs up while changing gears, it runs for maybe a a few seconds longer, then stalls.

Long description: leading up to this problem, since last summer, a number of things that seemed pretty simple were fixed. Coolant leak (rad was leaking). Thermostat replaced. Exhaust system almost completely fell apart and was replaced. On the way to the garage for the exhaust system replacement, the van had really low power, could barely get over 40 kph with accelerator on the floor.

My mechanics are stumped (I have two that I trust and who have done good work for me in Fredericton). Can anyone help?

[jessef]

By your lack of power and stalling, likely your engine is not getting enough fuel/air.

Check the air cleaner to make sure it's clean.

Crack the injectors and check for fuel pressure. Turning it over it will pump fuel out in little spits. If it doesn't, you're injectors are cloggged, or work backwards and check from your fuel filter.

[tonydca]

Ongoing problem, or all of a sudden? Like, after a recent fillup?

If the latter, possibly dirty/watery fuel?

[professorpunishment]

Thanks to you both. I will have mechanic check filter and injectors.

As to fuel, I don't think that's it. Problem did not emerge shortly after a fill up... seemed to be kind of a growing issue over the past several months.