1990 wont start

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Mar 19, 2015 | 11:26 AM

cdebbold

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Cruising

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1990 wont start

Im having a problem with my 90 vette. after sitting about 30 minutes, the car would not start. The mechanic said he was able to get it to start for a few seconds and it blew a lot of white smoke. i was told it could be the head gaskets or the vehicle's computer. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Mar 19, 2015 | 12:39 PM

tbirdsps

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From: Ridgecrest Ca

Let's assume the mechanic actually saw white smoke. Could be headgaskets but did he really see white or was it gray. Has your coolant level be going down? Probably NOT the computer.

It could be flooded due to drippy injectors. Next time it won't start hold the gas pedal too the floor while cranking. If it starts it will clear the excess fuel. If that works then you probably do have drippy injectors.

Mar 19, 2015 | 06:46 PM

cdebbold

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdsps

Thanks for the info. I haven't been able to get it to start again. Would a head gasket failure make the vehicle not start. It will turn over a few times and then just stop. I was smelling gas as it was attempting to start. Im being forced to tow it again somewhere else because the first mechanic doesn't do this type of work. Im trying to determine what the problem is so I can plan for how much it may cost. i know a head gasket repair is not cheap. Thanks again

Mar 19, 2015 | 07:20 PM

antfarmer2

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Pull the plugs out and see if water comes out if it does drain the coolant and put some oil in the plug holes turn it over with the plugs out so it does not do more damage from the water

Mar 19, 2015 | 08:02 PM

cdebbold

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Quote:

Originally Posted by antfarmer2

Pull the plugs out and see if water comes out if it does drain the coolant and put some oil in the plug holes turn it over with the plugs out so it does not do more damage from the water

Ok. I will give that a try. Thanks. What will that hope to diagnose?

Mar 19, 2015 | 08:49 PM

antfarmer2

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If it turns over then locks up it could be coolant in the cylinders could be headgasket cracked head or block my fingers are crossed for you if you pull all the plugs out and have someone turn it over and coolant comes out it is not good

Mar 20, 2015 | 12:33 AM

Cliff Harris

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Anaheim CA

Pull all the plugs out and check the ends for being "steam cleaned" (blown head gasket). The one of the left came out of cylinder #7 (the usual suspect). The end is shiny and clean vs. the others that have black soot on them:

Mar 20, 2015 | 10:25 AM

Churchkey

Melting Slicks

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From: Cherokee National Forest TN

Connect a battery charger.
Remove the dipstick, if the oil is milky (tan) you have a coolant issue.
As advised remove the plugs to check + check coolant level.

If you do not have a coolant issue:

90's are famous for bad injectors. The system is "batch fire" if one injector shorts it can prevent operation of the rest of them.

Ohm test each injector for 14 - 16 ohms. If you find one or two below 14 ohms leave it/them disconnected the engine should start & run on the remaining cylinders.