Hard/no start, runs rough
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 4
From: Paint Hill NC
Hard/no start, runs rough
I parked my 88 2 years ago, had a no/hard start at that time. Treated gas with with sta-bil, 1/3 tank. Back to working on it now. Drained what gas I could, looked clear, no cloudiness, red tint. Car hard starts, sometimes no start. Runs rough but will catch and run fantastic, then back to rough.
I have pulled the Denso Iridium plugs, black fluffy deposits but no build up. Wires are good recent Accell. When I first started working on it the fuel pressure was 37 with the needle jumping all around. Would not hold pressure at cutoff. Adjusted the FP regulator to 40. Put seafoam in the remaining gas. Ran it a while and the pressure stayed steady at 40 and held there at least 2 hours after shut off.
I have swapped the maf, new tps, ohmed the injectors (all 17.8-18.1). Fuel pump and filter are maybe 4 years old.
Drove here to work, put in 5 gals of BP 93 on the way. Left the station running perfect but started stumbling/missing pretty bad. Made it to work, turned it off, will not restart, tried every hour and a half or so for 5 hours. Waiting for the wife to bring the fuel pressure gauge.
Thanks.
I have pulled the Denso Iridium plugs, black fluffy deposits but no build up. Wires are good recent Accell. When I first started working on it the fuel pressure was 37 with the needle jumping all around. Would not hold pressure at cutoff. Adjusted the FP regulator to 40. Put seafoam in the remaining gas. Ran it a while and the pressure stayed steady at 40 and held there at least 2 hours after shut off.
I have swapped the maf, new tps, ohmed the injectors (all 17.8-18.1). Fuel pump and filter are maybe 4 years old.
Drove here to work, put in 5 gals of BP 93 on the way. Left the station running perfect but started stumbling/missing pretty bad. Made it to work, turned it off, will not restart, tried every hour and a half or so for 5 hours. Waiting for the wife to bring the fuel pressure gauge.
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Possibly in spite of your efforts there is water in the tank. also possible there is crud somewhere in the fuel system. Two years sitting with ethanol Stabil or not, is a long time.
I would start with basics- when the car will not start, give it a small sniff of ether into the intake, crank and see if anything happens. If the car tries to start, you have a fuel problem. If no reaction, check a plug wire for spark while cranking but not starting. If you have an induction-type timing light, it will be easier. Once you know whether you are lacking fuel or spark, you can go on to step 2.
I would start with basics- when the car will not start, give it a small sniff of ether into the intake, crank and see if anything happens. If the car tries to start, you have a fuel problem. If no reaction, check a plug wire for spark while cranking but not starting. If you have an induction-type timing light, it will be easier. Once you know whether you are lacking fuel or spark, you can go on to step 2.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 4
From: Paint Hill NC
I figured since I was chasing this problem way back when there was little chance or water in the fuel. Figured wrong. Drew about 7-8 ounces of gas through the FP test gauge and there was about a tablespoon of water in it. I guess drain the gas, clean out the tank and change the filter.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I figured since I was chasing this problem way back when there was little chance or water in the fuel. Figured wrong. Drew about 7-8 ounces of gas through the FP test gauge and there was about a tablespoon of water in it. I guess drain the gas, clean out the tank and change the filter.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Glad to hear you found the problem.
