My car an '86 used to start with just a turn of the key, this past winter that ended. Back in December I started having problems. I would turn the key and have to keep giving it gas to keep it running, I then would have to gas and brake to keep it going. This would continue for 5 min or so then it would run fine. I first assumed bad gas so I just lived with it. As soon as the weather got better ( I have to work out side), I did some maintenance I had been planning. I changed cap&rotor, plugs,fuel filter, O2 sensor, since I had a spare fuel pump and strainer I replaced that as well.
The problem starting continues and now I have what feels like a miss when it idles in drive, this is intermittent every third light I stop at. When I accelerate the engine "burbles" as if the plugs are loading up, it then clears and drives normally. I also seem to be having some higher temperature 210-228 until the fan engages, but the temp seems to rise faster then it used to. I plan to flush and change the thermostat, and check the dirt buildup on the radiator. The car just passed the NYS emission inspection. I'm going to check vacuum and fuel pressure.
Any ideas? Am I missing something? Cap and rotor are Accel, plugs are Bosch copper, all other items are GM.
Car has 112k miles.
Barrier
:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

This could be the IAC. That little motor won't last forever.

 

Well I bought a fuel pressure guage. Pressure after start is about 39lbs. ( this was in the rain, so I could not be more precise).it didn't get above that even when I revved the engine a bit. I turned off the engine and pressure went instantly to zero. I checked the manual it points to faulty Fuel Pressure Regulator, seems to indicate this would cause my hard cold starting problems. When and if it stops raining I'll check the vacuum to the pressure reg. Anybody have other suggestions? I don't think it could be fuel injector failure since it happens instantly although they are probably weak at 112k miles, I could be wrong.
Anybody know ballpark price of a Fuel Pressure Regulator?
Ray, I don't know if this would point to the IAC.
thanks
Barrier


[Modified by Barrier, 2:06 PM 6/22/2003]

 

You really have to open the throttle fully to get enough of a vacuum drop to cause the pressure to raise. You indicated you revved the engine a bit. Your best bet is to disconnect the vacuum line while watching your pressure. With no vacuum the spring will extend and allow full pressure.

I can't say I've seen leaky injectors cause the pressure to drop to 0 immediately, but if all were leaking, maybe. A bad in tank check valve though, I have seen cause this. You need to do the hose pince test to see where you're losing pressure.

Since you seem to be describing too much fuel and not too little, I don't believe your regulator is the problem. You could have a short in your Thermo-time Switch causing your Cold Start Valve to be open at all times. Try disconnecting your Cold Start Valve and see what happens.