Skimaster028 Posted February 11, 2011 Report Posted February 11, 2011 Hey guys, I searched FAQ and the powertrain sections for about an hour but I couldn't find any info that relates to my problem. My 1993 3.4 cutlass has been taking progressively longer to start over the past couple of days. At first it was turning over and popping a little bit and then it would start. When it finally started the idle was really ruff and it sounded like it was gonna die but after like 30 seconds the car ran like normal. But now it just turns over and will not start (it sounds like it wants to fire but it wont). All of the coils were replaced about a year ago so i don't think its that... I'm thinking its a fuel problem but idk how to go about testing that. Thanks so much for any help!!! Quote
white4d96 Posted February 11, 2011 Report Posted February 11, 2011 When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? Quote
RobertISaar Posted February 11, 2011 Report Posted February 11, 2011 pull both(one in glovebox, one in the fuel pump relay "container") ECM fuses for a couple of minutes, replace them, then see if it help anything... that will reset all fuel and IAC learned stuff. it will probably idle like poo for ~20 minutes, but it should drive normally. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 It was sometime within the last year that I replaced the filter, I bought a new filter and I will replace it again tomorrow just in case. RobertISaar, I gave your suggestion a shot, but it didn't work. I can hear the fuel pump when I turn the ignition key, so I'm beginning to think it is not a fuel problem... Quote
RobertISaar Posted February 12, 2011 Report Posted February 12, 2011 well, since what i suggested didn't make a difference, then the IAC and fuel trims are ruled out. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 well i should say, I couldn't get the car to start after I removed/replaced them, but idk if it is because of that. I will go out and try it again real fast. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 yeah, couldn't get it to start. I checked the valve on the fuel rail, and it seems to have pretty good pressure.... Quote
RobertISaar Posted February 12, 2011 Report Posted February 12, 2011 after a starting attempt, pull the front plugs at least and see if they're soaked with fuel, to see if fuel is getting into the cylinders. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 I pulled two plugs and it looks like fuel is getting in there. However, my spark plugs look like ass. Ahhhh I think my plugs are oil fouled........ My car does eat a significant amount of oil. Tomorrow I will pick up some plugs and see what happens, I have a feeling that is the problem. Thoughts? how do I get to the back spark plugs? Thanks a lot for the help so far! Quote
RobertISaar Posted February 12, 2011 Report Posted February 12, 2011 oil fouled plugs can definitely cause this type of crap so you're probably on the right track. Quote
Andrew Posted February 12, 2011 Report Posted February 12, 2011 yeah, couldn't get it to start. I checked the valve on the fuel rail, and it seems to have pretty good pressure....get a fuel pressure guage on there. should be around 35psi key on. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 I replaced the front three plugs and it started (not easily but easier than before). However, it smoked really bad when i first started it. It usually smokes when I start the car but stops after a few seconds. This time it didn't stop smoking. The smoke calmed down but didn't stop. Quote
734_jackson Posted February 12, 2011 Report Posted February 12, 2011 to get to the back plugs is best through the passenger side of the motor. i just dide a set of plugs an wires about ten min. ago later Rob:thumbsup: Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Posted February 12, 2011 Okay, I replace all the plugs. When i pulled out the back plugs, they were doused in oil and even worse looking than the front ones. Also, the oil was on the plug wire holder thing, so it is getting out of there some how. The car was still hard to start but it finally started and I took it for a test drive. It was running like crap vibrating badly. It didn't seem to be smoking much from my point of view. Quote
Andrew Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 oil in the cylinders and smoking.... blue smoke i presume? Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 13, 2011 Author Report Posted February 13, 2011 I turned the key this morning and it started right up, smoked a little bit (like usual) then stopped smoking. It is still running like crap, it feels like one or two cylinders are not firing... I'm thinking maybe a coil went bad? I replaced one coil 3 years ago and the other two 4 years ago. This morning I took the car to an auto service center, and they basically told me they don't want anything to do with it lol. So I went to another one and they wanted $100 just to check it out. The car just isn't worth the $$$ to have them tell me my rear struts are broken, leaking tranny fluid, leaking a little coolant, etc, etc, etc. If I can't fix it myself then its going to the junkyard because there are so many other things wrong with it that its just not worth the investment. Is there any way to test a coil? and how bad would it be to drive 100 miles on a bad coil? And yes blue smoke, Quote
AL Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 You can ohm out the coils but I dont remember the reading you should see... However if you ohm out all the coils and 2 are the same and ones different then you found the bad one, but a bad coil can still ohm out ok Quote
virtuetovice Posted February 15, 2011 Report Posted February 15, 2011 I'd check the compression if I were you. Quote
Skimaster028 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Report Posted February 19, 2011 I chaged all three coils, still running like shit. Compression check sounds like a good idea Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.