My 1992 Olds 98 Regency with a 3.8 V6/electronic fuel injection is hard starting. The car has high mileage, but I suspect it received a new engine sometime (I bought it used).
The car was at first hard starting hot, but now it can be so hot or cold. I have done the following, to no avail:
1. Cleaned plugs (plugs were in good condition)--plugs and wires are fairly new.
2. Checked ignition module-good spark.
3. Checked fuel pressure regulator-got flow of fuel from schraeder valve after ignition on (not cranking) for a few seconds.
4. Installed new crank position sensor.
5. Good battery connections.
Can you help me?
Thanks,
Mike
updated by Admin 5/26/09
I have checked the coils for spark by removing the wires and observing.
All terminals display strong spark arcing. Seems OK. One thing I did not notice until yesterday: one of the injectors makes an intermittent, brief hissing sound. If you think this indicates clogging, can I remove the injector, spray the tip with carb cleaner, and get better results? I've tried injector cleaner in the fuel.
updated 6-16-09
Sorry for the delay in responding. Had to get a fuel pressure tester.
My '92 Olds fuel pressure range should be 40-43 psi. When switching on
ignition only, and not starting the engine, pressure goes to 45 lbs,
and then drops to 0 when the fuel pump stops running, with the ignition
still on. There is a leak in the tester, which causes gasoline to drip
out the guage hose, but it does not seem to be too serious. I checked
the fuel modulator for vacuum tightness, and it seems OK. When running
the engine, pressure reads a constant 37 psi. I ran fuel pressure tests
with the gas tank pressurized and depressurized (gas cap on and off). I
also checked each injector with a mechanic's stethoscope, and got
distinct tapping noise from each. As mentioned earlier, the ignition
module gives strong arcing sparks between each pole, cold or hot
engine. Wires and plugs in good condition. I also put fuel injector
cleaner in the gas. Starting problem persists.
Thanks for sticking with me,
Mike
updated 6/27/09
Thanks for the help. One thing I neglected to mention was a strong smell of fuel after cranking the engine too much to get my '92 Olds started when hot. Any reactions to this?
Thanks again,
Mike
The car was at first hard starting hot, but now it can be so hot or cold. I have done the following, to no avail:
1. Cleaned plugs (plugs were in good condition)--plugs and wires are fairly new.
2. Checked ignition module-good spark.
3. Checked fuel pressure regulator-got flow of fuel from schraeder valve after ignition on (not cranking) for a few seconds.
4. Installed new crank position sensor.
5. Good battery connections.
Can you help me?
Thanks,
Mike
updated by Admin 5/26/09
I have checked the coils for spark by removing the wires and observing.
All terminals display strong spark arcing. Seems OK. One thing I did not notice until yesterday: one of the injectors makes an intermittent, brief hissing sound. If you think this indicates clogging, can I remove the injector, spray the tip with carb cleaner, and get better results? I've tried injector cleaner in the fuel.
updated 6-16-09
Sorry for the delay in responding. Had to get a fuel pressure tester.
My '92 Olds fuel pressure range should be 40-43 psi. When switching on
ignition only, and not starting the engine, pressure goes to 45 lbs,
and then drops to 0 when the fuel pump stops running, with the ignition
still on. There is a leak in the tester, which causes gasoline to drip
out the guage hose, but it does not seem to be too serious. I checked
the fuel modulator for vacuum tightness, and it seems OK. When running
the engine, pressure reads a constant 37 psi. I ran fuel pressure tests
with the gas tank pressurized and depressurized (gas cap on and off). I
also checked each injector with a mechanic's stethoscope, and got
distinct tapping noise from each. As mentioned earlier, the ignition
module gives strong arcing sparks between each pole, cold or hot
engine. Wires and plugs in good condition. I also put fuel injector
cleaner in the gas. Starting problem persists.
Thanks for sticking with me,
Mike
updated 6/27/09
Thanks for the help. One thing I neglected to mention was a strong smell of fuel after cranking the engine too much to get my '92 Olds started when hot. Any reactions to this?
Thanks again,
Mike
May 3, 2009 at 12:18 AM