Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Sometimes gas pedal must be depressed for van to start. If you only turn the key van engine will turn over but stalls immediately.
yesterday after depressing gas pedal to start the engine idled very rough. white smoke came from the exhaust. Engine was rough for 3-4 minutes until it warmed up a bit.
(Van hasn't been driven much in the past 3 months)
After driving 60 miles with gas tank nearly empty I noticed that acceleration would pause for a split second. I stopped at a fill-up station,left van running and put in 5 gal. of gas. Engine was idling very rough and black smoke was coming out of tail pipe. When I went to drive off the van stalled. I haven't been able to start it since. It turns over, sounds like it is going to start, but doesn't. I have to depress the accelerator pedal to get it to do this. I removed the air filter and I can smell gasoline when I try to start it.
Oil level is good (recent oil change). Water level is good.
Any ideas? I'm stuck in a rural area and don't know of any mechanics in the area.
Thanks - Bob Turner
Answer -
Sounds like an ignition problem to the spark plugs or an exhaust restriction or water in the fuel.
Try pouiring in 2 cans of dry gas and let it set for an hour and see if it will start.
Otherwise check for adequate BLUE spark at the spark plugs and the possibility of an exhaust restriction.
There are numerous other possibilities, But here is some places to start.
autohelp.
FOLLOW UP QUESTION FOLLOW UP QUESTION
Thanks very much for answering my initial question so quickly. I really appreciate your help.
It turns out that there is a mechanic not far from where I broke down. There are a lot of junked cars in his lot that he can salvage parts from.
He is using a trial and error approach to the problem and hasn't gotten very far. I'll tell you what's gone on so far.
The spark plugs were fouled and covered in black oil. Thay were replaced. The engine started. But the same problem I had just before it stalled re-occurred. The engine ran rough and black smoke came from the exhaust.
Next he thought there wasn't enough vacume so he replaced the map sensor with a used one he had around. No change.
He removed the throttle body and the left injector (looking forward from inside the vehicle) seemed to be dripping too much fuel into the chamber.(black smoke still coming from the exhaust) When he removed the plastic cap with the wires coming from the vehicle's computer, exposing the 2 metel prongs, the fuel stopped going into the left side and the vehicle ran more smoothly (no black smoke), There seemed to be no problem on the right side.
He then replaced the throttle body with a used one that he took off a junked 91 gmc with a 350 engine (my engine is a 305)he said the engine on the junker ran well.
Same problem. No change at all even after the throttle body was replaced.
He did mention that the catalytic convertor might be shot. He's also thinking that the vehicle's computer may have malfunctioned. First thing tomorrow morning he's going to call around and try to find a used computer. Tonight ended with him saying that the only way he'll know if it is a computer problem is if he replaces it. (If it's not the computer he said he'll try to return the used one that he plans on buying).
Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks again - Bob
AnswerI do NOT approve of JUNK YARD parts of anykind. Especially electronic components.
That 350 throttle body MUST come OFF as the injectors are NOT calibrated for a 305 engine nor is the pressure regulator.
The MAP sensor also MUST be replaced due to the same reason.
He needs to perform a BACK PRESSURE test on the exhaust system as it most likely is RESTRICTED due to an internal catalytic converter collapse.
A back pressure test should have been the FIRST test that should have been done instead of all this GUESSING.
NOTE: Make SURE he does NOT install a 350 computer into your 305 vehicle or you will REALLY have problems.
Your getting yourself into an area where you have no way of knowing if ANY of these JUNK YARD parts are any good.
You will be extremly LUCKY if you get this vehicle to run correctly.
GUESSING is VERY DANGEROUS.
autohelp
