Nissan Repair: 1988 pulsar 1.8 starting/idling problem, fuel pressure regulator, fuel system treatment

Question
I am having a problem with my 88 Pulsar ca18de engine, when engine cold, vehicle will turn over and turnover for at least a minute, smell lots of gas fumes, keep cranking and it will start sound like its running on 2 cyls, then clear up and run smooth, however idle is at 1500rpm, after about 20 mins of driving, idle will be around 1000rpm when stopped at lights, car starts fine while still warm, but if left to cool down a bit, its a really pain to start, anyideas? thanks for takeing the time to read this.

Mike

Answer
Mike,

It sounds like you have leaky injectors.  You could start by getting a fuel system treatment and a new fuel filter.  But, my bet is going to be that one or more injectors are not closing when the engine is shut down.  When it sits and it is cold it is a pain to start because it is flooding.  Also, check the fuel pressure regulator.  Get a gauge at Autozone or Checker and check the system fuel pressure.  Get a Haynes manual to find the required fuel pressure for your vehicle and go from there.  Now, when you shut the car down, with the gauge screwed into the valve on the fuel rail, the pressure should not drop off imediately.  If it does you know you have a bad injector.  If the pressure is really high with the vacuum line connected to the fuel pressure regulator, while running and when you pull the vacuum line off the pressure should rise.  If the pressure stays the same you know the regulator is blown out and running max pressure against the injectors when it should not be.  Like when the engine is cold.  Check these things out and email me back with your findings.