Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question below:
Hi Van, we already put dry gas in several times. The car doesn't start not below freezing, but maybe around 30-35 degrees. Once the car is started when it is cold (sometimes this happens) it will then run fine and can be shut off and restarted later.
It is when after this that it sits overnight when it is cold and then won't start in the morning. My other cutlass we tried temperature sensor but it didn't work. We haven't tried that with this one.
If it is the fuel pump wouldn't it not start in warmer temperature's also?
Any other ideas? There is something about the car being left in the cold that it takes very very long trying it and returning and trying for it to start. This means cranking it and fooling around with it and stopping for about a half hour. Of course then we smell gas and have to stop and retry.
Someone mentioned a module? Possibly the temperature sensor? What do you think.
We can't believe this is the second Cutlass Cierra we are having the exact same problem with. My first one they couldn't hook to the scanner. There was a problem so they started with the cheap ideas first and they didn't work. Finally the timing chain went from cranking it so much one time, we junked it.
Again we appreciate and ideas you have.
Thanks again.
This is our second olds. First was 89, this is 91. Same problem. In the cold weather the car will not start. In the warmer weather it starts and runs fine. College son was stranded over holiday. Had it towed, garage replaced plugs, fuel filter and new battery. The battery was shorted probably from the college guys trying to jump it. Car started and went 180 miles and then some. As soon as the temp. dropped outside the car wouldn't start again. This time starting it with the pedal half down (if that mattered?) many times and it finally started. Now he's back at school the weather dropped and car is stranded on street again.Tried starting at different times. No good. Sometimes if you try to start it for awhile and leave it and come back it would work. But, we think because the outside temp also goes up. Running out of funds, car is 200 miles away and nervous about another shop looking and diagnosing, but, it's all he has. What ideas do you have we are desperate. Thanks!
Answer -
Hello Lorie&Bob,
If the problem only happens when the tamp is below freezing, I would be thinking there might be some water in the gas.
I would run some Heet, or STP gas treatment in the tank, with several fillups, and see if it helps, although it will take a few hours of running to thoroughly mix.
I would actually pour a double dose in for the first time, or a bottle to a half tank.
I would like to know if you can hear the fuel pump running in the gas tank for a few seconds when the key is turned to run.(not start, but just to run). It should run like that. (I assume that car is fuel injected.)
If it just happens to still have a carburetor, the choke may be out of adjustment, and the accelerator pump could need attention, but fuel injected cars don't have either.
Fuel pressure is something I would check, even with the new filter.
Van
AnswerHi Lori,
My thought was water freezing in the line, or in the injectors.
There is a chart for TESTING the coolant temperature sensors. it is actually part of a different forum, but you may want to look at the whole problem, and then look some more.
http://us.f818.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowFolder?rb=Coolant%20temp%20sensor%20ohm%20s
Then here is another that you might need some day.
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm
Module is what controls the spark and timing, and also the injection, but I would work on some cheaper stuff first. I would for sure want to know if there is spark, and if the fuel pressure is staying where it belongs.
If you are smelling gas, try holding the gas pedal all the way down, and that will keep any fuel from being injected, since that should place it in clear-flood-mode.
As for that old timing chain....cranking the engine will NOT cause the chain and gears to wear out, but worn chain and gears WILL cause hard starting, cause everything is happening at the wrong time.
Van
