3.0 Problems
 

I'm having problems starting my 3.0 (CIS). The only way I can get it started is to crank the distributor all the way over and the car starts in the first crank and idles fine. But if I give it gas it bogs and doesn't rev (which I'm sure it's because the timing would be off). So once the motor is running, I try to do the timing, but the car stalls and won't restart. I did pull the plugs and they're getting spark, but they're a little moist and smell of gas. The car has sat for about a year, just FYI. The only thing I replaced so far is just the rotor, because it was worn. Anyone have any ideas of what else I can do to trouble shoot or maybe have an idea of what it may be. Thanks!

I'm guessing here. If you have to move the distributor to get it started, Maybe the advance weights in the distributor are stuck from corrosion. Or vacume advance is not working??

Does the rotor point to the notch on the distributor when #1 piston is at top dead center?

And there are all my guesses for this evening....

Get the engine running and warmed up ... they do a plot of rpm vs. advance with a timing light. I suspect you will find a defective centrifugal advance mechanism ...

Ok. I checked all the above and still having the same problem. Now that the distributor is rulled out, I wonder about something else. Would the timing be off this bad and lack power because of a failed cam chain tensioner or a stretched out chain? If someone could maybe give me an idea if this is possible before I actually start digging around in the motor, that would be great. Thanks in advance.

I'm with the other guys. I don't think it's possible for the timing chain to stretch that much, especially if it hasn't run for a year, and if the tensioner failed, it would make a lot of noise, but it it didn't jump a tooth, the valve timing would be close to correct. If you have to retard the timing it get it to start, which I'm assuming when you say "crank the distributor all the way over" then, as mentioned by the other posers, the advance mechanism is probably stuck too far advanced, or the vacuum advance (which is really a retard on most engines) is stuck.

Hi Dvdman,

I'm thinking of the fuelpump and the "one way valve" (hold-the- pressure-in-your-fuel-system-valve" ) which is also in your fuel system, attached to the fuel pump. Last mentioned can be stucked after several years of non running...

Good luck,

dick911

Get CIS gauges (and a Bentley Manual if you don't have one) and check your system pressures.