First startup after a year - barely running

porschenut · 03-15-2010, 01:45 PM

I just tried starting my project car - 86 coupe - for the first time in a year. It ran beautifully before starting the project.

It cranked a REALLY long time before finally catching hold (over a minute). It idles, but at extremely low RPM and the whole car shakes so bad I thought the door would fall off.

If I press the gas pedal to the floor, the RPM's barely increase.

Does this sound like one or more of the plugs aren't getting a spark? I ask this because last night I installed a new cap/rotor. I'm certain the wires are connected correctly, and they all appear to be pushed on all the way. I'll check the connections again at both ends of the wires, but would faulty plug connections result in the symptoms I'm describing? Just want to make sure I'm on the right track. Thanks.

DW SD · 03-15-2010, 02:28 PM

stuck injectors or firing order is wrong.
In the future, I'd advise against making many changes at once (ideally). Next year, get it running and then change the cap / roto / wires. Just makes troubleshooting simpler.

I'd get out the 9V battery and cycle the injectors and see if you can hear them clicking.

Doug

zippy_gg · zippy_gg's Garage

Did you put new gas in the tank or is it gas that has been in there for a year? Or did you use Stabil or any gas stabilizer?

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

I'd almost bet on the injectors. They don't like to sit. You can try tapping gently on them with a screwdriver handle. You can also make a tester with a 9v battery-search here, it's been covered.

porschenut · 03-15-2010, 04:39 PM

The tank was taken out of the car so it was completely dry. I added 3 gallons of gas yesterday so it's fresh fuel.

I'll see if I can test the injectors using the battery method.

DW SD · 03-15-2010, 04:44 PM

You could always pull them and soak them in seafoam, too.

Doug

porschenut · 03-15-2010, 05:36 PM

Well, that was easy. The engine's running well now.

I think you guys were right about the injectors. First I double-checked the firing order at the distributor, and it was correct. But just to make sure I reseated each plug wire. Then I went around and gave a couple light raps on the injectors with a small hammer.

After that, she started right up and we're good to go. Thanks for the help!

Maybe running some seafoam through the engine isn't a bad idea. At the very least, some Techron.