87 S4 now cranks, sparks, seems to get fuel but wont start or even cough...

artikulieren · 08-09-2008, 07:06 PM

well, after taking the 87 to the gas station yesterday for a fillup I drove her home and she sat over night and now wont start (hmm). The car cranks, has spark, seems to be getting at least some fuel to the cyls (plugs coming out wet after cranking) but not so much as a cough or stutter. Any ideas? She continued to run rough yesterday after the fillup, no real change except that the exhaust smelled better than with the old rancid gas. I think it is def. time for a fuel filter at the least, I'm debating checking the fuel pump operation as well although I doubt the fuel pump is at fault. I didn't care for the method detailed in the factory service manual for checking fuel pump function as I thought it was a bit rudimentary (filling a measuring cup!?) I floored the it a couple of times coming home from the gas station and besides the misfiring it pulled strong to redline so I don't think starvation is the issue at all, if anything it is running rich as I've stated. I spent some time trying to get the MAF plug off, god is that in an awful place. Is there a trick to unplugging that, like is there a clip that needs to be manipulated or whatnot? or is it just stuck on from 21 years of not being disconnected? As always opinions and advice are so very welcome.

Danglerb · 08-09-2008, 07:33 PM

All of the connectors have a wire clip that you need to lift up with a pick etc. Don't lose the clip After you have done a couple it gets a LOT easier. The wire is in a C shape, so sometime I use a pick to push the ends of the wire up out of the groove so the wire end sits on the side of connector instead of the front.

Nothing quite like the fun you get from running $75 worth of bad gas through the motor instead of draining out and disposing of it.

Biggest mistake I made on my first car.

Leaky injector might be giving it too much gas, does the exhaust smell of gas after cranking?

I think I would check the pressure on the fuel rails next. Summit actually has a little gauge I am thinking of putting on the rail permanently.

Trouble with a big V8 is that it can be pretty messed up and still pull hard to redline.

artikulieren · 08-10-2008, 07:57 AM

yeah, I realize I really blew by it running any of that damn gas that was in it (less than 1/4 tank) I did put 'sea foam' treatment in before starting it as per a friends advice who races 87-93 Mustangs. I found the stuff to be highly suspect, to be honest, but I can't undo what I've done, just have to work through it. Thanks for the advice about the MAF connector plug! I'm debating draining and disgarding the entire contents of the gas tank, including the $50 I dumped into it the other day. Is there a tried and true method to drain the tank safely and non-messily? I have to watch it as I live in a 'nice' neighborhood in Chicago and the car isn't currently in my garage, it is on my parking pad in my back yard (nosed in so I'll be in perfect view of anyone looking in the alley). The last thing I need to do is dump gas all over the place and get the police called on me swiftly, yikes! Thanks again for all the advice.