When I turn the key, the car cranks and cranks and cranks. If I give it a ton of gas, I've always been able to get it to start--it stumbles a lot, then finally "catches" after a minute. Sometimes, after that, it idles fine, but sometimes it will die if I let off the gas completely. In either case, once I start driving, it seems to be totally fine. It has not once stalled on me or even seemed like it was near stalling.

And this is a bit odd, but one time I went to start it, it clicked a couple of times for a brief second, then went into it's usual struggle. I noticed my clock had reset. At that point I thought the battery might have been contributing to the problem, so I had it tested. The verdict came back that it needed to be replaced, so I bought a new one. It didn't change anything.

CEL is not not on. Checked for codes anyway and there were none
Fuel pump IS coming on when I turn the key to II.
I've taken the main relay out and soldered any suspicious-looking joints. No change.

A couple of friends have suggested it might be the fuel filter, but I'm skeptical. I hear it's a major pain to replace on this engine, too. Not sure where to go from here. :/


Oh, and I'm not sure if it's related, but I've had problems with it overheating recently. I'm not stupid and I haven't driven it hot, but it's been climbing over the halfway mark and I'm losing fluid. I'll make a separate thread for this issue, so please don't address it here, I just wanted to make it known in case it's related (a remote possibility, I know).

 

If you have a blown headgasket and antifreeze is entering the combustion chamber, then unfortunately these issues you're having could be related. The spark plugs can get saturated in coolant and become hard to fire; that, along with lower combustion pressures and fuel mixing with coolant inthe cylinders makes for a tough mixture to ignite. How often are you adding coolant?

 

Should have mentioned that I changed all of the spark plugs and it didn't alter the situation. I've checked them since and they seem fine. I also checked the oil and it seemed fine as well (normal color), and I haven't had any smoke or unusual smells coming from my exhaust.

I'm pretty sure the coolant is leaking onto the engine and burning off. I can smell it when I get under the hood with the engine running. I've been topping it up about once a week (it hasn't gotten dangerously low, I don't think).

Today I went to check the resistance on the spark plug wires and discovered that one was completely corroded and messed up on the distributor end. Replaced the wires and cleaned the corrosion from the distributor cap and still no change. Also listened for the three relay clicks. Nothing amiss there.

 

So does this sound like a fuel filter problem or will I be wasting my time going down that path?

 

Science 1986 by pressing on accelerator pedal you only control the air supply the the engine(in cranking phase).So actually you are leaning out the mixture being introduced to the cylinders.If you are smelling the coolant from outside the car it's an external leak.(usually radiator).There could be different things causing a long cranking time but I would start by the basics.To start with what is the milage on your car?When the car is cold (during at least 8 hours) check the ECT sensor's temperature.You will need a scanner for it but that is a part finding problems.How is fuel pressure?How is timing ?How did the problem ocured ?Suddenly or over the period?

 

Yes, actually is does sound a fuel filter possibility to me. Especially if the pump is operating normally and you are obviously not getting fuel to start.

Certainly their could be other issues like the enrichment circuit that helps cold starts and sort of acts like a choke.

 

X2. Is it hard to start only when cold? Mine would start fine if it only sat for an hour or two but would miss badly for a few seconds if started cold, like sitting overnight cold. Head gasket was leaking but no other symptoms other than having to add coolant every 200 miles or so. Pressurize the cylinders to see if coolant pushes out of the radiator.

 

That's good info justin and roader. Sure sounds like what's going on with cameron's ride.

 

Thanks for clarifying, I wasn't sure if the leak you have was internal or external. Once it starts can you shut it off and immediately re-crank it without any trouble? Here's a thought: Try priming the fuel system before you start the engine. Before you start it turn the key to the on position and once the main relay clicks twice, turn the switch off and then right back on again. Once the relay clicks twice the second time start the engine. If you do that for a while without any trouble starting you probably have some injectors leaking down fuel and flooding the cylinders.