Car has 268,000 miles. Will not start at times. Usually always starts if I do not press gas pedal. Press pedal first and sometimes will not start. When this happens smell strange vapor (does not smell like gas) after cranking engine for several seconds. Replaced rotor while back. Thought resolved problem. Still doing it. Ignition coil? Any ideas??

Charlie Zachry

 

car most likely needs distributor

 

check your fuel pump relay , and don't press the gas when your cranking cause your gonna flood it. check to hear your fuel pump prime when you turn the key on.
you should hear a hhhmmmm ---clic. If you don't hear it then it won't start and most likely your fuel pump relay is going on the bum.

 

Mine has trouble starting when cold, like the starter is going out, but will start after a few seconds... but after running for a while it just won't start no matter how long it cranks over (fuel pump primes every time btw)
And the main thing is when it finally does start after it cools off, it behaves like it was having troible with the fuel-air mix, idles wildly for a bit then calms down... throws code 6 and 14 (6 usually means main relay, and 14 usually means Idle Air Control Valve needs cleaned (and Fast Idle Valve needs to be adjusted, thanks EricTheCarGuy!))

not to mentio. The timing belt is starting to squall now (new symptom)

but i did most all of that troubleshooting except clean the IACV

but i resoldered all solder points on my main relay, adjusted fast air control valve, even checked out the EGR plunger, and replaced the ignition coil and the little coolant temp sensor.

And the symptoms haven't changed one bit.

the problem is annoying as hell, i can't even go half a mile without planning to leave it parked for at least 20 minutes. Screws up my schedule somthing fierce.
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Help please!

I'll take any suggestions, probably will feel real stupid that i missed whatever it is, but will be glad to get this car reliable again.

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check for spark and fuel when its not starting

could be leaking head gasket due to warped head

compression test might be needed

 

Sounds just like my old chevette from the 1990's..vapor locked..