Quick history, I bought this car a month ago at an auction where it was driven over the block and ran fine. Didnt bring enough money for it didnt sell, then the next week it wouldnt start, again tried to sell it off block and didnt bring enough money. I was lucky enough to win it the third week with a minimal bid. 1999, VDP, 103K

Upon it arriving I juiced up the battery and cracked it over, it cranks fine and acts like it wants to start but doesnt. I dont have a ton of tools to check it with but the tach moves upon cranking, I sprayed a little starting fluid in it and it did nothing more per say. I removed the first 2 plugs on the drivers side and they were pretty wet with fuel. I dried them and put them back in.

My deduction is its getting fuel....I pulled the 1 plug again and it was soaking wet. I then wiped it dry put the coil cap on it and cranked the car to look for spark and there was so its getting spark.

Thoughts ?

 

Cylinder wash, leads to zero compression. Adding a teaspoon of oil down each of the bores and replacing dry sparkplugs will get it started.

Hold the gas pedal to the floor when cranking initially as this cuts the fuel. A squirt of eze start into the throttle body may also help.

Classic issue with this vintage if left standing.
Hope this helps

 

Thanks Sean but here is an update...... cleaned the plugs like new, let the car sit (its 78 out) and dry out, re installed the plugs and now all it does it crank with no hit at all of wanting to fire. I shot a little starter fluid down the throttle body but it did nothing tough it might have dried up before ever getting to the cylinders. Then I pulled the #1 plug again and its dry as a bone. Now im wondering if its getting fuel. Tank does read between 1/4 and 1/2. I checked all the fuses for every thing and they are fine.

Fuel pump maybe ?

**** Update, I just got through trying the oil in the cylinder method and still nothing but cranking. I guess I need to by a fuel preasure tester and check that. Only thing I cant do with my hand full of tools.

 

No fuel or spark you will get no start. See if this link helps Nikasil No Start Cylinder Washing

 

I did try the cylinder wash and still didnt start. I will get a pressure gauge and compression tester tomorrow (friday) and check some more things. Funny thing is the car ran fine one week and then nothing. The plugs were absolutely soaked when I removed them which means it was probably still wet from the auction. I checked every plug, fuse, even tried to start it in P@N but nothing. It does crank harder (just deeper sound) with the plugs in it then when I cranked it with the plugs out (free of compression). I will post more when I know more.

 

Check for spark! My 99 blew a fuse for ignition and the ignition coil relay. It was caused by a bad plug coil.