Out of the blue, startup/richness issues...
After two years of predictable starting/running from this car, we've suddenly got an issue with fuel mix especially at startup.
Before I get too far into that, let me say we've been converting the A/C down to manual control and have run into several vacuum leaks. We've got one now at the heater core blend door, but I don't *think* that's what is causing this issue. Anyway, on startup now, you get slammed with this overwhelming raw fuel smell that slowly turns to that sickening half-burnt fuel smell. Both tailpipes eject whitish-gray smoke (but not all the time) and the exhaust reeks of raw/unburnt gasoline (but not antifreeze -- I don't think this is a head gasket issue). It's hard to get the car to start or idle. It coughs, sputters and dies a lot. But once you get it to hold an idle for a couple of seconds, everything is perfect from an idling/driving standpoint. It holds idle, and runs down the road just fine. Accelerates fine, doesn't buck, doesn't throw smoke out the back. And more importantly, after a couple of minutes, you don't smell the gas smell nearly as bad. Is this something as simple as ... a tune-up issue? Bad plugs or wires? The color of the smoke on cold start-up is worrisome, as it portends a head gasket or valve seal issue, but there is no evidence of water vapor in the exhaust, no mixing of water/oil anywhere in the engine or radiator, and no overheating from a the engine pressurizing the coolant flow. Until now, for the last 2-3 years, here was my morning routine: Turn the ignition key and let the engine spin fruitlessly for about 10 seconds. Rotate the key off, then on again and it started instantly on the second try. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Regardless of outside temperature. Now? The engine sounds like it's turning over/spinning at twice the speed. Sort of like when you replace a sour battery with a new one, how the starter seems to turn the engine more quickly. Except now, it takes 5-10 attempts to get it to start, catch and then idle. Once running, though, she's the same old car. Jess |
"Turn the ignition key and let the engine spin fruitlessly for about 10 seconds".
spin the engine or do you mean the fuel pump? otherwise, how do you do that? |
Originally Posted by Jose
(Post 2018975)
"Turn the ignition key and let the engine spin fruitlessly for about 10 seconds".
spin the engine or do you mean the fuel pump? otherwise, how do you do that? That doesn't work anymore, though, now that we've got this pig-rich situation on our hands. Jess |
A couple thought starters......
XJ6 Series - EFI Rich Mixture XJ 6 Series III 4.2 - Cold Start EFI Overfuelling Cheers DD |
Remove the air cleaner and cranl...
|
Originally Posted by JagCad
(Post 2019236)
Remove the air cleaner and cranl...
I'm kind of eyeing that flexible fabric-looking hose that connects to the air filter. Can rips/tears in it cause this? What it's most acting like on startup is either a bad spark plug, or unmetered air getting into the system, but those problems shouldn't go away after it starts up. We've recently replaced the cold-start injector relay and I *think* we replaced the coolant temp switch as well, but I'm not 100% certain on the latter. Jess |
Originally Posted by JessN16
(Post 2019250)
I'm kind of eyeing that flexible fabric-looking hose that connects to the air filter. Can rips/tears in it cause this? What it's most acting like on startup is either a bad spark plug, or unmetered air getting into the system, but those problems shouldn't go away after it starts up. Cheers DD |
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