Issues NEED some help/advice!! Starting issues!

spede18

91 DX D15B

I was having some issues with my temperature gauge and radiator.
The radiator went out on me a few days ago and got a new one and swapped it out and thermostat.
Afterwords everything seamed fine but after the car got warmed up if I let it sit for about 5-10 min it was difficult to start.
I can get it to fire up but have to give it gas and it will sputter to a start and then seam to drive fine.
I have been trying to figure out what it could be the past few days spent some time looking at things like the plugs but now it seams it is hard to start all the time. Radiator has been bled and no issues there. Temp gauge is working fine now that I plugged it in all the way it was loose before.

The dizzy is new and the plug wires are new.
Here are some pics of the plugs:
Here are the plugs first one is closest to the dizzy the one on right is second plug from dizzy.
The rest of them looked similar to the one on the right no real deposits but a little brownish tint to them.


Something to take note of is the wagon does burn a lot of oil.
It did get a bit hot the other day when radiator blew but dont think it was to bad but could be wrong.

Here is a pic of the ect wires which I was trying to fix but they broke off.
ECT wires were frayed and temp sensor was not working.

In process of getting to temp sensor and removing the ECT connector it broke off at the base so I took it apart and wired in some new wires but not sure it is making good contact because now I have a check engine light on.

I am going to do some more tests this weekend if I can find some time and maybe try to narrow it down some more.
I have been trying to research as much as I can but it could be so many things I am not really sure where to start.

Main relay?
PCV valve?
Plugs?
Bad injector?
Someone recommended doing a seafoam cleaning?

I am leaning towards the ECT being bad because the wires were frayed and think it was getting bad signal.
Figure may as well replace it but need to get a new connector at salvage yard first.
Any help or advice on what it can be would be appreciated!!!
Trying to get my daily back up and running without having to worry if its going to start or not!!

mtbikerTi

First I would fix your sensors. If the problem continues try bleeding your cooling system.

spede18

Yeah thats my priority this week gotta find a new connector for the ECT hopefully at the salvage yard.
The coolant system has been bleed multiple times so I am sure that is good to go.

JayTee

I have a similar problem with the hard start while warm. Ive noticed if I prime the fuel twice it will start. I always figured it was one of the injectors with the lame DPFI.



What code is the ECU throwing?

spede18

Have not checked the code but I am almost 100% sure it is the ECT because I cut the wires since they were already frayed and thats when it threw the light on.
Then I disconnected the negative terminal over night and rewired the ECT connector plugged it back in and light was still on.
Basically I rigged the connector so it would connect for now so I could drive it until I can find a new one but code is still on so think what I did either didn't work or it did work and the sensor is bad now that it has complete connection. I had to take out the black wax stuff to get access to the wires and soldered on some new ones but not sure I got the wire connectors all the way forward on the connector when reinstalling them.

Before it was hanging on by a few threads of the wires def not making full contact.
Figured for $25 for a new sensor not that bad and old one might still be ok and have a backup once I get a new connector.

It is doing the same thing now that the code is on where it doesn't want to start no matter if it is cold or warmed up so this makes me think the sensor was the issue or at least part of it and on its way out or the connection was not completely registering properly.

spede18

Got the plastic connector for the ECT today at the salvage yard I am planning to swap out the sensor and wires tomorrow fingers crossed everything is back to working properly!

spede18

Well got the connector wired in and swapped out the ECT sensor.
Seams to be starting better I took it for a short spin but it was getting late so will have to take if for a longer drive tomorrow and get it more warmed up and see if it has trouble starting but seams to be fixed for the most part now. I am planning to possibly throw some sea foam or other fuel injector / engine cleaner through the system since I am burning so much oil can't be good on the engine internals.

spede18

So wagon is back to driving but still having starting issues.
Today drove to get groceries and was shopping for about half hour and took a bit to get it started.
Again I can get it to start but have to press on the gas for about a minute or it will die.

Anyone have any ideas what else could be causing this?
When I do get it started its blowing smoke till I get driving for a bit then it stops.
Just like in morning start it up no smoke till warms up for a few minutes then starts smoking??
Goes away after about 5min of driving.

driftin90

did you get this solved? you going to make it to the meet?

spede18

I'll be there but no I didn't get the starting issue solved. It still doesn't like to start sometimes. Especially when warmed up and left for a few minutes.

spede18

Well guys looks like the starting issue could be due to 1 valve seals leaking and 2 found out today I am burning coolant as it has been low the past few days and had to top off and is smoking more then it has been while driving. Starting has been hard cold or warm and always puffs out a lot of smoke and have to give it gas to get it to idle properly. So looks like I will def be redoing the entire head ASAP! Hopefully this fixes things.
Check by build thread for status reports..

91RT4WD

Could it be bad compression? you did mention about replacing your radiator, did you over heat at one point. Check your compression. obviously the motor cranks over...

JayTee

If I remember correctly, he said it was around 170 on all cylinders. But if oil is in the cylinder that can give you a false reading.

Spede, if you need a head to work on let me know. I have two just laying around. That way you still have something to drive.

spede18

From what i was told the cylinders were all 170 or pretty close.
I have not personally checked.
I very highly doubt it is the cylinders.

Appreciate the Jay I am driving my 94 hatch for now and have the wagon parked until I can get a chance to work on it.
I do not trust myself to do the work but have had a couple guys offer to help me out with it in the next couple weeks so hopefully can make it happen and get it up and running again ASAP!

spede18

Check out my build thread for status on this.
Confirmed leaking head gasket today by taking off the valve cover.
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