Thanks for the advise jc, I'm going to see this one thru. I had no problems with this van or it's twin for many years. The good news is I don't need it as an everyday driver.
Thanks,
Frank D
Thanks,
Frank D
Can't seem to resolve this problem..please advise
- Thread starter demarpaint
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I have read though the posts over the last several weeks - wow, this is a tough problem! I am not a mechanic nor the son of a mechanic, but several things crossed my mind:
1) Are you sure that the exhaust system is not blocked? For example, sometimes a piece inside the muffler can collapse and greatly increase backpressure, making it hard to start.
2) You have stated that the injectors are OK. How do you know that they are spraying properly? Have you pulled them and observed the spray pattern? (I had a bad injector on a VW that just about drove me nuts until I found it. I was chasing all sorts of electrical & fuel system checks...).
1) Are you sure that the exhaust system is not blocked? For example, sometimes a piece inside the muffler can collapse and greatly increase backpressure, making it hard to start.
2) You have stated that the injectors are OK. How do you know that they are spraying properly? Have you pulled them and observed the spray pattern? (I had a bad injector on a VW that just about drove me nuts until I found it. I was chasing all sorts of electrical & fuel system checks...).
Thanks SWS: Exhaust system is about 1 year old, no blockage there.
The two different mechanics I had the van to told me it was "definitely" not the fuel injectors. It runs too good once its going, idle smooth and strong. One said he checked the injectors as well so I am holding on hoping he's right and did check them and is not BSing me. Once a year, I hook up a hose to the Schrader valve on the Fuel rail and clean the injectors with a 3M product designed for cleaning Fuel Injectors via the rail.
Update: Over the weekend I had removed the EGR valve and blocked it up using the process of elimination, to check the EGR valve out again. I made a blocking plate to render it useless. When I put it all together for a second time, it started stalled once and ran fine. I am thinking there could have been something in the EGR valve diaphragm causing vacuum problems because when I sprayed carb cleaner at the EGR diaphragm engine RPM increased by about 200 RPM. This was before I blocked it up the second time. Maybe the removal to block it up and reinstalling it again knocked something out of it. It is no longer increasing RPM when sprayed. I am wondering why?
I now have my timing light back, and plan on checking base timing tomorrow, and timing with the SPOUT connected as well. It's been sitting since Sunday so tomorrows cold start should be interesting. I plan on spraying carb cleaner at the back of the EGR valve again and seeing what happens as well.
I will update, all comments and help is appreciated!
Frank D
The two different mechanics I had the van to told me it was "definitely" not the fuel injectors. It runs too good once its going, idle smooth and strong. One said he checked the injectors as well so I am holding on hoping he's right and did check them and is not BSing me. Once a year, I hook up a hose to the Schrader valve on the Fuel rail and clean the injectors with a 3M product designed for cleaning Fuel Injectors via the rail.
Update: Over the weekend I had removed the EGR valve and blocked it up using the process of elimination, to check the EGR valve out again. I made a blocking plate to render it useless. When I put it all together for a second time, it started stalled once and ran fine. I am thinking there could have been something in the EGR valve diaphragm causing vacuum problems because when I sprayed carb cleaner at the EGR diaphragm engine RPM increased by about 200 RPM. This was before I blocked it up the second time. Maybe the removal to block it up and reinstalling it again knocked something out of it. It is no longer increasing RPM when sprayed. I am wondering why?
I now have my timing light back, and plan on checking base timing tomorrow, and timing with the SPOUT connected as well. It's been sitting since Sunday so tomorrows cold start should be interesting. I plan on spraying carb cleaner at the back of the EGR valve again and seeing what happens as well.
I will update, all comments and help is appreciated!
Frank D
I'm going to be selling my '87 4.9L within the next month or two. Frank- find a friend up your way to buy it, then you can use it as a reference.
I did a final search for vacuum leaks today again, and found the EGR to be leaking vacuum around the diaphragm again. Sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't. I've tested it hot and cold. I replaced it today, no vacuum leaks with the new one. Base ignition timing was 1* above the mark the shop manual calls for. I adjusted it, seems to run about the same, starts once then stalls and runs fine now.
I decided to disconnect the battery again so it could "re-learn", with the timing adjusted. Started and ran fine, I took it for about a 45 minute drive and it seems OK.
Will let it sit a few days, since I won't be able to drive it for a while anyway.
Thanks for everyone's help, hopefully I am done with it
Frank D
I decided to disconnect the battery again so it could "re-learn", with the timing adjusted. Started and ran fine, I took it for about a 45 minute drive and it seems OK.
Will let it sit a few days, since I won't be able to drive it for a while anyway.
Thanks for everyone's help, hopefully I am done with it
Frank D
Well its been a little over a month now, and the van is running fine. Start stall issue resolved, lack of power when cold resolved.
Thanks for all the great info!
Frank D
Thanks for all the great info!
Frank D
I'm having a hard time reading through the bulk ...what was the final issue that fixed your issue? Vacuum leak? Computer reset?
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