spoolingrl

Ok, I searched and read up all I could on this...but I am wondering, where do I start to diagnose my problem? I have a '90 n/a...and it almost never fails when i shut it off at normal running temps, it will flood and I can't start it back up until after it cools off. I thought at first it was just bad plugs, so I changed them (the old ones looked disgusting, so it needed it anyway) but it did not help.

It seems as if alot of the FC's have the hot starting problem, but why are there so many different answers to fixing it and which one is most common?

Is it:

1-needing the injectors cleaned
2-low compression (i read in one thread, hope that's not the case with mine!)
3-just pull the egi fuse and crank, or on s5's, put the pedal to the floor and crank
4-installing the fuel-cut switch

Could it be an o2 sensor starting to go bad, or is it just normal?

Also, when cold starting, it seems to run strange at first, then reek of fuel and pour white smoke out the exhaust....then the smoke clears, and it runs fine...doesn't smoke at all after initial start up. It's like it's choking on fuel.

Any suggestions on where to start diagnosing and fixing this annoyance?

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

1 and 2 are likely possibilities, 3 is a remedy. Generally it's best to just go to a mazda dealer, get a compression check (if they have the tool), then go from there.

spoolingrl

I can do a compression check myself. That might be something to work on this weekend. Thanks.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, but a mazda ones usually a bit more accurate for all the chambers.

Amur_

Yeah, but she should be fine with a rough idea, rather than having to go and wrangle with a dealership...


And since she has an s5, shouldn't she be able to floor the gas pedal while cranking to get the ECU to cut off the fuel, so she doesn't have to pull those fuses?



It is choking on fuel.

Has your 7 always been like this, or is it a recent development?

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

That's also a common issue with coolant seals (though a lot less likely, but makes sense for white smoke), do a compression check AND a coolant pressure check.

spoolingrl

I just picked up the car a week ago tomorrow, so I am still learning it FC style. I've only known FD's up to this point, so this is somewhat new to me. The FD my fiance had never had the hot start problem, but it had the deal where if it didn't warm up fully it would flood...but that wasn't as much hassle as this is. If it's coolant seals are shot, i'm gonna be one pissed bitch.

Anyway, I've never gone to a dealership for anything...i've always been able to do **** myself (or at least make a valiant attempt) and have my fiance and friends help me. I feel like the dealerships will try to rip me off for some reason since i'm female...i dunno, more paranoia I guess.

I can push the pedal to the floor and crank it, but it doesn't always work. Maybe I'm impatient, but i just say **** it and take my motorcycle instead.

I believe it has that cold start whatever it is that shoots coolant into the motor at start up or some crap like that, and i assume that's part of what the smoking is from. I would figure if it were a problem with the coolant seals, then it would drink coolant (which it does not) and it would smoke all the time, rather than just at start up.

I dunno...Maybe we can figure out something tomorrow...I'm hittin up a friend to help work on the 6 ports and gettin them to work. We'll see.

Thanks for the help guys!

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Ah, well, that's what mine did for a while when it was bad seals, never leaked enough to notice until like a month later, but *shrug* It's always nice to know! You can rent a regular coolant pressure tester at most auto stores. Other than that, you know everything else to do now.

Amur_

Reasonable paranoia.



If that system is in there, I'd suggest removing it (unless you're someone who's particular about keeping things stock.) It doesn't really do anything, and removing it makes for less clutter.
And that system wouldn't/shouldn't inject enough coolant to produce any smoke. It's supposed to spit in a teeny bit of coolant (which is a lubricant) to let the rotors spinning a little bit more easily when you first crank the car. Think of it as a cheat to help start the engine. Except that now, after 15 years, those systems are commonly not working anymore. The FSM should tell you how to check it it's working, if you want to know that...




Smoking at start-up is another symptom. But not 'smoking all the time.' At least, not usually... The easiest way to what is responsible for that white cloud is to jump out of the car, run over and smell it. You'll instantly know if it's b/c of gas, coolant or if it's just a whole lotta vapour/steam from moisture.

Good luck! Let us know what you find.

spoolingrl

It's definately fuel...I don't have to even get out of the car to smell it. It reeks that bad! Oh well, rainy today so not gonna work on it. Maybe next weekend. Oh well, I'll keep the thread updated when i get more news.

spoolingrl

Ok, so my car apparently fixed its self (knock on wood). Weird **** I tell you. For the last few days, I've had absolutely NO problems at all out of it. I can turn it off, let it sit for a few minutes while I go in the store or whatever, and get back in and she fires right up without hesitation now. I love owning a car with so much personality and attitude.