Sobear

I just purchesed an 88 non-turbo FC. It doesn't run. Yah. -.- Anyways.. the guy I'm buying it from said it started shaking one day, and he heard a pop from the engine. My assumption without digging around is an engine transplant. Please, someone tell me otherwise.

Cosmo Donk

Search and do a compression check. Even though the engine is cold and you will not get the correct readings you will be able to tell how badly it may be blown. You can even hand crank the engine and do it. Just pull the front leading plug and rotate the front bolt with a wrench. You should hear 3 swooshes. Then do the same with the rear leading.

You can even do an easier test by pulling the EGI fuse and crank the engine. You should hear nice pulses from the exhaust.

Sobear

Ok, we heard nice pulses from the exhaust.. I changed the spark plugs, and the battery. It cranks, but won't start. We're seriously running out of ideas. We're thinking maybe the cat convertor got clogged, because my girlfriend's dad's Cougar was acting the same way and that was what was wrong with his. I crawled under, and removed the cover, and the cat's are rusted, and groddy. So yeah..

OH! And by-the-by, I got the car delivered to my house Saturday. She's so pretty. I can't wait to get pics of her and get them on the net.

Cosmo Donk

Yah, clogged cat can stop it from starting. Also make sure you are getting fuel and spark and that the plugs are nice and clean.

Sobear

Thanks. Well, the good news is I got it to almost start last night, but it started raining. I was doing what was recommended for a flooded engine, and it was like it was slowly working. But I am removing the exhaust to take a look at it today, hopefully the problem is visible.

Sponge Bob Square Pants

How long since it was last running?

Sobear

About 5 weeks. And I know it's probably not the cat's now, because me and a friend disconnected the exhaust from the exhaust flange and it started up, kind of. I had to use the "flooded" engine technique (cranking it twice with the accelerator floored, then pulling the egi fuse, etc.). But since the exhaust wasn't hooked up, it was to fricken noisy. So I killed it after 10 seconds.

We reinstalled the exhaust, and tried it again, hoping it would crank right over. Wrong. Back to the flooded engine technique. It worked. I got out and let it run, but it died after about 30 seconds. It hit a high idle of like 2-3k, then when it went to go down to normal idle, it died. We're thinking maybe it's running to rich, or I'm thinking it might be the fuel injectors. But I'm really stuck. I'm giving it a break for a few days, because I've been working my @$$ off for the last week, nearly, trying to get her to start. But I'm clear out of ideas. My girlfriend's dad suggested the fuel sensor.

Any other suggestions guys? o.O

Cosmo Donk

Yah, clean the injectors, clean the plugs, next time you get it to start hold it running with your foot and see if you can keep it running. If you can maybe there is a vacuum leak causing the car to die when the idle drops.

I doubt it is any kind of a fuel sensor problem.

Sobear

Ok, update...

I can keep the car running now, I even took it aroaund the block, even though it died a few times. But like before, it won't idle. I take that back, it did ONCE. The time I took it around the block. We're still thinking it's the exhaust, maybe clogged. So I went and priced the exhaust I want (419 bucks, the APEXi N1 series catback), and priced installation with a new cat at a local muffler shop. It's going to run me roughly 600 bucks, so if this is the problem, which I hope it isn't, it will be awhile until it's running. So you think it might be a vacum hose? I can see the logic there, and I'll take another look at it tommarow or the day after. Hopefully something minor will turn up that's the problem.

flight_of_pain

you could always gut the cats to get it running if they are clogged.(not sure about emissions where you live?)


isaac

Sponge Bob Square Pants

Before you make a big jump and purchase a new performance exhaust system (especially an expensive name brand one) get the engine running well.
Even after that, you need to assess (sp?) what modifications you plan in the near future for the engine so that you can purchase an exhaust system the exact proper size and with the components you want.

Do you even want to put a new cat in it? Some places you can get away with it (if emissions regulations and checks are slack or non-existant). Either way, get ride of the stock one and replace it with a pipe or a high performance straight through single chamber unit.

Next time you get it running, give it some good revs. Take it pretty high - clean out any old carbon that's built up inside your engine.

Sobear

I do start it daily. And I rev it past 6K each time. I have people saying it might be the fuel filter now, so I priced it at the local parts store, and will probably be able to pick one up this Friday.

As for the emissions, I'm in Ok, so there are no emmisions tests here. I want the N1 system (muffler at least), because I simply love the style of the muffler. Eventually, I'll either buy a TII engine, rebuild it and swap it in, or just rebuild an NA engine, and put it in after a bridgeport. I'm looking for close to 300 HP.

Sobear

Bump..
any other ideas or hints? It sits at 2K and when it tries to drop below that it sputters and dies.. Thanks, guys.