Hard starting and more
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 9:11 pm
I tried searching and couldnt find anything that fit my exact situation, so heres the problems
For starters, its a 92 awd astro, tcase is jacked up so its technically 2wd. Roughly 154k, ive had it less than a month. Recently ive had the exhaust and muffler replaces from behind the cat (rusted pipe prevented it from passing inspection), new fuel filter, autolite plugs, and air filter. Oil change coming soon.
Problem 1: When i bought it, she was pretty sluggish. But ran well. After failing inspection, I had the exhaust fixed. Oddly, thats when it became hard to start. It literally turns over for a good 30 secs before it starts. Sometimes I haveto actually pump the accelerator a few times before it starts. Doing this method also leads to a big puff of grey smoke/unburnt fuel out the exhaust and a roughly, sputtering idle for about 30 secs until it straightens out. After changing the fuel filter, it started once on the first turn. Every time after, it takes forever.
Problem 2: This has happened a few times, but sporadic. Twice it was below 1/4 tank, so I thought it was from an overheating fuel pump. But its happened a couple times with over a half tank. At random, the service engine light comes on and the van starts bucking when I come to a stop. Acting like its going to die, then idling up. When I take off, it does fine. The last time it happened I ran the codes and got a 32.
Problem 3: After a basic tune up, it ran smoother but still hard to start. At the same time, i capped off a few broken vac lines including the back of the intake that went to the cruise and something else (line was broken). Power seems to have picked up but gas mileage is still crappy (est roughly 12mpg). I was on the highway heading to work and went to speed up to pass a car. When it kicked down, it literaly acted like it went into neutral for a second then grinded pretty hard before snapping into gear. Immeadiately the service engine light came on. When I got to work, checked the codes, still only 32.
I havent yet checked the egr, but its on my list when I do an oil change. The battery seems weak at times and other times it sounds like new, spinning quickly.
Basically im just looking for some pointing in the right direction so I dont spend a grand replacing parts that arent broken. Im thinking the cat could be faulty for starters. To check it I figure I can unbolt it and punch the screens out to see if that helps. Its illegal to sell them for scrap here now (unless you have a dealer license) so no worries on killing the value.
On a side note, during the tune up I popped out the mechanismon top of the intake mani (round black plastic, held on with torx head bolts). Looks like sone type of valve? I could spin it about a 1/4 turn freely. I check the plug running to it with a test light and got no juice. What is this and its purpose? Waiting on a haynes manual from ebay.
For starters, its a 92 awd astro, tcase is jacked up so its technically 2wd. Roughly 154k, ive had it less than a month. Recently ive had the exhaust and muffler replaces from behind the cat (rusted pipe prevented it from passing inspection), new fuel filter, autolite plugs, and air filter. Oil change coming soon.
Problem 1: When i bought it, she was pretty sluggish. But ran well. After failing inspection, I had the exhaust fixed. Oddly, thats when it became hard to start. It literally turns over for a good 30 secs before it starts. Sometimes I haveto actually pump the accelerator a few times before it starts. Doing this method also leads to a big puff of grey smoke/unburnt fuel out the exhaust and a roughly, sputtering idle for about 30 secs until it straightens out. After changing the fuel filter, it started once on the first turn. Every time after, it takes forever.
Problem 2: This has happened a few times, but sporadic. Twice it was below 1/4 tank, so I thought it was from an overheating fuel pump. But its happened a couple times with over a half tank. At random, the service engine light comes on and the van starts bucking when I come to a stop. Acting like its going to die, then idling up. When I take off, it does fine. The last time it happened I ran the codes and got a 32.
Problem 3: After a basic tune up, it ran smoother but still hard to start. At the same time, i capped off a few broken vac lines including the back of the intake that went to the cruise and something else (line was broken). Power seems to have picked up but gas mileage is still crappy (est roughly 12mpg). I was on the highway heading to work and went to speed up to pass a car. When it kicked down, it literaly acted like it went into neutral for a second then grinded pretty hard before snapping into gear. Immeadiately the service engine light came on. When I got to work, checked the codes, still only 32.
I havent yet checked the egr, but its on my list when I do an oil change. The battery seems weak at times and other times it sounds like new, spinning quickly.
Basically im just looking for some pointing in the right direction so I dont spend a grand replacing parts that arent broken. Im thinking the cat could be faulty for starters. To check it I figure I can unbolt it and punch the screens out to see if that helps. Its illegal to sell them for scrap here now (unless you have a dealer license) so no worries on killing the value.
On a side note, during the tune up I popped out the mechanismon top of the intake mani (round black plastic, held on with torx head bolts). Looks like sone type of valve? I could spin it about a 1/4 turn freely. I check the plug running to it with a test light and got no juice. What is this and its purpose? Waiting on a haynes manual from ebay.