starting/first gear issues

[pyrodork]

i've had this problem for about a week now. it's usually taking about 5 minutes to start and when it does, it often has problems in the first gear (under 20 mph... mostly under 10 mph) with hesitation and chugging. once it's going, it runs pretty normal and i can shut it off and have it start up right away.

i've exhausted my resources and my sanity trying to figure this out without spending $$$$$$ on a repair shop. it's weird that this problem just happened overnight. was fine one day for a 2-hour trip, then the next day, wouldnt start.

the other night, it took 45 minutes to start. it seemed like it just wasnt getting any fuel. then it would sound like it got some and tried to start, but needed a bit more to do it. some mechanic-type friends of mine that helped me start it suggested the throttle body. sparks seem to be okay, got a new battery and fuel filter the day after this all started happening. other ideas i've heard are fuel pump, spark plug wires, plugs, dist. cap, ignition coil...
i did find a loose spark plug and wire, and it was a little white and had some slight carbon deposits on it (plug number 1... front passenger side).

i've also been cleaning out the injectors with aeresol sea foam through the vacuum line. helps for a little while, but it always goes back to what it was after it's been sitting for awhile.


ANY ideas? i'm taking it in for a tune-up per recommendation anyway. thinking about getting the full-blown diagnostic test at firestone or whatnot. i know firestone is wayyyy too expensive, but i doubt tires plus has the same resources that they do.


thanks in advance!

 

[n8buddy]

my truck has similar problems. it will stall randomly anytime the engine is running (driving or idling) but only for a split second, and then will continue running normally. has been doing this for over 2 years, but has gotten worse recently. And now on cold mornings it will 'chug' when first started, especially when i floor it. Most people i ask think its the fuel pump, which seems to make sense. One method i have heard to see if it is the fuel pump that is the problem, next time it seems like it isn't getting any gas, hit the fuel tank a few times with a blunt object and try it again. supposedly get the pump working again for a bit.

 

[pyrodork]

any other way to check the condition of the fuel pump? ...without removing the gas tank?

 

[pyrodork]

replaced the distributor cap, rotor, and the 4 easiest-to-get-to plugs and wires. hopefully tackle the other two *****es today. i havent driven it much, but it sometimes seems to try to hesitate, then doesnt. however, the fuel pump still concerns me.

i replaced the distributor cap because of a crack i found by one of the screws. it was on the outside of the screw, so it wasnt causing a gap, but i figured i should replace it regardless. the wires, well... i figured, what the hell. the old ones appeared to be original (had 1993 stamped on them) and i could afford to do it now, so why not?

the fuel pump still concerns me... as it's been noted a few times by friends and that it's one heck of a job to do... especially in the snow. i've had slow acceleration for the 4 years i've had the truck, and i just replaced the fuel filter and i've been cleaning out every possible fuel system part i can think to, and it seems to be getting worse, if no better at all.
so again, is there any way to check the integrity of the fuel pump without taking the tank down?


thanks!

 

[n8buddy]

Got this from THIS site.

"First try and confirm that the pump is bad by listening carefully for the one second hum from the tank when you turn the key to the start position. Don't hear a thing? Well...., if you've really been living right you may want to try thumping or hitting the bottom of the fuel tank a couple of times with a large wrench or stick of wood. Don't overdo it - just tap 3 or 4 times on the tank and turn key to start again and listening for the pump hum."

other than that the only other way to test it was with an oscilloscope. Got one?

 

[pyrodork]

ugh. maybe i should have a buddy listen for it. i can only hear a click from the engine area, but maybe i'm just not hearing it with my door locks automatically locking.



replaced all the plugs and wires and it seems to run worse. on the test drive, i had sparks shooting out from the exhaust for a moment. the more gas i give it, the more it chokes... until it reaches 20-25mph, then it's usually fine. if i ease on the gas, it will slowly accelerate... but very slowly.


it was also suggested to check the fuel lines for blockage by disconnecting it at the carb (or throttle body, in this case), pumping the gas a few times into a rag, and checking to see if any sediment comes out with it.
personally, i have no idea how to do this.


still sound like the fuel pump?

 

[pyrodork]

fuel pump stopped on the way home from work today. ugh.

 

[pyrodork]

ha! turns out it was the ignitor/ignition coil. only about a grand in difference.

 

[Morania]

I was hoping to hear the end of your chugging saga with a fuel problem. Not that I want you to have a problem but I have a weird cold situation where the engine sounds like someone is holding a rag over the exhaust for a few seconds and then I get my power back and no problems for weeks on end.

Anyway...glad you have a quick, sorta cheap fix. I've always had coils tell on themselves after they heated up real good, though.