ok, i have an 88 camaro 2.8. its a rebuilt engine and im having a problem starting it. My car starts when it wants to. It runs great when it starts. This has been going on for about a month. It seems like its getting no spark. It cranks and cranks, but wont turn over. I replaced the coil, everything worked fine for a while, but it just started happening again. I brought it to a shop and it started everytime so they had no idea what was wrong. When it sits overnight, it starts up fine with no problem at all. But if i drive it and then shut the car off, no matter how long i drive for, it takes a while to get it started again. Sometimes it takes a couple minutes, sometimes a couple hours. the past two times it's done this, i got a jump and it started right up. so i changed the battery and it still did this. so i have no idea whats wrong. im really clueless. The fuel pump turns on, cranks fine, just seems like there is no spark. i really need help with this, its my daily driver, and i need to take it back to school. thanks guys.

Chris

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88 Camaro
Rebuilt 2.8
T-TOPS
Flowmaster 80 series
Custom stereo system

 

Do you smell fuel when it won't start? Do you get any error codes? Have you tried reading the spark plugs for any fuel problems?

 

i do smell fuel when i am trying to start it and i do get codes. i checked one of the plugs and it looks alright. im not sure what to do. thanks.

Chris

 

What codes are you getting? It sounds like you aren't getting fire, or at least not in the right order. Pull a plug and re-attach the wire to it. Hold it (with a pair of insulated pliers) with the tip touching a ground inside the engine compartment while someone cranks the starter. If you see a spark you're getting fire. Double check the firing order with how the wires are hooked up. If your wires are correct and you're getting fire, it has to be the timing. Adjust it slowly between attempts to start. You can set it once you get the engine started (Be sure the computer plug is not hooked up when setting the timing).

 

Well it did it to me again tonight. But this time after 4 hours, i just left it and walked home. I tried getting a jump and that didnt work. Ill have to check the plugs tomorrow when i go back to get it. i thought about the timing being off, but i can usually get it to start. this is getting very frustrating. thanks for the help.

Chris

 

Is the starter old ore new? When you try to start the car after you have driven it, does the starter engage?

 

I'd pull all the plugs and inspect them http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html . While they're out, a compression test wouldn't hurt. All cylinders should be within 10# of each other. The plugs should tell the story.

 

The starter is not new, but it engages and it cranks and cranks and cranks. This only happens when its warm. Ill have to check the plugs to see how they are. i put new ones in when i got the rebuilt engine and it's only been a couple thousand miles.

Chris