Hey guys, I have a stock 2.8l 1986 Camaro that has a bit of trouble with the first start of the day. This is a problem that comes and goes, showing up in the winter, and disappearing in the summer. Which is weird only because where I live has little to no seasons. Anyway, the car turns over, when I pop the hood I found upon trial and error if I push in the wires leading into the ignition control module I could get the car to start up no problem. Then a week ago this no longer worked, I was able to get the car to start by putting a little gas into the throttle body but Im looking for the source of the problem. I have had to replace the ignition control module before, Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

did you replace it with an aftermarket unit? could have gone bad again
if putting gas into the tb got it to start could also be a fueling issue, maybe try some injector cleaner

 

Sounds like its a fuel problem to me... Could be the pump starting to go out, causing a hard start.

 

Yea im pretty sure its a fuel problem, its only the first start of the day, once I get it going its running fine all day long. I got a good mechanic I think Ima just pay the 85 for a good diagnostic see what else they find.

 

Hey guys just checking back, I took my car to the shop just to put it on the rack and get a full diagnostic, apparently I have a dirty/broken fuel injector and so I now im trying to figure out how to best handle the problem. The shop wants 175 for a the test to find which fuel injector is dirty, which is a big hit to me right now, do you think its possible to just by some fuel injector cleaner for now and hope I get lucky? I may have to sell the car and I could use the money on other things, I can get the car to start it just takes some time.
Also smaller side note I also was told I have a small leak in my water pump, is that something fairly simple that I can do at home? I do not have a car jack.

Thanks alot

 

On the 305 the water pump is an easy 4 bolts reachable though the top. Takes all of 15 minutes. Not sure about the 2.8 though.

 

I'm not sure about 2.8s but on the V8 TPI engines, the fuel injectors are exposed (I think you have to remove the intake plenum to reach em on the 2.8, I might be wrong) so you can easily take an electrical meter and measure the electrical resistance in each injector. I don't know the numbers that are considered "within spec" though.

 

Are they going to take all the injectors off, test, and clean them all on an injector machine for that price? If so, that's not too bad.

 

That would be just the time to take the car apart enough where they could test each one individually. Then if I wanted to replace the fuel injectors I figure I might as well replace them all, I see thats another 160 for the injectors (God do i miss my old job at NAPA auto parts) if i buy them myself and then whatever for the labor, Im not really comfortable doing the work myself to be honest.
Also you guys might find this interesting, I had a shop here in SF tell me they wanted 260 for the water pump another 220 for the labor, I quickly hit kragen/O Riley got a remanufactured one for 17 bucks, im undecided about letting the shop install it for 200 bucks or trying to do it myself.

True definition of knowledge is power, I wish i was more mechanically inclined.

Anyway my general plan is to to replace the water pump, use some different injector cleaners and see if it works itself out, worse case I will replace the injectors.

Its funny to because I really thought me messing around with the ignition control wires was doing something, but my mechanic says no.

 

Huge hike in prices. It should take 15 20 min to change the water pump. I just bought a brand new water pump at Advance Auto parts for $30. They are running a special of 10% off radiator hoses w/ purchase of new water pump. And I had a $10 off coupon.

 

atta boy

 

Checking back in, replaced the water pump, cleaned out the throttle body, burned a couple tanks of gas with fuel injector cleaner etc etc, car runs great once I get it going. Still having problems with the first start of the day. Im pretty convinced I have a clogged or broken fuel injector, but any other ideas??? I can get the car to start in the mornings, its just a real pain in the ***. It cranks, I can hear the fuel pump, it just seems to be not catching the gas or something. Any input at all is appreciated

 

I was thinking, is it possible this is just a carbon build up??? Any suggestions on how to approach that problem??

 

look for vacuum injector cleaner... I think that's what it's called...

 

Ok I will look for that, Ima try the seafoam treatment this weekend

 

Hey guys, crossing my fingers but I have had two days in a row with no problems what so ever so lets considered this a issue solved.

I made sure I had spark, then did a full fuel treatment with seafoam. I cosign this stuff, the smoke cloud was cool as expected, I put half a bottle in my crankcase, drove a little over 125 miles, changed my oil, car is running great.

 

My buddy seems to have the same problem with his 4.3L S10. He thinks that his is loosing prime. I would be willing to guess yours is too. Do you have any fuel leaks in the lines or on the throttle body?

 

Hey could you elaborate on what you mean by loosing its prime? Im not familar with the expression, the simpleton in me reads that as I need a oil change. No visible leaks by the TB or fuel injectors.

I have been getting it to start by moving the key to on, then waiting to hear the fuel pump, then i turn the key, I have not always done this, maybe my ignition switch is loosing its prime?

 

No i was refering to the fuel pressure. You may have a leak that is allowing the pressure to drop. You could have an injector sticking...