Bought the car after it had been sitting for quite a long time. Not certain of exact time but years. 40K original miles. Replaced fuel pump filter and coil. When cranking it will intermittently fire up. Rest of the time it just cranks. After a while of not starting it gets hard cranks like the cylinders are starting to hydrolock with fuel. When its tries to start it revs up to around 2500 rpms and then just dies off. After it dies the plugs are fuel soaked. Its like the spark just quits. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Fuel injectors are most likely shot, leaking fuel into the cylinders. Pull them out and get some 19lb Bosch III's from Southbay on here.

And before you try and fire it up after injector replacement, change your oil. The gas has washed your cylinder walls and put the rest of the fuel into the oil. Check your oil now for fuel....chances are gas is in there.

 

Make sure your distributor is firing correctly. I had the pickup coil in my 305TPI distributor fail and it would run and die. It would throw TPS high and low voltage codes. I am not sure this is your problem but it is something to consider, these cars are very prone to this failure. Good luck!!!!

 

What makes you think the injectors are shot? Has this happened to you?

I had the pickup tested and they said it was working correctly. When I check codes with a pin in aldl spot A and B only code that pops up is 12. Were you using a scan tool to read voltage codes?

 

Check your Ignition Control Module....

 

How might i go about doing that?

 

I'm not a huge fan of the "fast food" auto parts stores (AutoZone, Oreillys etc...) but they do have the ability to check the modules... Very typical for them to run for 10-15-20 minutes... Get hot and then start acting wonky

 

first of all as you mentioned the car was sitting for quite some time. I'm sure there is some crap in the lines and the tank. Also, when you have wet cylinders you more than likely have a leaky injector. Did you check the resistance when they were hot and cold as well?

 

The car hasn't been able to get hot as it won't stay running. So heat is a non issue. When I did the fuel pump I cleaned the tank and lines completely out. Had the ignition control module tested and it passed.

 

Sorry, meant the electronics in the ICM heat up... Not necessarily the engine temp.

Does it fire and run on starter fluid? Usually can just shoot it down the PCV line.

 

It will start and rev up to 2500 or so rpms then just dies. Haven't tried starter fluid as its getting fuel for sure.

 

You mean use to see if injectors are putting in too much fuel?

 

I think there is an injector or two bad. You said you have only 40K on a 87. That's alot of sitting over the years and I could see yours having issues from this.