My 86 2.8 V6 has a problem starting when the engine is bone cold, and doesnt have the problem when it has been run for a little while. It will start, but if I give it gas, the pistons do not fire and the engine dies. SOmetimes the car will surge back to life but it has trouble firing the pistons upon cold start up. Is this distributor related, does anybody have an suggestions, thanks.

P.S. The car runs fine once it has been running for a minute. There is a check engine light on, but it has been on for two years.

 

Sounds like the choke isent working right.

 

Why is the check engine light on. It might have something to do with it. And why do you let it stay on and not fix it???

 

Like the post mentioned above, it definitely sounds like a choke related problem. It's more than likely a bad coil, or possibly the hot wire leading to it slipped off. Take off the air cleaner and inspect...

I agree about your check engine light. You need to take care of that. Of course,on a carbureted engine... SES lights aren't that noticeable as far as drive-ability is concerned (the computer can only say so much with a carb), but you should still try to remedy it. It's possible that a simple connector was removed once, and never put back. I would take the time to double check the connectors on your carb, dizzy... and O2 sensor.

 

It's an 86....86 should be MPFI unless its been modified otherwise?

How about looking into the cold-start injector, if it has one...

 

Good catch. I honestly forgot that MPFI began in '85. I think the same principle can be applied though, but rather than a sticky choke plate, it might be a sticky IAC valve...

 

my camaro used to do this, until i put in a engine temp sensor, stopped right away.