88 3.5EFI Wont start!

Hi There!

I'm new on here and already have a problem! I've got an 88 3.5EFI Rangy and it wont start! it turns over fine trys to fire for about 30 seconds then behaves like its flooded! On the odd occasion it will run for about 1-2 seconds and when it does its very smooth on all 8. So far the list of parts fitted is:
Recon Distributor
Good 2nd hand fuel pump
New:- cap, rotor arm, coil, plugs, leads, ignition module, fuel filter, adjustable fuel pressure regulator with gauge (set at 38psi)

I have cleaned all engine earths, the pump is supplying between 30-38psi throughout trying to start, i have a good spark at all plugs, it was suggested to me yesterday to put a couple of drops of oil in the bores incase they'd been washed by petrol causing the rings not to seal properly but i tried this to no avail but did notice that no 6+8 plugs were already black but the rest were not nor were they soaked in petrol.

Please help because its driving me mad now! i bought it in january as an mot'd + taxed runner put a fresh mot on it and have only managed to drive it about 100 miles as it just refused to start about 9 weeks ago!

Many Thanks In Advance

scoop3000

Well one of the first things I did when mine was playing up was to replace the coolant tenperature sensor, sits vertically to the front of the inlet manifold passenger side, cost £9.

That partly did the trick for mine the other culprits were a combination of gummed up throttle body meaning there was no vacuum to vacuum advance and dodgy wiring going to Idle Control Valve.

There are lots of more knowledgable people on here sure to help.

Custard

Porous heads (hopefully not)? Like custard said, check all the wiring to the various sensors, particularly the airflow meter by the plenum chamber.

thanks custard have already bought a new sensor (i knew there was something i forgot to put in the list!) will have a look at the wiring tonight at some point! i'm having to juggle the rangy with trying to get my new daily runabout on the road but its all going pete tong! Thanks for trying to scare me Take5!!! :0 I'll check all the wiring wouldnt think its porous heads as nothings mixing! (oil water etc)

Scoop

Well I haven't got mine starting perfectly myself yet, but the sure fire way to start it is to turn it over and gradually press the throttle down, sometimes all the way. Don't let go of the key, keep it going eventually will fire, run very lumpy for 30 secs or so, but then fine.

The problem with mine seems to be that it doesn't get the right fuel air mixture as you immediately start it and floods but as you open the throttle up more air is forced in, thus allowing it to start.

I investigated the air flow meter but that was fine and in any case a faulty one wouldn't really stop the engine from starting, but I still beleive its to do with mixture and not enough air on start up.

Custard

Well i've looked at the wiring for the icv, injectors, injector resistor pack and the AFM and cant find any breaks or dodgy connections, i tried your method for starting custard and it made no difference i've also checked the petrol to make sure theres no water in it and its lovely and clear so i'm stumped! am now starting to contemplate breaking it for spares cos i just dont have the money to keep buying bits and my parents are kinda getting fed up with it on their drive cos thats where it broke down (better theirs than mine though!)

Scoop

Take all the plugs out,leave it overnight.Disconnect the cold start injector on the side of the plenum chamber.Next morning,disable the fuel pump and crank it over for a few seconds with the throttle wide open.Put it all back together except for connecting the cold start injector and it should start.Unless you live in arctic conditions the cold start injector is not needed,and will happily flood the engine.If the plugs have been soaked,it is often necessary to fit new ones as they wont spark under compression.

Ok thanks eightinavee, i'll give it a go next time i'm over there which might be a week or so now as tommorrow i give my company car up and don't have a runabout on the road yet! (the rangy was mean't to be it as its taxed and mot'd)

Thanks

Scoop