snowdemon Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 What an excellent site, BTW... I have two '88 gl SW that won't start. Both ran until about 15 months ago and i'm finally getting around to trying to figure out why they won't start. My blue gl wouldn't start on a -30 below morning after running fine the day before, the second (red) gl started up that morning but refused to do so the next day, which had warmed up to about 10 above zero. I know the blue gl's engine had some power problems although the compression was checked within 2k miles and had 120 psi on all cylinders. The red gl would make valve slapping sounds on start up. Both are getting spark and fuel. I finally got around to getting the timing belt covers off the blue gl and the belts look fine. After looking around at this site I now know I should read the codes to look for additional problems. Let's say that the codes don't show any probs (or maybe you know the answer anyway), what else could be wrong? any suggestions would be appreciated... Cheers from Colorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[HTi]Johnson Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 How cold is it there when you're trying to start? Did/do the engines have coolant in them? If not, did they freeze and possibly crack? I would start with the simple things. Like checking the plug wires, cap/rotor, spark plugs. See if the plugs are getting spark. Then see if it's getting fuel. Maybe check the fuses. I'm only familar with EA81's, and turbo'd EA82s, there should be a fuse for the computer/ecm right? See if the fuel pump cycles when you're checking the codes. It's more than likely something really basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowdemon Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 Yup, the engines have coolant in them - the blue gl didn't start on the morning when it was 30 below but the red gl did start (it died the next day) - both engines are getting spark, and I made sure that the fuel pumps are working and fuel is getting into the intake manifold. They were both running fine one day and *poof* the next day they wouldn't. I will double check the fuses thou, and ty for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhelme Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Are they carbed or FI? Either way you probably fouled the spark plugs. I see about 20 to 30 come into the shop every winter when it drops to -20 or so and for the most part you bring it into the shop warm it up and install new plugs. Sometimes you have to open the throttle all the way to clear out all the excess gas built up in the cylinders but for the most part they start right up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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