I've got a 1990 240SX with 299K Km's on it. Recently it has been acting up. The problem lies when the car is at running temperature.
Forexample, let's say you were to run out somewhere. Go into a store and return to the car approx 15 - 20 minutes later. When you attempt to start the car the engine turns over. But as the engine tried to keep itself running it struggles and shakes the car violently. If you try to give it some gas it sounds like the exhaust is plugged but the pipes are clear. Eventually the engine dies. Any further attempts to start it and get it running again fail miserably and you have to wait at least 30 minutes to attempt to start the engine. At that point it normally starts up fine. If the engine is cold(ie left overnight and started in the morning) it starts up with no problems at all. If you get to the car within 15 mins from shutting it off it also starts fine.
Some of the things that I have noticed is that there is a strong gasoline smell at the exhaust and from under the car while it struggles to keep itself running. I took it into a shop and they swore it was the EGR valve. Well two weeks later and $400 poorer I'm back to where I was.
Im hoping that someone has experienced this with any car and can point me in the right direction as to how to get this repaired. I have owened the car for three years and this is the first problem other than regular maintenance so I'm impressed and wish to keep it running!
I appreciate any advice and help and thank you in advance!
Strange Starting Problem
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Gutacheese
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2003 6:27 pm
- Car: 1993 240sx Convertible
- Contact:
-
Gutacheese
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2003 6:27 pm
- Car: 1993 240sx Convertible
- Contact:
I haven't noticed the blue smoke but on a couple occasions once I have gotten the car started I have noticed a two foot flame out the exhaust. I know it looks cool and gets you chicks but my exhaust isn't designed to handle that. That indicates to me that the fuel/air mixture could be richer on the fuel side. I'll pay more attention to see if there is blue smoke but so far I have been looking outside the vehicle when it is shaking violently and haven't seen the smoke.
As for the fuel pressure. I'm not sure how the readings are on that but the pressure in the fuel system should be constant unless the fuel pump isn't working properly.
As for the fuel pressure. I'm not sure how the readings are on that but the pressure in the fuel system should be constant unless the fuel pump isn't working properly.
You're kidding right? I've never actually seen a flame come out of a stock engine. Damn, don't drive that car till you get it fixed. You could easily destroy your cats or split the exhaust pipe. It really sounds like you have a bad fuel leak from one of your injectors. A bad pump wouldn't cause that. Probably a pinched seal, or possibly a cracked tip. The point is that if the leak is big enough, the pressure might be low from the pump not being able to sustain the flow and still keep the pressure normal. Maybe, maybe not. But the symptoms are fairly clear.
