Wont Start

Got in the OCC this AM to go get breakfast,engine started but ran very rough and was smoking white smoke and then I smelled gas.Tryed to give it some gas but it stalled and never started again.Fairly new optima red top,almost full tank of 100% real gas which has made a big change in the way the engine was running.Has about 16000 miles on a complete tune-up,new fuel filter and K&N air filter.Tryed to start again and began turning over like the timing was way to advanced.Only has 75000 miles on car and has been the most trouble free car Ive ever owned.
Thanks Guys

From your description, it sounds like it is being considerably over-fueled.

The coolant temperature sensor would be my first check.

- J

Maybe the timing IS way too advanced. Put a timing gun on it. 91 has a conventional distributor in it. It actually could have slipped. But I doubt that's the problem.

The WHITE smoke bothers me. Rich is usually black smoke from unburned hydrocarbons. I'm wondering if you are getting coolant into a cylinder(s).

Might want to read this...

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Will replace the sensor,I have a new one already.Will let you know.I watched the video,hope that's not the problem.

Thanks Dan,goimg to start tomorrow if my back permits.

JaySS wrote:

From your description, it sounds like it is being considerably over-fueled.

The coolant temperature sensor would be my first check.

- J

You were right on the mark Jay,finally got around to replacing the sensor and it fired right up.Figured I would replace the easy sensor on top first and the one between 1 and 3 plugs tomorrow.
Thanjs Again

Good to hear that you got it fixed.


Dave

Thanks Dave

And filed for future reference. Curious as to what the coolant temp sensor affects how much fuel gets dumped....

Sprocket wrote:

And filed for future reference.  Curious as to what the coolant temp sensor affects how much fuel gets dumped....

I don't know the answer, but causes enough change to stop the engine.
Ask me how I know...
If I recall correctly, it threw a precise code and so was quickly resolved.

I'm having a similar problem. would a bad coolant sensor cause the coolant res. to fill above the cold fill line? Also my oil and voltage warning lights stay on when the key is in the on position.

Glad I'm not the only one hopelessly in love with a station wagon!

Hey Jim, good that it's fixed. it didn't threw any codes?

I found out afterward that it threw the coolant temperature code.

Colder = more fuel.
Warmer = Less fuel.

boonville: No, a bad sensor will not effect the coolant level. The BATT. light, and oil light will stay on when the ignition is in the run position, and the engine is not running. So that's normal.

802 wrote:

If I recall correctly, it threw a precise code and so was quickly resolved.

A bad coolant temperature sensor will not always throw a code. A code will be set if the sensor resistance is extremely high or extremely low, but will not be set if the resistance is merely very wrong.

I once had it happen that the sensor was telling the ECU that the temperature was +20°C (about +70°F) when in fact the temperature was really -20°C (about -5°F). Since +20°C is well within the range of acceptable values, there was no code, but the ECU did not add near enough fuel to start such a cold engine.