Re: Summer Heat, now hard starting Q

["Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxx>]

In a way I'm kina glad to hear about this; it means I'm not the only 
one! I've been having the exact same problems that you have, but 
thought that it might be due to other factors on my engine. Warm 
temps in spring time: no problem. Summer heat: hard starting. If 
you're out some place and you need to leave in a hurry, swapping the 
cold start valve & the control pressure regulator plugs will get you 
going in a hurry. Now for the interesting part! If you turn to 
section D:01:15 of the workshop manual under Electrical Circuit 
Function, the last paragraph reads (bad punctuation included):
"The car is wired for a hot start relay. This relay can be installed 
if a hot starting problem is experienced in excessively hot regions 
of the country. When this relay is used is used, the cold start valve 
will inject intermittently durring cranking when engine is hot."
If anyone here knows how/where to install this relay, let us know. It 
would definately same me a bit of embarassment in the parking lot! 

In the mean time replacing the air filter, and removing the air inlet 
valve in the summer months will allow the engine to breath alot 
easier. Plus a tune up wouldn't hurt. Pep Boys sells some high 
performance wires that are a perfect fit, plus you can get one of the 
improved ignition coils there as well. If you also decide to change 
the distributor & rotor cap, DO NOT USE A CROSS-OVER PART!!! Borg-
Warner has a distributor cap that fits, but the OEM unit by BOSCH 
that DMC Houston sells is a heavier, sturdier unit. The BW is 
thinner, and just seems "cheaper" in comparison. Plus for daily 
driving, the pick-up line in the fuel tank can give you problems. In 
traffic it can collapse causing the engine to lug. If you get below 
1/8 tank it can starve the engine totally. And if they aren't working 
properly, a new set of ballast resistors as well. All of these items 
will help make for easier starting, plus will improve performance! 
Lastly, buy a sun shade from DMC Houston, they are worth every dime! 
It not only saves your dash, but will keep the intierior reasonably 
cool (compared to the outside).

-Robert
vin 6585

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx, "Chris Coplen" <blarness@xxxx> wrote:
> I recently threw my D on a trailer and moved from Grand Rapids, MI 
(cloudy, and mild temps) to Austin, Texas (102 degree big, flaming 
ball in the sky that just won't quit). 
> 
> My DeLorean has NEVER had a starting problem ever. The first time 
I started it in Austin it took five long cranks and then finally 
sputtered to life and ran poorly for the first minute. This 
continues now EVERY time I try to start it when its hot out. And, 
well, it's been triple digit temps all eight days I've been here.
> 
> I, at first, accounted it as vapor lock but it does it even when 
the engine is cold. Then I thought maybe it's the Michigan gas, our 
votility levels are different than Texas due to our "unpredictable", 
and colder weather conditions. So, late last night I threw a fresh 
tank of premium in and gave her a few high speed rips up and down I-
35 but I haven't had the chance to drive it today.
> 
> What would cause such a DRASTIC change in it's personality just 
because I moved into a hotter environment, and what can be done about 
it? Thank you.
> 
> Chris
> GIGAWAT
> #3876
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]