Re: [DML] Bad Week

[Soma576@xxxx]

Jason, 

this could be any number of things. is the car flooding or is running too 
lean? your cold start valve is easy to check - just unscrew the two allen 
screws on either side of it, put it in a glass jar or cup, and have someone 
turn the key. you should see a fine mist in the shape of an umbrella or arc 
come out of the cold start valve, but only for about a second or so. then it 
should not continue. also go to your electrical compartment and find your 
RPM relay. it is the black box with the blue plug of six wires going into 
it. it is located under the door control module closest to the firewall. or 
it may already be out and just lying loose back there. pull the black box 
off of it and jump the brown wire (+12V) with the one diagnonal from it - the 
white/purple wire. this will jump your fuel pump. also while your are at it 
jump the brown wire with the one across from it, the yellow/orange. you 
should hear a buzzing from the engine compartment. that's your frequency 
valve. make sure both your fuel pump and frequency valve work. the fuel 
pump is up near your spare tire, in fact right under it and under the 
windsheild. it should sound like a cooling fan running - no frequency 
change, just a noticable 'RRRRRRRRRRRRRR......' you get the idea. 

after that, you might as well start checking for vacuum leaks. replace any 
hoses that feel stiff or brittle. check for cracks or loose connections. if 
you have any loose ones, either replace the hose, especially if it is hard, 
or get some hose clamps. vacuum is a major factor in the operation of the 
car. also look for any fuel leaks back there or under the car. check your 
fuel pump to make sure the cover boot is over it and there is no water down 
where the pump actually operates. this will lead to water in your gas, as i 
am so fond of by now.

since the car will start if you keep giving it gas, it's safe to say that you 
are getting spark. did the car run pretty well before? if so, it's probably 
not bad plugs or timing. if you had that problem, it would be gradual, not a 
sudden change in operation like this. sounds to me like a fuel problem.

to check your injectors, remove your air cleaner cover and the air cleaner 
vent. you can seperate the air cleaner from the hoses right there next to 
the right hand passenger valve cover. just turn it off but be careful not to 
crack it! you will see your plugs and injectors right there on the valve 
side below the air induction system. in case you don't know, the injectors 
are the ones that have the bolts on top of them with the big thick hoses on 
top. pull the #3 injector (the one closest to you on the passenger side) 
out, and put it in a glass or cup. jump your RPM relay to run the fuel pump 
and observe the gas pattern. does it drip out once every couple of seconds or 
less? if so, then that's ok. if it drips more frequently, like say, twice a 
second, either your injectors are old and don't seal well anymore or you are 
running too rich. if the injectors seem to be pretty dry, then gently press 
down in the air metering plate in the center of the engine. this should 
cause a heavy stream of gas to eject from the injectors as long as you push 
down the meter. if that happens, then that's all good. 

if you seem to be running too rich, you may want to get ahold of a K-Jetronic 
pressure testing device and check out your fuel pressures. could be too high 
or too low. procedures for this test are found in section 2 of the workshop 
manual. if your pressure is way off, drop me a line because i am in a very 
similar situation right now! 

hopefully your problem is something simple and stupid!!

Andy

In a message dated 4/21/01 12:25:36 PM Central Daylight Time, 
rowejj@xxxx writes:


> Now for the new problem. 
> I decided I'd go ahead and get the car out yesterday but it wouldn't stay 
> running right after 
> starting. It'd run for about 5 seconds if I'm lucky and die. I was able to 
> keep the car running if
> I kept giving it gas but as soon as I'd let off the gas it would then die. 
> Where should I start? 
> Cold Start Valve? Thermo Time Switch? Maybe a vacuumm Line? 
> 
> Thanks in advance...............Obviously still 
> 



Soma576@xxxx
1982 DeLorean DMC-12 VIN#11596
Fargo, ND 58102


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