Car wont start after it gets hot

Tiny
TRIPP78
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I will test and replace if found open. Thanks again!
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Ok well I had time to work on it today, so I picked up an ignition coil and got a better understanding of what it was. As a result it seems I have 2 coils right next to each other.

I tested them both, and the reading was (please bare with my ineptitude with a multi-meter) 5.6 for both, while the new coil I bought reads 8.4 or so.

Do I need to replace them both, or is there an underlying problem?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
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5.6K OHMS is acceptable resistance for the coils. Both were the same? They sound ok. On the first cylinder where the spark plug wire is near the alternator bracket, try putting some wire loom cover over it and make sure its not touching the bracket. Its very important that wire is in good shape and connected properly.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Yes, both tested the same. I maybe should have noted that the car started fine before I tested it. Do I need to perform the test when it's not properly igniting?

The wire is brand new and connected fine and isn't touching anything. I'll pick up wire loom when I return the coil.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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Yes recheck when cold or when its acting up.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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I finally caught it acting up when I had time to test it. It's been starting regularly until today. I tested the coils and they were still reading between 5.6 and 5.7k ohms.

I'm wondering, since it's been starting lately every time, and the weather has also been hot while today it's a little cooler and rainy, if there is a correlation?

If not, what can I try next?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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If it acts up in the rain, wait till dark get a spray bottles and mist down sections at a time till you see it arcing. If you don't see it in the dark! Do you still have the check engine light? If the EGR code is still present see if it's stuck open, if it is replace it. An open EGR CAN prevent a car from starting.32 can also be the Manifold absoilute pressure sensor*MAP) and this can definatly cause starting and drivability problems.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Yes, I still have check engine light, including the EGR code. The valve is not stuck and seems to move normally (though i'd have to feel a brand new one to know exactly). When the car does start there is no apparent drivability issue.

I also still get an o2 sensor code even though I replaced it. I'll try the mist bottle thing asap.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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To clarify. For testing with the spray bottle at night. Does this need to be done when the car won't start. And as far as where to spray, all over the engine area in small sections at a time?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Concentrate on the coils and wires, and dont forget what I said earlier. The MAP can also be the reason for the 32 code.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Ok well. Finally caught it acting up and while it was dusk I pulled it into the garage and tried the spray bottle. Unfortunately I saw nothing of note.

The car has been starting 80% of the time, and I still haven't seen for sure if it always doesn't start during/after rainfall, but i'm trying.

Any other things to test?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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This is a 4 cyl correct? If it is you are most likely going to find a coil and or ignition module causing this problem, possible moisture getting into a cracked coil causing 2 cylinders not to fire. You can shot gun blast with 2 coils and a module or next time its dead check for spark output voltaqge on every cylinder and I bet youll find 2 cylinders are weak or one is dead. They need 25000 volts is a good spark. They sell a st125 took which looks like a spark plug wire with a aligator clip on it, its used to measure spark output voltage.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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4 cyl, it is.

Shot gun blast?

I have only checked the resistance on the ignition coils, which did not change whether the car was starting or not.

Would it be a good idea, maybe, to take out the coils and module and take them to autozone to get checked? If so, any tips on removing them being on the back of the engine and hard to see?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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Shotgun blast is basically replacing the ignition system parts that have not been changed and by doing that you have a high percentage of fixing it. Remove coils and module by removing the 5.5mm bolts holding down the coils and the module will come out. Autozone cant test them but removing the coils you might find a crack in them which is probably what the problem is. Keep us posted
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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I think I saw that autozone can test the module, but either way it sounds like I should go ahead and remove it all.

It's been raining for almost 2 days straight here, and it started just fine both days now, so i'm guessing the water thing was just a coincidence.

Let u know what I find.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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OK
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VWHITE94
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  • 1988 BUICK CENTURY
  • 107,000 MILES
This car was my daily driver for over a year, and it was my fathers before this for another three years. It drove like a dream and never had any trouble starting before this. My boyfriend and I drove to his friends house for the night, the next morning when we were leaving it wouldn't start at all it sounded like it was bogging down on every turn, we tried and tried until the battery was dead. We tried jumping it and used starter fluid with no luck. So a week went by and we towed it home my father looked at it and we thought it wasn't receiving enough gas and checked the fuel filter and pump the filter was clogged so badly with this gooey syrup like substance, so we bought a new one to put on it. We checked spark plugs they were all good. We then checked the oil it was almost 5 quarts over filled with gas and smelled really strong. We drained the oil and replaced it about half way to see if it would fill back up. The engine is flooding out with gas to the point it was spraying out when we were trying to start it I made my father quit and we let it sit for another week or so came back and he bought a new battery and tried it then it caught on fire. Did someone sabotage my car by maybe putting sugar in the tank or something because the gas did not smell right and we filled it up about four days earlier? It doesn't make any sense it started perfectly every day no problem is it worth trying to fix? Or is it something more serious?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Someone could have done something, but that is a good question at this point. If the engine is filling up with fuel, then my guess is that either the fuel pressure regulator is not working and allowing too much fuel to enter the engine or injectors are sticking and dumping fuel.

Lets start by checking fuel pump pressure to see if it is within the manufacturer's specs. If you need directions, go to our homepage. We have directions and a video to help you.

You know. It is funny it wouldn't start with starting fluid. Are you sure there is spark to the plugs? Were the plugs wet?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VWHITE94
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We did check all the spark plugs and they all have a spark we even replaced them just to be sure. I'm not sure if they were wet I don't believe they were my father replaced them. We checked the fuel pump and filter, the filter was clogged beyond belief but the pump seemed to be working. I just don't understand what could of happened to it but I will definitely try checking the fuel pressure regulator and see what's up with it and come back to you on that.

What would cause gas to be in the oil my father is a small engine mechanic but he said he has never come across that in a car?

When we were trying to turn it over and my dad was looking through to maybe try and pin point something the exhaust was leaking what we thought was condensation but when he touched he said it smelt like gas. I know that cant be normal. It also has a timing chain could timing be an issue for it to not catch and turn over?

Thank you so much, Victoria
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You have to either have a stuck injector dumping fuel into the engine or the regulator isn't working.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)

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