1992 Oldsmobile 98 Oldsmobile starting problem

Tiny
M. PEISCHL
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 OLDSMOBILE 98
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,700 MILES
My 1992 Olds 98 Regency with a 3.8 V6/electronic fuel injection is hard starting. The car has high mileage, but I suspect it received a new engine sometime (I bought it used).
The car was at first hard starting hot, but now it can be so hot or cold. I have done the following, to no avail:

1. Cleaned plugs (plugs were in good condition)--plugs and wires are fairly new.
2. Checked ignition module-good spark.
3. Checked fuel pressure regulator-got flow of fuel from schraeder valve after ignition on (not cranking) for a few seconds.
4. Installed new crank position sensor.
5. Good battery connections.

Can you help me?

Thanks,
Mike

updated by Admin 5/26/09
I have checked the coils for spark by removing the wires and observing.
All terminals display strong spark arcing. Seems OK. One thing I did not notice until yesterday: one of the injectors makes an intermittent, brief hissing sound. If you think this indicates clogging, can I remove the injector, spray the tip with carb cleaner, and get better results? I've tried injector cleaner in the fuel.

updated 6-16-09
Sorry for the delay in responding. Had to get a fuel pressure tester.
My '92 Olds fuel pressure range should be 40-43 psi. When switching on
ignition only, and not starting the engine, pressure goes to 45 lbs,
and then drops to 0 when the fuel pump stops running, with the ignition
still on. There is a leak in the tester, which causes gasoline to drip
out the guage hose, but it does not seem to be too serious. I checked
the fuel modulator for vacuum tightness, and it seems OK. When running
the engine, pressure reads a constant 37 psi. I ran fuel pressure tests
with the gas tank pressurized and depressurized (gas cap on and off). I
also checked each injector with a mechanic's stethoscope, and got
distinct tapping noise from each. As mentioned earlier, the ignition
module gives strong arcing sparks between each pole, cold or hot
engine. Wires and plugs in good condition. I also put fuel injector
cleaner in the gas. Starting problem persists.

Thanks for sticking with me,
Mike

updated 6/27/09
Thanks for the help. One thing I neglected to mention was a strong smell of fuel after cranking the engine too much to get my '92 Olds started when hot. Any reactions to this?
Thanks again,
Mike
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 AT 12:18 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You need to verify the fuel pressure if its within specs and if you're getting injection pulses if pressure and injection pulses are okay -check for spark at the coil/s and get back
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Use an ohmmeter and check the injector's solenoid resistance it should read 14.5 ohms @ 68 degF not within range replace it-Pressing on the schreader valve doesn't tell you the amount of pressure in the system. You need to actually check it with a fuel pressure gauge.

If its within range try cleaning it and see what happens.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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When switching on ignition only, and not starting the engine, pressure goes to 45 lbs, and then drops to 0 when the fuel pump stops running,

Your fuel pressure should be 40-47psi and should hold pressure for several minutes not to drop to zero the quick. If pressure drops quickly, the vehicle may have a leaky fuel line, a leaky fuel pump check valve, a leaky fuel pressure regulator or one or more leaky fuel injectors. Low residual fuel pressure can cause hard starting
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
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Recheck the fuel pressure and the injector resistances
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Monday, June 29th, 2009 AT 2:09 PM

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