88 245 hard starting in the cold

andys240 · Post by **andys240** » 15 Dec 2010, 20:02

hey everyone, tried reviewing some on here but figure its best to post a fresh one with things unique to my car. i bought this car with undetermined mileage (129k on it in mid 90s documentation in the glove box, so probably a lot!) last february and have had almost no problems until lately. just had brake issues that ended up costing almost as much as i paid for the thing, now it doesnt want to start in the cold, i cant blame it, i would rather sleep too, but i have to work! last week it wouldnt start at first then it did finally, then while driving later it died, had heard the fuse by the battery could be at fault, picked the fuse holder up, its coated in misc engine fluids and 20+ years of road grease and it shattered in my hand, replaced with a newer fuse holder and started right up. next day everything went out, turns out i had bumped a wire loose while replacing the fuse holder, put that back on and good to go again.
this week it started fine monday, yesterday and today not so much...it will crank and crank but wont start, yesterday i noticed the coolant was low, added more and waited a bit and it started shortly after. today the fluid is still good (oil looks good, so doesnt seem to have leaked in there, but there is some leaking from somewhere, a little above the oil filter. today cranked and cranked, gave it a break, messed with connections on the cap, etc, cranking on and off for 40 min or so and it started finally. i tried starting fluid and didnt seem to make a difference either way. recently pulled and cleaned the plugs i put in last feb, (also cleaned cap and rotor contacts, new at the same time) plug wires are older, considering replacing, seem very stiff when its cold. once it starts it is fine the rest of the day, but first thing in the morning when i need to leave to be at work it wont start. i am still making payments on a newer car that i crashed and am fighting insurance, still paying on it in the mean time, so not tons of money to put in this. hoping to drive it into the ground, trying to take good care of it, its been a good little car for the most part but these last two weeks its about driven me crazy. i dont have a place to park close enough for a block heater either. it seemed at least a little to be more reluctant when the tank is low, when it was very low yesterday, i put in some iso heet and a full tank of gas and drove 30+ miles, then more of the same not starting today...i am at a loss, and not really in a position to throw any more money at it then i need to, fuel filter is on my list to replace when it warms up, spark plugs seem like the only thing i can think of right now, should i change them? what about the coil? i have an extra accell super stock and a msd blaster 2 somewhere around here.
sorry for the long post, but trying to be thorough, help appreciated!

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 15 Dec 2010, 21:22

Old spark plug wires are worse when it gets cold. A good set of Bougicord Class E spark plug wires from someplace like FCP Groton would be a good start.

andys240 · Post by **andys240** » 16 Dec 2010, 07:18

found the faq's on here, sorry didnt see them sooner, but wondering if i have a cold start valve? i tried giving it starting fluid yesterday and didnt seem to make a difference, and it seems like it would if it was a fuel/cold start valve problem right? i will look into plug wires and check the cap next time, it was buried in a few inches of snow this am but started first try! only one more day that it needs to start this week haha...

andys240 · Post by **andys240** » 22 Dec 2010, 21:31

never found out if i have a cold start valve haha...but i have new plugs at the office (got delivered after i left for the day) that will go in early tomorrow....i also ran a bottle of heet in it last tank and the current one, only halfway through this tank, but so far been starting consistently first time every time. heres hoping i make it to illinois tomorrow!

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 23 Dec 2010, 06:56

Yes, it has a cold start valve...It is located in the center of the intake manifold and is underneath it, pointing upward...

There is a large, black, pleated hose running between the MAF near the battery and the throttle body...Between chafing against cables running under it and just plain cracking from age, this hose might have holes in it, usually underneath...It requires removing it to check it out...If that hose is leaking, unmetered air enters the intake manifold with out first passing through the MAF...

In regards to that fuel injection fuse, check the other end of the main wire running to it...It connects directly to the positve battery terminal and might be corroded...

andys240 · Post by **andys240** » 23 Dec 2010, 07:55

thanks for the info, ill check that out soon, feeling better about driving it 5 hours to my parents tonight now that its starting better and not stuttering any more. thanks guys!