94 850 n/a Car has a starting problem acts as if its flooded

petek153 · Post by **petek153** » 23 May 2014, 19:13

Have had this problem several times luckily every time I was home. It seems to happen if car is started and shut off without letting it come up to temp. Started car moved across yard shut off 2 hours later go to start just cranks. Has new plugs, wires, cap, getting gas, pulled plugs there wet threw another set in after a minute of continuous cranking it started. Normally this car starts first revolution. Any ideas?

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 23 May 2014, 19:20

It is not technically flooded. Do a search on lawnmower syndrome. Because the gasoline washed the cylinder rings and depleted the oil, the compression is too low to create combustion. This is common when the engine only runs for a few minutes and is cold.

Post by **Ben850** » 23 May 2014, 19:48

Klausc wrote:It is not technically flooded. Do a search on lawnmower syndrome. Because the gasoline washed the cylinder rings and depleted the oil, the compression is too low to create combustion. This is common when the engine only runs for a few minutes and is cold.

Nice Klaus. I have experienced it at least two times in the N/A '93. It is not fun, and certainly an inconvenience.

When you know that is the problem, (me) I pulled the air box hose at the throttle body and had my friend spray lubricated starting fluid while I cranked it. By the way, do not stop cranking at that point.
If you run out of battery power, rinse, recharge, and repeat.

It will start, and I never pulled the plugs to add oil to the cylinders to get the ring seal, but that is the other option.
I imagine your choice would depend on time, and/or battery robustness.

Oh, to prevent it from happening again, try not shut it off immediately after starting it. Let the oil pressure go through the passages and journals for a couple minutes.
The only other option is, park it where I know I will not need to move it for a silly reason.
Stuff happens. Owning an older car is also not easy.

Enjoy.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 23 May 2014, 19:59

You don't need to work hard at it, just make sure your battery can crank at least 20 seconds at a time. Be sure to let the starter motor cool off between attempts.

Pressing the gas pedal all the way to the floor will shut off the injectors, so you don't wash more gas past the rings. Once the oil light goes out, it should start.

Post by **E Showell** » 27 May 2014, 13:47

If the spoonful of oil did not solve this problem -- i.e., correct a case of "lawnmower syndrome" -- another possibility is a failed engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT) which should always be replaced in tandem with a thermostat. Basically, a failed sensor can cause the engine to think it is colder than it is over-enriching the mixture and causing hard starting, at least that has been my experience and is my understanding.

jrobles007 · Post by **jrobles007** » 29 May 2014, 23:21

Have you looked into the Idle Control Valve? No harm in cleaning it. There is a small valve inside that should move freely, you can test it with a small screw driver by gently moving the valve. Recommend only using throttle body cleaner to clean it out. My 94 NA ICV was frozen 1/2 way open. Caused weird idling until I replaced it. Do a search and you will find good instructions on how to clean it. Another known problem is the Fuel Pump Relay, has bad capacitors. This causes car to cut out randomly, so may not be related to your issue, but you never know. I fixed mine using instructions found on this site. I have basically rebuilt/saved my 850 from the wrecking yard mostly by following tips on this website, great site. Let me know if you want to know my 2+ years of trouble shooting and replacing parts on the 94. Good luck.

SUPERBRIK · Post by **SUPERBRIK** » 29 May 2014, 23:32

Have you tried checking the fuel relay?