No start - Odd Problem

[rugman]

My 04 cargo van won't start - originally had this issue - viewtopic.php?f=43&t=85529
Changed the fuel filter and has been fine. It sat for a while and won't start now. Has fuel - has spark. Fuel pressure 50PSI - spark looks strong. Tried starter fluid to see if would try - nothing. Had a buddy bring over his code reader (its a pro one as he works in a shop) nothing out of the ordinary. Even he is stumped?

[chevymaher]

Pull the plugs and look at them. See if they are fouled, have a ceramic coating on them. Misfiring down in the bottom instead of in the gap. Contaminated by coolant. Flooding during start up will foul the snot out of them and a coating builds on the plug.

Clean and regap see if it fires up.

Take the plenum cover off look for gas puddles. Check the injector connections. Even if it has pressure it wont run if the injector isn't getting a good signal.

[AstroWill]

If it won't start with starting fluid, it's most likely an ignition problem. Do you get any arching? Spray the spark plug wires with water while letting the engine run at night/in the dark. How do the plugs look?

Is that 50psi key on engine off?

[rugman]

50 PSI is when cranking.
Can't check for arcing wires as it won't run. Ran pretty good up until this. It is due for a tune up but I would imagine it would started running crappy before this happened?

[rugman]

Pull the plugs and look at them. See if they are fouled, have a ceramic coating on them. Misfiring down in the bottom instead of in the gap. Contaminated by coolant. Flooding during start up will foul the snot out of them and a coating builds on the plug.

Clean and regap see if it fires up.

Take the plenum cover off look for gas puddles. Check the injector connections. Even if it has pressure it wont run if the injector isn't getting a good signal.

Planning on checking the plugs next. Even if it had bad inj connections wouldn't the starting fluid at least make it try and start?

[chevymaher]

Not necessarily if the plugs are fouled.

[rugman]

My buddy also mentioned that they have had issues with the chip in the key causing a similar problem. Although - I am pretty sure when I went to get a spare made the guy checked it and said " good - no chip". Wasn't really paying attention though.

[rugman]

Got a plug out - here is a picture - look sold but OK? not wet at all - I have spark at the plug

[chevymaher]

Looks pretty old and nasty to me. What is the gap, bet it has eroded and is bigger than it should be. It has a ceramic layer on it. Bet if you sand the outer electrode it take quite a while to get to shiney metal.

I would toss a new set in gapped and see if it fires up.

[rugman]

Yep - new plugs going in and new wires etc - gotta be the worst job ever! At least the left side is. About 3/4 of the way done - had to quit to grab the kiddies. Should be done by tomorrow!

[Leeann_93]

That plug has been toast for a while.

[AstroWill]

gotta be the worst job ever!

Haven't had to do the engine mounts yet have you?

[rugman]

gotta be the worst job ever!

Haven't had to do the engine mounts yet have you?

Don't even want to think about it!

[AstroWill]

gotta be the worst job ever!

Haven't had to do the engine mounts yet have you?

Don't even want to think about it!

Agreed :)

[rugman]

All is good! Running like a champ again - even found a broken vac hose and now my heat works on all settings! Found this sitting on top of my rotor when I took the cap off. Thanks for all the help!!!!

[AstroWill]

All is good! Running like a champ again - even found a broken vac hose and now my heat works on all settings! Found this sitting on top of my rotor when I took the cap off. Thanks for all the help!!!!

AWESOME! Glad you got it fixed.

[Leeann_93]

Hey, two for one!

Nice