AAAARGH!! HELP 16v Cold Stalling Problem

[16v]

Hi,

Posted something up about this before and have tried everything to cure but to no avail.

The problem is on a 90 valver which is modded (gasflowed, 2exh cams etc.)

It ONLY happens 1st thing in a morning when the car is dead cold. If you then leave it from warm (e.g. outside work for 8 hours) and restart it, it's fine. And it only seems to happen on cold days. Was doing it even on mild days originally but tried some things and now it only does it when cold days.

Car starts fine initially but as you dip the clutch to approach a junction the revs drop and the car stalls and is a pig to restart (have to press the throttle a little or it won't start)


Firstly I checked the ISV, works fine. I even bought a replacement to double check from ebay (after dealer wanted £240+VAT for one!!!) Replacement was actually worse so not the ISV.

Cleaned all the associated pipework and the ISV itself with brake cleaner. No different.

Next looked ar the WUR. Found some crap in it so cleaned that out and made a slight improvement but problem still persists.

Next set the idle and CO correctly. Asked a garage to set it at 2%. No different.

Next tried throttle cable (although surely it would also do it when warm if it was this). Looked a bit stretched so replaced it anyway. No different.

Next changed plugs. No different.

Next stripped down full intake system. Was a bit of oil in there but nothing major. Cleaned fully. No different.

Next changed the fuel filter in case it was crapped up and ran injector cleaner through the fuel. No change.

Car is always run on shell Optimax /v-power

I am at my wits end with this and can't take it to a garage to diagnose as it would have to be left outside overnight to replicate the problem. If not left outside, it doesn't do it.

Only thing I haven't tried yet is the auxiliary air valve but I'm not sure where this is.

I am going to convert to EFi eventually so hopefully that will rectify it but funds don't allow at the moment as we've just had a baby.

Any assistance would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

[Gambit]

try running it with the cold start valve disconnected. just take of the plug

[16v]

Where is that located please?

Is that also known as the auxiliary air valve?

What about unplugging the cold start injector and testing it for working too?

[Gambit]

thats what i meant. disconnect the cold start injector.

it sounds like your car is flooding itself in the mornings.

[Judderi]

You could also try unplugging the WUR to see if that stops it flooding.

[16v]

Cheers.

Will try that and see.

Thanks

[16v]

 

No,  tried that, to no avail. Still stalling, although with the cold start injector disconnected at least it restarts easily.

If you blip the throttle a few times before coming to rest, it stops the stalling problem but it's a bit of a pain doing that.

Any other ideas?

[Gambit]

does the car idle properly when warm & with the ISV disconnected?

i mean a smooth idle, doesnt hunt slightly up and down the revs. the exhaust note should be a constant note. not wee splutters etc.

id be inclined to attempt to set the CO% by ear. the 2.0% may not suit due to the cams & headjob

[16v]

Car idles "sweet as" when warm. In fact the car behaves absolutely perfectly apart from the first few 100 metres in the morning.

Not tried disconnecting the ISV when warm tho. Will try that tonight and let you know.

Thanks.

[16v]

Tried disconnnecting the ISV.

If you unplug it when the engine is warm, the revs drop but stay steady. Plugf the ISV back in and the revs stay the same but rev the car and it stalls. Restart the ignition and it revs ok.