Engine tick from under the intake?

[sprocket]

It won't start at all. I'll have to pull the plugs; they might be fouled. I wonder if this rich start thing could be completely unrelated to the head gasket issue. After a week I used the block test kit with the dye to check for exhaust in the coolant and it still passes. I haven't changed the cam sensor yet.

Last night I tried to sell it to a guy on my bowling team. He said he had a '96 and it might still be sitting at his ex wife's house. He hadn't seen it in a couple years, but said the engine was good and the body was bad. He called her and she told him she got $250 for it and had it crushed. Bitch.

He asked what I wanted for it and I told him I start at $1500 because that's what I have into it (besides time, blood and tears). He said he would take a look when the weather gets better. Unfortunately I'm starting to lose interest and it's probably worth seeing if anyone wants to buy it. I can price it for about what I have into it and if I can't get that then I keep puttering with it or put it in the garage for an engine swap at some later date when I feel like doing it.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

If you can do Friday afternoon at Eric's I could probably be there around 17:00
As long as tonights snow storm doesn't short me on hours.

I'm working nights this week but you guys are more than welcome to use my tools and garage. Shoot me a text Dave and maybe we can all get a good look at it to make a finale decision on the fate of that motor.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

And another b head engine with a bad head gasket......

I think the only reason we see bad head gaskets blow on these cars is due to lack of care. His car has been through some tough times.

 

[sprocket]

I'm working nights this week but you guys are more than welcome to use my tools and garage. Shoot me a text Dave and maybe we can all get a good look at it to make a finale decision on the fate of that motor.

OK, I'll text you later. Thanks for the offer. Friday should work for me. If you want me to leave the car for a day I probably could, I just need to find a ride back to Hastings. I'm assuming I'll get it started on Friday.

 

[sprocket]

*deleted*

 

[sprocket]

Many of the plugs were covered in oil. On the passenger side it makes sense because I ran the engine with the valve cover off and never thought to clean out the plug wells. There is also oil on a couple of the plugs on the driver's side, so that side needs new grommets. I didn't have much trouble doing the driver's side on my other Mark so hopefully that will be the case here.

Anyway, it started instantly after I cleaned the plugs.

 

[sprocket]

...and it wouldn't start this morning. Eventually it did. I don't think putting the pedal to the floor with the key off and then trying to start it is actually shutting off the fuel pump. Of course it should start without touching the pedal at all. It catches right away at the first attempt (not touching the gas pedal) then instantly dies. After that it is brutally hard to get started. Yes, I have tried turning the key on and waiting a few seconds for the fuel pump to run. I can hear it running.

 

[slowmkviii]

Putting it to the floor doesn't turn the fuel pump off it disables the intended injectors.
My wife said she has almost the same problem with our town car
When cold out if you put it under light load right after starting it dies and doesn't want to restart
I haven't looked at it though told her to let it warm up 5 min then drive

 

[sprocket]

It still has a head gasket issue, just not as bad. It goes in the garage now, until motor swap. I will get my money back for the Blue Devil sealer.

I might put it on Craigslist just to see if anyone bites. I don't have to get back everything I put into it because I did drive it for a few months and that has value.

If I'm going to replace the engine, I'd just as soon do it right away, but I'm out of cash right now.

 

[dnsherrill]

if you get back everything you put into it, you are VERY fortunate...it's essentially a parts car, right?

 

[sprocket]

if you get back everything you put into it, you are VERY fortunate...it's essentially a parts car, right?

I wouldn't expect to get back what I have into it, but driving any car has value. You should to be able to put a monthly value on driving any car that has no car payment. After X number of months the car has essentially paid for itself.

I think it might be worth making it a daily driver. The transmission is strong, and most of the interior is in good shape. We were under the car yesterday and everything looks to be in good shape. The exhaust is good and most of the suspension looks OK. The steering is a little stiff. The tires are good. It is converted to springs and that is all new except the rear shocks.

There are many parts I can swap to another engine. Plugs, wires, water pump, injectors.

The body is well, passable I guess. Very little if any rust. It has had some questionable body work and paint done to it. This is why as a daily driver it would be OK. I sure wouldn't agonize over keeping the body in pristine condition because it's never going to be unless someone wants to sink at least $3000 into it.