HELP HELP HELP I dont want to hate the 4AGE

[JMcKibbin]

SO I know it's a crime... but my AE86 (86 GTS) hasn't ran in about 3 years. I had a head gasket failure and I replaced the head gasket and it just sat. I just got the bug after I purchased all new suspension and want this thing running again.

On to the problem. The car will not start after it has been sitting for a while first try but if I sit on the starter and crank it multiple times to the point my battery wants to die, he (his name is Wall-e) will finally start. Initially it had a stupid high idle 2200 rpm and at the time I did not have my timing bracket for behind the cam gears. I was about 3 teeth off. I fixed the timing and made sure they were at top dead center and properly placed. Still the same issue that it will not start until multiple tries. It at least idles at 800rpm but still will not start on the first try. There is no throttle response whatsoever out of the car when it is running, even in neutral just pressing the gas peddle. As well when it is running it smokes like a grandmother playing bingo mainly exhaust manifold side. All my grounds I believe are in. I just keep running into multiple problems where it could be this ...no try this... no try this. I truly want to love this motor inside of this car, but its really starting to wear on me.

Any help would be appreciated when I get home from work today Im going to check my coil igniter to see if that's intermediate, as well as my battery voltages when it is running to check the alternator. Replacing my spark plugs and checking for vacuum leaks but I cant find a damn thing.
Again Please please please help I don't want to hate this motor.

[oldeskewltoy]

the engine runs... so it isn't likely coil or igniter.

Not sure why it requires so much cranking to start.... could be so many things

As to idling ok, and then nothing adding throttle... might be a throttle position sensor(TPS), or it could be air is getting into the engine without it being metered. Non metered air doesn't get fuel added.

[JMcKibbin]

So check the MAF, and around the intake for leaks and make sure TPS is working... I shall try that.

[jondee86]

One thing at a time. First check your cold start injector is working...

AE86 16V - Cold Start Injector System - TECH

Once that is confirmed, if needs be we can look elsewhere for the cause
of the not starting problem and the failing to respond to throttle problem.

Cheers... jondee86

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I have started to disregard the CSI for being a culprit for notable starting issues.
Many people run without them without any issue.
Still not a bad idea to see if it's working or not.

You said it had a headgasket failure then didn't run in about 3 years.
Did you go through the fuel system? After 3 years you would want to drain the tank, change the fuel filter and get the injectors cleaned by someone like witchhunter.
Bad gas, gummed up fuel system or clogged injectors could all cause these problems.

I would double check your cam timing.
Also do a compression test.

[saiGone]

@yoshi. I believe Jondee is trying to rule out CSI for a good reason. Cars will start off the CSI only, with the main injectors doing nothing. Can confuse the person doing the trouble shooting into thinking the main system is functioning properly.

[JMcKibbin]

I have changed the tank the fuel pump and the fuel filter resealed all the injectors and replaced the open circuit relay. I know I'm getting fuel to the motor as it will start and now remains running. But the initial trying to get it to start and the throttle response is being a piece of poop.

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I have changed the tank the fuel pump and the fuel filter resealed all the injectors and replaced the open circuit relay. I know I'm getting fuel to the motor as it will start and now remains running. But the initial trying to get it to start and the throttle response is being a piece of poop.

Send your injectors out for cleaning. They could very well cause this problem. Even if you get it running right it is still quite possible for them to spray uneven enough to damage the motor.

[allencr]

What's the compression?
All cyls. affected equally when the ignition and/or fuel to them is disabled?
Ground wires under the intake manifold????????
What happens when it doesn't start, other then not running, any symptoms when continuously being cranked??? Does it seem to almost start, fires/pops/hiccups/farts/backfires/struggles to start, any thing at all different then if being cranked over with the EFI fuse pulled?

[JMcKibbin]

Initially I did a compression test and it read 28psi all around but that was do to bad cam timing i guess so i went and reset that and its starting and idling better now still real hard to initially start and no throttle response. But I haven't gotten a new compression test done. And it defintately pops real quick, I connected the ground wire for the ECU under the intake for the ECU. I have not pulled my EFI fuse. Going back out to work on her now.

[JMcKibbin]

http://youtu.be/CzH7VbqTnAE This is what its doing for more of a visual.

[allencr]

Code/s????

Cam and/or ignition timing.

[JMcKibbin]

Ill jump the diagnosis wire tonight and give you any codes. Also I know the basics of it and Im sure there are forums on it but how do I check for codes I know I have to jump the wires in the port then what. Also I know that the 4AGE is batch fire is it possible I have the injectors in the wrong spots for it to be acting up. I know Im a newb and didn't lable the injectors when I tool them out.