Engine Trouble starting

87lx_ · May 20, 2022

I’m having problems with getting my new 87 5.0 lx to run properly and as well as when trying to start it I have to loosen the distributor and turn the timing up and down while the car is cranking to get it to start, once it does start and I set the timing to 10 degrees btc it’s runs good till it gets up to temp then the car backfires threw the exhaust doesn’t want to idle and will cut out if you give it more then 1/4 throttle

Car has new coil, distributor, plugs, fuel pressure is good

Any ideas ?

Gs1987GT · May 21, 2022

Are you setting timing with the spout disconnected? Or just getting it running, then setting it to 10 degrees with the spout still connected? If so your timing is going to be way off.
What's wrong with the OEM distributor? The current aftermarket ones are known to be problematic.

87lx_ · May 21, 2022

Gs1987GT said:
Are you setting timing with the spout disconnected? Or just getting it running, then setting it to 10 degrees with the spout still connected? If so your timing is going to be way off.
What's wrong with the OEM distributor? The current aftermarket ones are known to be problematic.

I’m setting it to 10 degrees with the spout out

Not sure about the oem distributor it had an aftermarket one in the car when I bought it

Gs1987GT · May 21, 2022

What is the history on the engine? Is this a fresh rebuild? Has it ever run?

Seems like the distributor may be installed a tooth off? Have you ever had the distributor out?

Have you checked compression?

I suspect you could have sensor issues and when the engine gets up to temp and goes into closed loop, they are showing themselves.

Have you dumped the codes?

87lx_ · May 21, 2022

Gs1987GT said:
What is the history on the engine? Is this a fresh rebuild? Has it ever run?

Seems like the distributor may be installed a tooth off? Have you ever had the distributor out?

Have you checked compression?

I suspect you could have sensor issues and when the engine gets up to temp and goes into closed loop, they are showing themselves.

Have you dumped the codes?

Car has 150,000km all original no rebuild or internal work from what I know of and was running good for about 120km when I first got the car

I changed the distributor when the car first broke down and isn’t a tooth out

I tried dumping the codes but computer won’t go into diagnostic mode, the the black and white wire from the OBD 1 port that also serves ground for the sensors is good but the white and red wire you jump to the ODB port doesn’t have continuity

Gs1987GT · May 21, 2022

That issue needs to be diagnosed and corrected first before you go any further.

Again, aftermarket distributors are known to be problematic so it may have failed internally, so it could be bad out of the box

87lx_ · May 23, 2022

Gs1987GT said:
That issue needs to be diagnosed and corrected first before you go any further.

Again, aftermarket distributors are known to be problematic so it may have failed internally, so it could be bad out of the box

I dumped the codes and only got code 87

Mustang5L5 · May 23, 2022

87lx_ said:
I dumped the codes and only got code 87

Is this a mass air swap car? The speed density cars don't normally monitor the fuel pump. Code 87 is a fuel pump circuit failure.

Did you run the codes with the engine running as well? That typically provides more useful info

87lx_ · May 23, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
Is this a mass air swap car? The speed density cars don't normally monitor the fuel pump. Code 87 is a fuel pump circuit failure.

Did you run the codes with the engine running as well? That typically provides more useful info

It’s a speed density car

When I dumped the codes with it running I didn’t get any

Mustang5L5 · May 23, 2022

Did you get a code 11 with it running? Or no codes at all?

Code 87 is likely an old code from when you may have stalled the car if it was pulled with engine off. I would erase your codes, do a quick engine startup and let it run, and then dump the codes ago.

You should get theee 11s if all good.

Key on, engine off: 11
Continuous Memory : 11
Key on, engine running: 11

So when someone says no codes, they should actually get 3 codes. So do you have 11s?

87lx_ · May 23, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
Did you get a code 11 with it running? Or no codes at all?

Code 87 is likely an old code from when you may have stalled the car if it was pulled with engine off. I would erase your codes, do a quick engine startup and let it run, and then dump the codes ago.

You should get theee 11s if all good.

Key on, engine off: 11
Continuous Memory : 11
Key on, engine running: 11

So when someone says no codes, they should actually get 3 codes. So do you have 11s?

I do have the 11s when running but no other codes

manicmechanic007 · May 23, 2022

11-10-11 is good (no codes)
The 10 is a separator code that separates the continuous codes from the memory codes

87lx_ · May 25, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
11-10-11 is good (no codes)
The 10 is a separator code that separates the continuous codes from the memory codes

There is no memory or current codes

manicmechanic007 · May 25, 2022

Generally the only trouble with no start that will not set a code is the fuel system
Pump and pressure regulator mainly
Double check you have 35psi fuel pressure at the rail
Double check it sparks real good (use a spark tester)(make it jump the 40kv gap on the tester)

87lx_ · May 25, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
Generally the only trouble with no start that will not set a code is the fuel system
Pump and pressure regulator mainly
Double check you have 35psi fuel pressure at the rail
Double check it sparks real good (use a spark tester)(make it jump the 40kv gap on the tester)

It was 38psi at the fuel rail and hood spark

I can get the car to start but only if I turn the distributor slightly while the car is cranking once it does start and timing is set it idles like crap and backfires through the exhaust

manicmechanic007 · May 25, 2022

Get it running and keep your foot in it
Keep it running around 2200 rpm until it clears out
The exhaust backfire might just be raw fuel in the exhaust from you jacking with the timing to get it started
So get it started, keep it running, set the timing, wait until it gets operating temperature before you shut it off
Then let it cool down completely and do it again

Engine Trouble starting

87lx_

New Member

Gs1987GT

Active Member

87lx_

New Member

Gs1987GT

Active Member

87lx_

New Member

Gs1987GT

Active Member

87lx_

New Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

87lx_

New Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

87lx_

New Member

manicmechanic007

87lx_

New Member

manicmechanic007

87lx_

New Member

manicmechanic007

Similar threads

Engine Trouble starting

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

New Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency