1994 astro AWD flooding

again, 1994 astro, AWD, 4.3, 210k miles, engine rplaced some time in the middle of that, but not sure exactly when. it floods when you try to start it--so badly, that unless the pedal is to the floor, it will. not. start.

get it running, and is misses and misfires like a pig for 5 minutes--blows black smoke. have to keep foot on it to keep it going. after it's hot, and i mean HOT.. not warm, it will mostly clear up, there's an ocasional miss, and some more rich-running...

the CEL is NOT on, and yes it works, and yes i pulled the codes, but it simply said that the 02 sensor was reading a rich condition (well duh). getting good and consistant spark on all cylinders.

things replaced in general are: plugs, wires, cap and rotor (which looked fine, distributor inside is rusty however), cleaned idle air control valve and the little sensor in the tube in front of the throttle body. cleaned throttle body.

lookin for some more suggestions, tests, etc..

seems like it's flooding MUCH more on the passenger side of the engine, if that makes any sense (more noise, more misfires, everything over there).

appreciate any help on this..

8th digit of the VIN = W or Z?

knew i was forgetting something,

the engine code is W.

Check the fuel pressure first. Should be 60psi or better to even start. Also, turn the key to on, let the pump run and stop then watch the pressure. If it drops off rapidly, you probably will need to replace your "spider".

from other posts i've seen mention of these spider injector things..

what are they? are they the whole injector assembly, or a piece that isnt going to cost 300$?

read in another post that some lines, or a pressure regulator can leak on the inside? i dunno.. guess it's time to get a pressure tester. go from there.

thanks :D

You're on the right track. The regulator in the spider can go bad and leak fuel into the intake, the poppets could be loose and leaking fuel into the intake. Also the fuel lines running to the spider could be bad and leaking as well. The pressure test will tell you if you need to take the intake manifold off to find the cause.

The spiders are expensive. I think I paid $250 for mine on ebay. But that was for a AC Delco part too.

The fuel pressure regulator, however, is about $35 at AutoZone and is not that bad to replace. It comes with the torx security bit needed to remove/install the FPR on the spider with it in place in the motor. You'll need an upper intake/plenum gasket as well.

If you're flooding more on the passenger side, that's the culprit.

You'll need a 10mm deep socket along with a screwdriver that takes bits.