1990 Riv engine flooding

[digitalmel]

My riv will not start after it has set for more than 8 hours or so. The mechanic is stumped. No codes when on diag computer. Cranks, catches, backfires in engine then dies. Takes a good hour to start but have to jump with another car. Ruined starter trying to start. Engine was massivly flooded, several times even without pumping. Started acting up during slushy nasty weather and hasn't been right since. Recommends changing starter(duh) and injectors. Has anyone had this problem?? I love my riv and don't want a new car!

[HotZ28]

This sounds more like a weak spark to me. Keep in mind, the injectors will fire repeatedly during attempted starts and if you do not have sufficient ignition to fire the plugs, the fuel remains unburned, therefore, flooding the cylinders. (I am sure your injectors are fine)! Once the plugs are wet and saturated with fuel, they become even more difficult to fire. One other thing to remember; pumping the accelerator on a fuel injected engine has no effect on fuel delivery! It only allows more air into the engine. If a fuel injected engine and all associated sensors are operating properly, you should never need to touch the accelerator while starting. In fact, it is recommended that you do not!!

Since your car is a 90- model year, I assume you have the Magnavox ignition.The Magnavox system is sensitive to moisture and when it becomes saturated, it is nearly impossible to dry out on its own! Take the ICM/coil pack assembly off the car and place it in an oven @ 120 deg for several hours. Clean the wiring terminal with contact cleaner and lubricate with dielectric grease. You might eventually want to upgrade to the Delco type ignition with the three coils on top.

You can check the coil resistance; however, that will not reveal the whole problem, if the ICM is moisture saturated.

Note: The specs for resistance are,
Magnavox ignition:
Primary (ohms) = 0.5-0.8 (ohms)
Secondary = (k-ohm) 9.0-12.0

[MAYTAGMAN]

I have a '90 Rivera. When my dad owned it it every once in awhile (when you were in a hurry to get somewhere) the engine would just sling over, and not fire a lick. When you got in there good to check it, it would start, and run for weeks, till it wanted to cut up again. After replacing a part of the ign coil. wires, plugs, he was told he needed to replace the crank sensor. The balancer pulley was so tight he couldn't get it loose. So he took a pair of needle nose pliers & barely twisted (tweaked) the terminals in the crank sensor, where the wire harness plugs into, then plugged harness back in, which tightened the harness connections. She aint missed a lick to this day. What I would do is pull all the plugs. Turn engine over and blow excessive fuel out, install new plugs (Check proper plug gap of course) make sure crank sensor connections are tight (or install new crank sensor) and see if she fires!

[HotZ28]

Welcome to AF! Please read: Posting in closed or outdated threads