1998 Blazer...No Start/Hard Start

[mattfra]

Moderators....yes I did search the above!! I thought I'd add my twist on all the problems/solutions found via the search engine.

1998 Blazer LT 4.3L/Auto trans, 2WD, 95,500 miles (10k annual miles)
Yesterday I went out to start our family car, our trusty Blazer. It had sat for about 24 hrs since we last had run it, it cranked and cranked until I smelled gas...would not start.

I pulled the cap and rotor and cleaned off a small amount of corrosion on the contacts. I reinstalled. The cap, rotor, wires and Bosch plugs only have about 12k on them. Pulled a spark plug on the drivers and passengers side. Both very wet with fuel...not fouled looking though. Spark looked good. I reseated all connections at the ECM and checked fuses.
I let the truck sit for about 1.5hr and then went out and pumped the gas and then held it to the floor like an old carbureted car and cranked it. It cranked, sputtered and then started!!! I let it run for about 8 minutes, shut it off and restarted NO problem. Again this morning for church it started fine too.

I bought the truck off my brother, he told me the first owner had the fuel pump replaced under warranty. The fuel filter has about 12k miles on it too.

I've got three theories.
1. My new battery (8 months old) has a slight current draw while it sits (security system?) and then gives a lower voltage to the fuel pump on start up?
2. Water in gas (it has been very humid here in NC). I've been adding a bottle of water dry about every other tank. It seems like the past few months when it was cold it would have a "miss" to it. Once warmed up it was ok. The water dry seemed to have a positive effect.
3. Slight amount of moisture in dist. cap?

Thoughts anyone?
Matt

[drdd]

I'd start by charging your battery. I'd also switch to ACDelco plugs.

Originally Posted by mattfra

Moderators....yes I did search the above!! I thought I'd add my twist on all the problems/solutions found via the search engine.

1998 Blazer LT 4.3L/Auto trans, 2WD, 95,500 miles (10k annual miles)
Yesterday I went out to start our family car, our trusty Blazer. It had sat for about 24 hrs since we last had run it, it cranked and cranked until I smelled gas...would not start.

I pulled the cap and rotor and cleaned off a small amount of corrosion on the contacts. I reinstalled. The cap, rotor, wires and Bosch plugs only have about 12k on them. Pulled a spark plug on the drivers and passengers side. Both very wet with fuel...not fouled looking though. Spark looked good. I reseated all connections at the ECM and checked fuses.
I let the truck sit for about 1.5hr and then went out and pumped the gas and then held it to the floor like an old carbureted car and cranked it. It cranked, sputtered and then started!!! I let it run for about 8 minutes, shut it off and restarted NO problem. Again this morning for church it started fine too.

I bought the truck off my brother, he told me the first owner had the fuel pump replaced under warranty. The fuel filter has about 12k miles on it too.

I've got three theories.
1. My new battery (8 months old) has a slight current draw while it sits (security system?) and then gives a lower voltage to the fuel pump on start up?
2. Water in gas (it has been very humid here in NC). I've been adding a bottle of water dry about every other tank. It seems like the past few months when it was cold it would have a "miss" to it. Once warmed up it was ok. The water dry seemed to have a positive effect.
3. Slight amount of moisture in dist. cap?

Thoughts anyone?
Matt

[BlazerLT]

Yip, get rid of the Bosch plats, they wll cause problems with our engines.

Also, I would change the oil ASAP seing it is probably impregated with fuel.

[DINO55]

I pulled the cap and rotor and cleaned off a small amount of corrosion on the contacts. I reinstalled. The cap, rotor, wires and Bosch plugs only have about 12k on them.

Get new AC Delco Plat plugs, and a new Cap and Rotor on it, (Cleaning is only a temp fix) and change the fuel filter. When I bought my truck last year the owner said he changed the fuel filter on it 1 year ago, when I changed it, the filter was making noise when I shook it, It fell apart inside and was restricting the flow of gasoline and pressure. in your case (water in your tank) you will see a major difference. Also check your sparkplug wires for leaks. Good luck...

[mattfra]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
It started fine again this morning....but....

I think I am going to change the oil, plugs, cap, rotor and fuel filter. I may also drain my tank.

I was talking to a mechanic friend (works at a Ford Stealership) and he says he's been seeing a lot of water in the fuel pruchased at Citgo. That's where we always get our fuel!!

Thanks again for the help....

Matt

[BlazerLT]

Also replace the air filter and the PCV valve.

[mattfra]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Also replace the air filter and the PCV valve.

Thought I would bring this thread to a close for good!
Well...months later and procrastinating due to the weather being fairly dry the Blazer has had no trouble starting. A couple weeks ago it rained like crazy and sure enough the old beast would only crank and crank but not start. I decided that it sure seemed like this all happened since I last replaced the distributor cap and rotor (aftermarket Wells brand) about 16k miles ago.
Two weeks ago I installed a new AC Delco cap and rotor. It has rained heavily since then. It has started everytime.
The Delco cap seems to seat better on the distributor housing too.
Anyhow, a simple fix...case closed.