94 Tracker will not start in the wet, HELP PLEASE!

[main_man_vern]

At first I thought it was the gas freezing because it was winter time when the issue started, but now it is spring/summer and I have narrowed it down to a problem starting in the rain/snow/or dew. If I let it crank over for 30 seconds at a try for about 5 to 20 tries it will eventually start. I have replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs and spark plug wires and I had a mechanic verify that my fuel pressure is good. Once the enging gets warm it will restart in the rain fine even sitting for half the day. Can anyone out there help me out? I would really hate to get right of the vehicle. It has been super relialable and decent on gas. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, DJ

[chocho1971]

Have a 91 had same problem. Try the rubber o-ring under dist cap it is dealer only item it was rather pricey. You could probaly match it up at auto supply but I didn't know untill ordered it prepay.

[paperboyd]

I have 92 geo tracker with same intermitant problem for years.... still haven't nailed it down.... sigh....

[main_man_vern]

Originally Posted by chocho1971

Have a 91 had same problem. Try the rubber o-ring under dist cap it is dealer only item it was rather pricey. You could probaly match it up at auto supply but I didn't know untill ordered it prepay.

Do you mena the distributor cap seal? The only o-ring is at the bottom of the distributor near the gear drive and I am not sure how that would affect the peformance.

[paperboyd]

I'm becoming more convinced my problems have to do with the computer... Although the computer just recently threw off code 13 for the oxygen sensor on my 92 tracker... It didn't throw that code for many years I have had problems and did basic tune ups just to get unsatifactory results. Luckily I haven't thrown money at the fuel pump and confirmed I have adequate pressure. I'm most recently concerned about the pressure (70lbs) i'm averaging on all 4 cylinders. This is way below the specs.... My tracker has always run smooth at above idle an has no concerning engine noise. I most positive the computer wont throw codes for it's own failures.... I just want to be sure it's the computer before I go and rebuild it. So I have multiple problems to figure out and I probably won't be able to start my tracker with only 70lbs of compression on the cylinders.... I have about 150,000 miles on my tracker.... has anyone had compression issues that went favorably without doing an engine overhaul?

[main_man_vern]

Originally Posted by paperboyd

I'm becoming more convinced my problems have to do with the computer... Although the computer just recently threw off code 13 for the oxygen sensor on my 92 tracker... It didn't throw that code for many years I have had problems and did basic tune ups just to get unsatifactory results. Luckily I haven't thrown money at the fuel pump and confirmed I have adequate pressure. I'm most recently concerned about the pressure (70lbs) i'm averaging on all 4 cylinders. This is way below the specs.... My tracker has always run smooth at above idle an has no concerning engine noise. I most positive the computer wont throw codes for it's own failures.... I just want to be sure it's the computer before I go and rebuild it. So I have multiple problems to figure out and I probably won't be able to start my tracker with only 70lbs of compression on the cylinders.... I have about 150,000 miles on my tracker.... has anyone had compression issues that went favorably without doing an engine overhaul?

How do you check for compression? What tools do you need? If you want to email me this info and it is not that expensive I would be glad to give you my findings. [email protected]

[chocho1971]

The o ring sets between cap and a piece of plastic that is under the rotor. When I ordered the part I thought it was the hard plastic but when it came in it was a rubber o-ring costing me $20. Tried every thing to get it to start that was the only thing that helped it has been fine for 2 years now.

[main_man_vern]

UPTADE: My problem seems to be fixed... here is what I did... I treid to order the o-ring recommended in the post but it is no longer available. So I decided to replace my cap and rotor. I replaced the cap an rotor when it was raining out and the inside of the distributor cap was bone dry. With this finding I was convinced the problem was not distirbutor related. The last part I replaced, which seems to have fixed my problem was the ignition coil. So if you are having similar problems try replacing the coil.

All of the parts replaced: plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil and still much cheaper than taking to a mechanic only to have them scratch their heads and say "I don't know"