For the past few months i've had a hard time starting my 1996 disco (114k on it). it has been taking a few seconds of holding the key down and then it sputters on... sometimes giving a quick stab at the gas pedal helps but still takes 5-10 seconds. I'm worried i'm going to burn out the starter. also it smokes at the initial firing! i have just replaced the plugs (bosch platinum +4) and wires (magnecor 8mm). but it still isn't functioning properly. I've had the random misfire code and a misfiring code for cyl 7 as well... i'm assuming these are from the same problem. i used stp injector cleaner and check them for firing and all seems good there... any ideas on the situation?

would have fixed this a few months ago but the disco budget ran dry b/c of a faulty brake pad that fell off and i scored the rotor severly! just replaced the rear rotors and pads (and the wheel bearings while i had it all apart)... what a fun job...

any help on the starting problem would be greatly appreciated!!

Mark

 

Sounds like a rich startup. What color were the old plugs and what color is the smoke when it comes out the exhaust?

 

Yeah... the plugs were all black and the smoke is mostlydark grey with some spitting... no doubt it is running rich. i did change the rear o2 sensors about a year ago when their codes came up. any suggestions?

 

What kind of fuel are you running? How long since your last induction cleaning?

 

I'm filling up with 89 octane all the time... never have done a induction cleaning... is that something one can do on his own?

 

premium only. The highest you can get.... always.

Induction cleaning is kinda easy to do. Take the vacuum line off the drivers side valve cover. Suck about 2/3rds of a can of Seafoam in it with the engine running. Shut it off, wait 10 minutes. Fire it up and hold you breath. It will smoke like a pig for a few minutes. I drove mine around the block so I wouldn't tick off my neighbors too bad. The instructions are on the can, too if you need them. Don't put it in the crankcase, but you can use it in the fuel tank to clean the injectors as well.....

 

If you are not getting any codes other than the miss fire #7.

It sound like the injector one or more maybe leaking down,
or the pressure regulator may not be working, its the little vacuum
pod next to the fuel rail left rear its has vacuum lines going to it
that need to be cheched.

Or the fuel pump does not have the pressure it needs, fuel filter
changed how long ago?

Before starting try turning the key on with out starting just so you can here the fuel pump work or so the lights come on on the dash.
Do this three times and then try starting it if this helps you are losing
fuel pressure.

I take it that this is hot or cold.

 

You may want to give me a call, sounds like a number of things going on and easier to talk about it.
303-862-7680
Colorado between 7 am and 8 pm

 

I want to bump this thread back up to the top, as I have been having the same issues and I really need to get rid of the misfires so I can pass emissions. Truck smells rich and old plugs were black...here is a list of what I have done.

1. New Fuel Pump (Dealer work about 12mo ago, they said it was loosing pressure)
2. New IAC
3. Magnacore Wires
4. Bosch +4s
5. Induction Cleaning (smoked like hell)
6. Found another MAF to test and swapped out but didn't seem to make a difference.

I am concerned about the fuel pressure regulator since the vacuume line going to it seems like its not connected well (I tried to re connect, might replace hose. I tired the 'prime the fuel pump' thing but it still starts hard.

Note: when engine is warm, IE after filling with gas...anything less than about 20 mins, it fires right up in under a second.

 

Sorry i never got back to you guys... I ordered a pressure regulator and a few hoses (valve cover to plenum) and replaced them and the DISCO is back to normal!!

Had a few mishapps on the trail that now requires me to have a new front and rear bumper! it was a big rock... so that is next on my list!