Hi guys,
I hope I'm not breaking this group's netiquette by posting a repair question, but I could not find a recent FAQ for r.a.m.f.m.
Anyway, I've got a 1998 Musting GT convertible with no major modifications that I bought new. It's got just under 100,000 miles. Lately, it's been having an intermittent starting problem. I think the problem only happens when the engine is warm, but I am not 100% sure of this.
Anyway, the engine cranks fine and occasionally a cylinder or several fire and the engine sputters, but it will not start.
However, so far, at least, I've been able to get the car started by waiting 20-30 minutes and trying again. If the car is cold (has been sitting overnight, for example) I have not yet had this problem.
When the engine is running, it runs smoothly, and even idles smoothly once started.
I (think I have) ruled out:
- bad gas (happened on different tanks of gas from different vendors) - dirt/sludge at bottom of gas tank (happens near full or near empty) - dirty injectors (well, I ran a bottle of STP injector cleaner through the tank, for what that's worth) - battery (the engine cranks vigorously)
I suspect the fuel pump, filter, etc, but don't want to go replacing parts willy-nilly just to find out.
Because the problem is intermittent, and I can't drive the car to a mechanic when it won't start, I am having a hard time getting it diagnosed!
Any help would be appreciated. By th way, I'm in the CA Bay Area, so a mechanic recommendation would also be appreciated!
thanks, Dave J jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com