1987 Acura Legend Not starting when WARM

1987 ACURA LEGEND
218,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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KEVTBEAR57
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recent purchase... lots of JIMMY RIG... custom AIR breather... vacuum seems not to leak... custom EXAUST... ? ... fixed already.. 1) New NEG ground to battery, 2) ALT connection, 3) basic tune up, plugs, rotor and cap... "the car will start and run fine... on say a 30 mile trip... but when U drive it around town with stopping and starting ... the car will fail to start... when it does it appears to have FLOODED, and lots of black smoke out pipe... for short period of time.... " always seems to start and run fine from being COLD.... the car is CLEAN... I am thinking that ... youngsters have only own it a short time... meaning any after market custom work... some have said.. it is a FUEL REGULATOR issue?... they have the FUEL PUMP.... wired into a toggle switch ... apparently for security...?

Any IDEA's would be greatly appreciated....OK

kevtbear57@hotmail.com

Kevin
Jun 21, 2009 at 2:15 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi Kevin,

Seems the problem is fuel related and possible causes are :

1. Engine coolant temperature sensor.
2. Fuel pressure regulator.
3. Fuel injectors.
4. ECM.

Is the Check Engine Light showing when engine is running?
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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KEVTBEAR57
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many things "jimmy rigging" on this car and one is that the 'fuel press regulator" is a used one and they have it in there upside down and it was pinching off a vacuum line.

One of my things is that I am attempting to do all of this on the cheap,sad but true.

"fuel press regulator" is $140.00 to $68.00 so still looking for or hoping that is not the problem and something else, but it is a process of elimination.

Thanks you have been very helpful.
Kevin
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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KHLOW2008
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You may try the scrap yard for the parts, should cost almost nothing.

What do you mean by pinching off a vacumn line? The pressure regulator needs a vacumn line to reduce the pressure during idling and if the vacumn is not working, it would run rich.
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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KEVTBEAR57
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pictures being worth a few words.


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/372086_IMAG0016_1.jpg


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/372086_IMAG0017_1.jpg


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/372086_IMAG0018_2.jpg

Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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KEVTBEAR57
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When cold car starts and runs, generally smooth, when I first got it was loading up when running now only seems to load up, when it is warm and not wanting to start when the engine is hot. meaning if you stop the car it will start right back up, but if it sits for a period of time then it has trouble starting?

Sorry my internet connection very inconsistent here.

Again thanks.
Kevin
kevtbear57@hotmail.com
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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Yes, the pressure regulator is wrong side up. Most probably the previous guy could not find a replacement part or the part installed is of a higher pressure.

If the engine is difficult to start when it is hot, we need to know if it is fuel or ignition related.

When engine could not start, check for ignition sparks. If it is available, check the fuel pressure.

Knowing what is missing would enable us to understand the problem.

Does the Check Engine Light come on when driving? This model should have the LED on the ECU sight window.
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:38 PM
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