Car starts and dies

OLIVER STARKWEATHER

MEMBER
1986 FORD THUNDERBIRD
100,000 MILES

Will run if given enough gas at start up. Runs if I remove 2 spark plugs not clogged catalytic converter, removed catalytic converter

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 8:12 PM

6 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

"if given enough gas". What does that mean? If you pour gas into the air cleaner housing? Or if you hold the pedal to the floor?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 8:25 PM

OLIVER STARKWEATHER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

If I push the pedal to the floor when I turn it over it keeps running when I let up it stalls. The car has fuel injectors and it is impossible to pour gas into the system.I guess what it doesnt do is idle. But then why does it run when I remove 2 plugs? The last time this happened it was the catalytic converter clogging up. That is not the problem this time.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 10:45 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Check the spark on those 2 plugs. Check compression all around.

Fuel injection: Pushing the pedal to the floor means opening an air valve, not adding gas, or "giving it gas."

Check fuel pressure. Check to see if the injectors are being pulsed or they're staying energized. Check for vacuum leaks.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 11:18 PM

OLIVER STARKWEATHER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Its not the plugs. It will run if I put the pedal to the floor, or if I remove 2 plugs. If I only remove 1 plug it runs better but not that well. If your catalytic converter clogs up you ca nremove 2 plugs and the car will run.I removed the catalytic converter so thats not the problem. My guess is that removing the plugs lets air into the intake manifold.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 AT 2:42 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Removing the plugs lets air into those 2 cylinders only. A plugged catalytic converter will normally only affect driving performance, not starting.

You need to determine WHY it wants to start when you remove 2 plugs. Does it matter which 2, or any 2? Have all of the plug wires been removed recently?

Which engine does this car have?