I'm going to snag my codes at lunch. Engine light is not on, but there has GOT to be something stored up in there.

Ok my 93 VE got steam cleaned over the weekend, and had been sitting without being started for about a week while brakes, hoses and lines and the control arm bushing changeout took place. Not in a hurry, obviously.

SO, When I first start it up to go home with it, it idled really low, like it wanted to die. It didnt die.. but when I tapped the gas just a little, to see what response I get, it shuddered and puffed, then ran up to 3k or so. There was about a 1-2 second lag.

Ran it home, going 80+, no traffic, 75 miles away. No problems.

Let it sit overnight, wont start in the morning. It tried hard, but shut off... this took 4 seconds. Tried this 3 times. I imagined that the cylinder was flooded. I also wondered if my Kanik made the new belts too tight. Would that slow the idle to the point where it wouldnt want to wake up?
On the 4th try it started and puffed and choked, 300-400 rpm or so, barely awake, and when I tapped the gas for response, it went LOWER and then rose a little. I did a response tap 4-5 times, same response every time.

Wanted to test it out, and get it some gas, so took it down the street, I'd say a 1/2 mile, maybe 3/4. Almost shut itself off at the light. Id say it nearly hit 100 rpm before it tried to charge itself back up.

>>This morning, I didnt expect anything greater. It died only once, and the 2nd try I started it with the pedal on the floor. It took about 8 seconds of choking before the engine revved up to where I wanted it. Then it was pretty smooth after that.

Work is about 14 miles away, and it didnt die, but choked a low RPM at one light. And another time I was trying to get past a slow truck, lit the power and was pulling about 4k rpm when it just stopped, and idled on me, while the pedal was still down. I had to release and try to re-apply, and it wouldnt let me.

So thats my new story. and its not naptime yet. Based on that, without my codes yet, any ideas?

(Lets remember my valve cover gaskets still need replacing badly, and I had my #6 spark plug SOAKED with oil.)

 

Get that taken care of asap. Beyond that, the steam clean may have damaged the coils somehow, at least all this sounds like bad coils. I dont think tight belts would make it run that bad on their own, but yeah loosen them up a bit if you think its too tight.

 

Look at wiring connectors / sensors, and coils. Steam cleaning could have an effect on any of the sensors or electronics in the engine.

 

First off, you most likely damaged something with the steam clean. Next time, roll up your sleeves, grab some degreaser and go to work in there. There's no way tight belts are going to slow an engine down to the point that it can't run properly, it would just shred the belts off at that point. And for the love of God, change that valve cover gasket out already...ugh