'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 27
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From: Indianapolis
'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
87 2.0 1BBL, motor wont start if it has sat for longer than 24 hours, and it has just rained (it sits outside). It will crank to all get out. It is definitely spark issues (starter fluid doesnt help). It is a daily driver and if it is during the week, there are no problems. I think something is getting moisture on it and then not allowing it to spark. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jared
Thanks,
Jared
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Harrisburg USA
'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
If it were my truck?? The first thing I'd do is check the entire secondary system (from the coil out to the plugs). Make sure the boot on the coil is in good shape, and water tight & clean. Make sure ALL the boots on the distributor cap are in good shape, clean, & air tight. Make sure all the boots on the plugs are also in good shape, clean, & air tight. Check the inside of the dist cap. I spray WD-40 all over the inside of my cap, HEAVILY! I mean I literally WASH IT OUT with the WD-40. After most of the WD-40 solvent has dried, put it back together, & try it out. BE SURE YOU GIVE IT SOME TIME TO DRY OUT! WD-40 is flammable. Your dist cap could be blown into a million little pieces if you try to start it too soon. Be sure to check the rotor also. You can wash it off also with WD-40. Use a silicone-based electrical lubricant (clear grease) on all your boots & connectors from the coil all the way to the plugs. Let us know how it goes.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 27
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From: Indianapolis
'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
Well, all I can say is that Im glad I have a backup vehicle. It took 3 days before it would start again, i.e. it finally started last night. It just started right up. I drove it last night and today and it runs like a top. There is obviously nothing wrong with any particular part of the ignition system, just water/moisture. The battery is new, the starter cranks to all get out. The coil looks really rusty and old, but when it runs it runs. Ive never heard of a coil to cause things like this. Im not too up on distributors so Im alittle wary of digging around in there. I am going to buy some silicone grease and hit everything this weekend. Im also going to fabricate a rubber gasket of sorts for the distributor cap since I suspect that to be the location of the problem. Hopefully after all of that greasing, it wont happen again...
Thanks for the advice, I hope it pans out.
Jared
Thanks for the advice, I hope it pans out.
Jared
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
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From: NJ USA
'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
Jared, based on my own experience, this REEKS of a distributor cap problem. It (or the rotor) could have excessively worn contact points (making any moisture present in the cap an easier path for the high voltage) or a crack in the shell (very possible).
Neither item is easily seen with the naked eye, but it’s fairly easy to troubleshoot. When it won’t start, pop the hood, pop off the cap and wipe the instead out with a clean, dry rag. If it starts, you got a either a bad cap or a bad seal at the point where it meets the distributor housing.
So, unless you know for certain that the cap/rotor are not due for replacement, I would pop in a new cap and rotor ASAP. Shouldn't cost too much (<$20 for both) and it’s a regular maintenance item anyway. If you're leery about doing this yourself, have a mechanic do it.
Also, don’t fabricate any gaskets for the cap. You could mess-up the critical alignment between the cap and rotor.
Neither item is easily seen with the naked eye, but it’s fairly easy to troubleshoot. When it won’t start, pop the hood, pop off the cap and wipe the instead out with a clean, dry rag. If it starts, you got a either a bad cap or a bad seal at the point where it meets the distributor housing.
So, unless you know for certain that the cap/rotor are not due for replacement, I would pop in a new cap and rotor ASAP. Shouldn't cost too much (<$20 for both) and it’s a regular maintenance item anyway. If you're leery about doing this yourself, have a mechanic do it.
Also, don’t fabricate any gaskets for the cap. You could mess-up the critical alignment between the cap and rotor.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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'87 2.0, Doesnt start after rain...
The best way to seal a cap, is like the "mud runner's" do it. Put a VERY thin layer of "G.E." silicone at the contact point of the cap and dist. It would be best if you make certain it is dry first otherwise you lock in moisture.
