FE446 running wierd when cold?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
FE446 running wierd when cold?
It will turn over and fire and try to idle for a while, but being completely cold it won't stay running without some help on the throttle. That's the way it's been most of the time I've had it. But now, it really struggles when I try to give that little bit of throttle to keep it running and warm it up. This is a recent problem. Before, I could easily find that sweet spot and let it pur for a minute or so at 1500-2000rmp and it would warm up and then run fine.
Now, I have to let it idle on the edge of dying until it gets warm enough to accept some throttle.
I hear a slight whistling sound that could be a small vacuum leak. Would that cause all these cold start issues? If so, what are the most common vacuum leaks?
Now, I have to let it idle on the edge of dying until it gets warm enough to accept some throttle.
I hear a slight whistling sound that could be a small vacuum leak. Would that cause all these cold start issues? If so, what are the most common vacuum leaks?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: iowa
well whats the choke doing?, it might not close enough, might come off too fast, or you could use some more fast idle rpm. The terminal on the alternator should be putting out 7-7.5 volts. .1 volts loss for every electrical connection is max. so it should be no more than .2 volts less at the choke than the "S" terminal on the alternator.
The vacuum leak may be a good possiblitly, since i recall you saying lately it been stumbling down low. I hope you ditched those printoseals, that i have seen in one of your gallerys, they are junk. Ratsmoker had problems with his, and I had a set on another motor that never ran yet but they fell apart after a few intake removals.
Another gasket, would be the carb/adaptor gaskets. You know if it turns out to be the intake, that would be a great time for a BT intake.
The vacuum leak may be a good possiblitly, since i recall you saying lately it been stumbling down low. I hope you ditched those printoseals, that i have seen in one of your gallerys, they are junk. Ratsmoker had problems with his, and I had a set on another motor that never ran yet but they fell apart after a few intake removals.
Another gasket, would be the carb/adaptor gaskets. You know if it turns out to be the intake, that would be a great time for a BT intake.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Well I havent studied it, but I remember you saying you went up a couple jet sizes also? If you new BG 850 has the electric choke and its working ...you might be running a little rich at Idle? Until it warms up and comes off the choke? Just a Guess!!
As far as Vacuum goes..you have a Vac meter in the truck..has it changed? the only thing I remember Greg you playing with lately was the carb...So with the choke Butterfly closed....it might be making a whistle there?
Russ
As far as Vacuum goes..you have a Vac meter in the truck..has it changed? the only thing I remember Greg you playing with lately was the carb...So with the choke Butterfly closed....it might be making a whistle there?
Russ
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
I ain't changed nothin' in the carb. At leats not since it was running good. This problem just started right before the good track times. Even on that trip I had a hard time getting through teh cold start and it would occasionally struggle on a hot start. That's why we thought maybe it was the plugs.
I used the Victor Nitro-Seals this last time on the intake.
If anything, that vacuum hose to the tranny is a good suspect. I might pull it and cap off the port to see if the problem and whistling goes away. I'll also chekc on the carb gaskets and bolts.
It's always somethin'
I used the Victor Nitro-Seals this last time on the intake.
If anything, that vacuum hose to the tranny is a good suspect. I might pull it and cap off the port to see if the problem and whistling goes away. I'll also chekc on the carb gaskets and bolts.
It's always somethin'
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,235
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tranny lines a good suspect... i had a cople of pinholes in my cars down on the tranny end and searched for days to find it.... its steel all but 2 inches on the end so i nver suspected it... stupid thing.. lol
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
Somewhere in all my changes, the steel line got replaced wit ha rubber hose. Combine that with all the hot exhaust goodies in that area and it gets burnt occasionally.
Is there supposed to be some kind of fitting at the end? I've just been pushing the hose into the vacuum flux capacitor inducticator gizmo. It seems to be shifting fine!
Is there supposed to be some kind of fitting at the end? I've just been pushing the hose into the vacuum flux capacitor inducticator gizmo. It seems to be shifting fine!
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Postmaster
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From: iowa
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
I think I'd be replacing that rubber if you have tranny fluid going thru it by hot Exhaust...If you have evr seen or had a tranny line fire!! There not purdy!!
I torched a new T-Bird that way!! LOL..
Russ
I torched a new T-Bird that way!! LOL..
Russ
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
Did you not just put new COLDER plugs in it?? Thus not giving enough heat for a good burn when motor is cold. Thus making cold starts not so easy.
I've heard that some racers used to put hot plugs in their car for warm up, then put their "cold" set in for racing. Seems like alot of work, even for a race car. Never worried about it. I just hold the throttle up to 1500 or so for a couple minutes to get race car warmed enough to idle.
I've heard that some racers used to put hot plugs in their car for warm up, then put their "cold" set in for racing. Seems like alot of work, even for a race car. Never worried about it. I just hold the throttle up to 1500 or so for a couple minutes to get race car warmed enough to idle.
Last edited by Freightrain; Nov 7, 2005 at 08:25 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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What's the weather like there? Could it be carb icing? Try putting the stock cleaner on with the hot air intake system.
Also, does the carb have a choke assembly or is it one of those ultra-high performance jobs with a choke delete?
Also, does the carb have a choke assembly or is it one of those ultra-high performance jobs with a choke delete?
Last edited by 76supercab2; Nov 7, 2005 at 01:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
The problem started before the recent plug change, but well after the last plug change (when it all came back together).
The weather has cooled slightly, but not enought to be an issue in my mind. It is central Texas.
I really noticed the sysmptons the day I got it inspected. I had mounted the factory airbox with one hose going to the valve cover breather outlet to make things look official. But, now I'm back to the BG open filter housing like before the problem. So, I can't imagine what might have happened that day, if anything.
The weather has cooled slightly, but not enought to be an issue in my mind. It is central Texas.
I really noticed the sysmptons the day I got it inspected. I had mounted the factory airbox with one hose going to the valve cover breather outlet to make things look official. But, now I'm back to the BG open filter housing like before the problem. So, I can't imagine what might have happened that day, if anything.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
I'm in the middle of a long shift (4 night shifts at 12+ hours apiece), so I have not got look at the truck in a while. I'll look wed. If I get up early enough wed. I might even install the shift kit and hit the track again.