92 Buick V6 - no start

[Richard STL]

1992 Buick Century 152,000 miles
3.3L V6 MPI OHV 12V Engine Code N

I'm trying to keep the old buick going... again

Stopped running - I thought it was out of gas
added gas - no start, towed home
When it doesn’t start it sounds like the timing is off and sometimes backfires through the intake
changed fuel filter - no start
noticed I didn’t hear the fuel pump when ignition was turned on, tried to start with spray starter fluid, stumbled revved briefly, so I assumed it was the fuel pump
replaced fuel pump - no start
checked coil packs, found one coil pack with no resistance, replaced “bad” coil pack - no start

I just checked for spark, spark at all 6 plugs - no start (8/4/11)
I just watched the valve springs while cranking, the timing chain is apparently intact - no start (8/4/11)
I just check all the vacumn hoses (again), old but fine - no start (8/9/11)
I just checked the resistance on the injectors, all are fine - no start (8/9/11)
I just checked the compression 1-120psi, 3-115psi, 5-110psi, 2-150psi, 4-130psi, 6-110psi (8/18/11)
I just installed new plugs and wires, it started, smoked and ran. Now I've got water in the oil.

I guess it's time to decide if I want to rebuild the engine or junk it.....

Richard

[Richard STL]

After some online research and talking to some knowledgeable mechanic friends, I learned that it was a 99% chance it was the intake manifold gasket. I changed it and in the process found a bad valve lifter, replaced that. and it seems to run fine.

Not that the Buick has been resurrected again I guess I'll go ahead and make a major investment.. and replace the weak battery.

Richard

[tac]

(08-23-2011 01:50 PM)Richard STL Wrote:  After some online research and talking to some knowledgeable mechanic friends, I learned that it was a 99% chance it was the intake manifold gasket. I changed it and in the process found a bad valve lifter, replaced that. and it seems to run fine.

Not that the Buick has been resurrected again I guess I'll go ahead and make a major investment.. and replace the weak battery.

Richard

Thanks for the update on the engine Richard. Weird how the parts you expect to fail are never the ones actually at fault in things like this. Glad to hear it ended up being something simple like a lifter and that you got the gasket swapped out before any real damage occured.

Keep us in the loop on your efforts with the Buick!