164 Hard Starting and Rough Idle Fixed

["John Wiltshire" <John.Wiltshire@domain.elided>]

Greetings Alfistsi!

Just thought that an update on hard starting of the 164 might be useful.

Some weeks ago, I began to get the hard-starting syndrome for which 164s
are renowned, and the in-tank fuel hose splitting is generally blamed as
the culprit.

The symptoms were hard starting - to get a reliable start, it was necessary
to turn on the ignition and wait for 15-20 seconds for fuel pressure before
cranking.  Even then getting a reliable start could be hit and miss, and
the idle was a bit lumpy and grumpy.

A few weeks ago, I pulled the fuel pump assembly from the tank (a slightly
different arrangement in my '89 than is shown in  the Cardisc - e-mail me
if you would like details).  The short hose had been replaced some time in
the past, however the hose was of unknown quality, the clamps definitely
weren't EFI grade, and the hose seemed a little loose.  The hose didn't
have any splits, but I replaced it anyway with EFI grade hose and clamps.

The first-time start made me feel great, but it didn't last long and I was
still getting a lot of inconsistency on the starting - sometimes I'd get a
good start, other times I would have to do the turn-on and wait routine.  I
was obviously losing fuel pressure somewhere.

One of the tell-tale symptoms was a little whiff of fuel when I had a hard
start.  Last week I took some time to have another look at the problem.
All of the fuel connections were tight and sound.  I pulled the vacuum hose
to the fuel pressure regulator (between the FPR and intake plenum), and
fuel spurted out - problem found!  Obviously the rubber diaphragm inside
had failed.  A new FPR has restored easy starts and smooth idle (and thanks
to the digesti that helped me find one after my post last week).

Hope that this info is useful - if you suspect that in-tank hose, check the
FPR first - it will take seconds and might save you an afternoon in the
boot sniffing petrol fumes (although your family will probably find this
highly amusing - mine did!).

Cheers,
John Wiltshire
Sydney Australia



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