Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help! (Read 1608 times) previous topic - next topic

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Car is a 1985 turbo coupe with 44,000 original miles. Car is dead bones stock other than a catback exhaust that a ler shop made. One day it started running like , then wouldnt make boost and eventually was almost impossible to start. The car falls on its face when you hit the throttle. Oil pressure spiked and then dropped again. Not smoking out of the exhaust, oil seems fine. Longest it has ran since it was parked without dying was 30 seconds. Won't even idle. Not really sure where to start here. Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #1 –
Well, I pulled the plugs and they are fuel soaked and black. The ignition coil and cap both look brand new and are not original equipment. The distributor itself is the original from the looks of it. Is there a way to test these coils?

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #2 –
The easiest way is to get a spark tester from your favorite parts store. If there is no spark, it's probably the TFI module rather than the coil.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #3 –
Pull the center wire and put a spark plug on it and ground the body. Crank it over to see if you have spark. Chances are you don't but check it. If you do check the fuel pressure and check the fuel pressure vacuum hose for fuel. If no fuel check fuel pressure should be around 40 PSI while cranking
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #4 –
Well, I grounded the plug and there is no spark. Sounds like these TFI modules have had a lot of issues from what I've been reading. Guess I'll pull it and go have it tested.

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #5 –
The TFI tested bad. I replaced it and the car still won't start. It has spark, it has fuel, the timing is on. It cranks all day long, but never tries to fire. Has brand new plugs and wires. I'm lost here.

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #6 –
It might have fuel, but inadequate pressure. When I bought my 85 Cougar XR-7 (same drivetrain as your T-bird), it only had 32k miles on it. It wouldn't start either. The three main problems with it were:

1) TFI module (I knew this from having other 80s fords)

2) The hose inside the gas tank that runs from the pump to the top plate of the sending unit had cracked (another common problem with our cars). This will cause you to have fuel, but very low pressure. To test this, get a fuel pressure gauge and connect it to the schrader valve on the fuel rail. As Tom said, you should see about 35-40 psi while cranking.

3) The big rubber flexible tube that runs from the turbo to the air cleaner pulls air through the VAM. This must be securely connected on both ends. Mine was disconnected on the VAM side.

Here is the thread where I worked through it:
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?23915-Alright-I-m-stumped-%28Solved!%29
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #8 –
Spark Fuel and compression it should start. Pull the plugs ans dry them out then try starting it again. Also check fuel pressure what is IT???
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #9 –
Thanks guy. I put brand new plugs in and no luck. I'm going to go pick up a compression tester and check the fuel pressure. I'll update you afterwards.
 

car won't run. no boost, oil pressure spike. help!

Reply #10 –
wichita is just up the hill from me! maybe I could come take a look sometime?