406 V6 - Starting problem / missfire

[Gallen]

Hi there from a newbie to this forum, who is asking for help on an annoying problem!

I have recently bought my 98/R 3.0 V6 Manual (197 bhp) with body damage with the intention of repairing it.

It starts ok from cold. However, when the car's been driven it gets increasingly reluctant to start.

The car "runs" well and doesm't show up as running hot or anything ion the IP.
However, if you start the car and let it idle, then plant your foot on the throttle, it momentarily dips, before picking up - and almost fractionally "misses" before revving - you notice it pulling out froma junction or overtaking. I don't know if the 2 probs are related (possible that they are).

I took it out the other day to get a paper (first time for about a month). It started up fine and went ok. However when I pulled up some 2 mins away from my home (car still cold) it hesitated then stalled. It then took ages on the key to start (about 30 seconds) - When it eventually did start, there was a LOT of white emmissions.

Any advice appreciated?

Thanks,

Gallen.

[mjb]

Dodgy throttle pot? Dunno how much they cost to replace, but they're a piece of cake to get at on the v6

One way of testing is to get an aerosol can of freezer stuff from maplins. You spray it on something to make it COLD - staff there should know what it is from that description ;) Warm up the engine so it exhibits these symptoms and then start spraying stuff until the problem goes away and you know what to fix/replace

[teamster1975]

Either that or it could be a faulty oxygen sensor

[Welly]

I would be thinking along the lines of spark plug coil pack etc.

Without being rude it might help to ask over on the coupe forum as they have more V6's than we do here and I can't recall anyone with a running problem on this engine

[TooT]

I can't recall anyone with a running problem on this engine

Sorry i cant help. Mine was 100% reliable for 2.5 years

[jameslxdt]

mileage?
when where the plugs last changed?
sounds like either a faulty coolant temp sensor, oxygen sensor
i would go with plugs first, might be rear bank head gasket gone

[mjb]

might be rear bank head gasket gone

ouch

[jameslxdt]

very common with high mileage non-VVT V6 unfortunatley

[mjb]

very common with high mileage non-VVT V6 unfortunatley

you're just saying that to scare me... aren't you?

what's "high mileage" for an es9j4?

[jameslxdt]

depends how its maintained, if its not been looked after then arround 150k well maintained 200k

[mjb]

phew!

what if it's been well maintained, but thrashed? *COUGH* ;)

[mbell666]

but not a problem on the vvt (210bhp)????

sounds like another reason me to search for the 210!

[jameslxdt]

doesnt affect the VVT V6 as the engine was re-designed, the problem with the non-vvt was alloy head, steel gasket, iron block
alloy and steel arent a good mix

[mjb]

ah but VVT means D9 which means the electrical subsystem is likely to break horribly long before the engine starts thinking about retiring ;)

[TooT]

ah but VVT means D9

Not true, mine was a D9 without VVT