Thread: 88 GP SE having start-up problems

Okay, so my parents 88 GP SE is having problems starting up. This usually only happens when it gets colder, like -15 degrees Celsius or below.

It starts up absolutely fine whenever its warmer out. But as soon as it gets colder, it will turn over and try to start and will even start but then 2 seconds after it starts it will stall. Sometimes it won't even start at all just turn over. Regardless if it starts or not, it always smells like raw gas in the exhaust. Sometimes if my parents floor the gas pedal it will start, sometimes it won't help, but again, it stinks like raw gas.

My dad did an oil change on it and put methyl hydrate in it the last time it did this when it got cold, that seemed to have made the problem go away. But it has started again. They put some more methyl hydrate in it, and it seems to have helped. It has never needed methyl hydrate before.

This car has probably needed to have a couple major services since they bought it, would this maybe have something to do with not having it done? And if not what could this be?

Hmm, lets see... clogged fuel filter, bad plugs/wires, flaky CPS, bad MAF, frozen fuel/ frozen lines, water in gas...

Since the methyl hydrate (ie -heet) seems to help I suspect you have water in your gas and it is freezing up.

The only other thought is a sticky IAC or possibly bad MAF. If the IAC sticks it may not be getting enough air to run very long. Since you say it smells like raw gas in the exhaust it sounds like its getting plenty of fuel, so that only leaves air and spark. If the air cleaner isn't clogged and IAC good then it must be spark. Check plugs/wires, battery cables, grounds, etc. and then go from there in the ignition department. Not overly familiar w/ the 88 GP but familiar with cars in general.