Questions and Answers

Chevy Camaro Extended Crank Q. I have a 1987 Chevy Camaro, 6 cylinder automatic transmission it has about 160,000 miles on it but it still runs good, except now I am having problems. It starts fine on a cold start but if after I shut it off, it will start ok if I do it within a half hour but after about an hour, it gives a hard start, have to try like three to five times before it kicks in.

I changed the oil and did a tune up. I tried to set the timing cause it was on 20° BTDC and my car calls for the timing to be set on 10° BTDC. When I put it on 0° BTDC, it started fine but there was no power at all to take off, it would take off very slow, so I put it back on 20° BTDC for the time being.

Now I am back to the hard start and it feels like it wants to stall when I come to a stop and also when I go to take off, it feels like it wants to hesitate. Do you think Ii need to replace the timing chain? Thank you,
Dee

A. Make sure you are checking the timing properly. On most GM vehicles you need to put it in the base timing mode by unplugging a wire or harness near the distributor. The label under the hood should explain this. Also you may have a fuel pressure problem. Put a gauge on it, it is fuel injected, right? Possibly the extended cranking is from too much gas, leaking pressure regulator or injectors? Also make sure the EGR valve isn't stuck open slightly.