About Jim Holsbeck Expertise I can answer most questions on Chevrolet vehicles up to 1996, or before the ODBII.
Experience I have been working on cars since I was eight, when I started handing my dad wrenches. I did my first complete rebuild at 14, and my first restoration at 16. When it comes to Chevy, if I don't know the answer off the top of my head, I can find it out fairly quickly. (My entire family is a bunch of gear heads.)
Education/Credentials 4 year machinist degree, with a 2 year mechanical drafting.
Expert: Jim Holsbeck Date: 10/10/2007 Subject: no start 91 lumina
Question Hi Jim, I have a 91 Chevy Lumina with a 3.1 that won't run.
I have good fuel pressure and spark. I took a compression test and all cylinders were ok. It wants to start, but gives out when almost there. I thought maybe the exhaust might be plugged, so I disconnected the egr, to help the engine breath, no help. It sounds like it is out of time,or cross firing. Using scan tool I checked cranking RPM, and injector pulse both ok. Could it have jumped timing and still have ok compression? Any idea's would be much appreciated. Rick
Answer Rick,
Still sounds to me like your exhaust is plugged. I would be willing to bet that the catalytic converter has collapsed inside and the little bit of extra air from the egr unhooked isn't enough to allow it to start. Try unbolting the exhaust at the cat and see if it will run. If it had slipped time, the compression test would show it. Good Luck!
