88 318 idling problem update

[gramms]

Hi,

To recap-she starts fine, but if the air temperature outside is cold (in the 30s or lower) she doesn't hold the idle, and dies. If the air temperature outside is in the 50s or more she starts great and runs great.

We had a cold spell here and I coudn't get her to run, so didn't want to take her for an emissions test so I could transfer the title. Yesterday the 'pineapple express' arrived; we had a daytime temperature in the 60s, and she passed the emissions test just fine, so she is really mine now.

I made a list of everyone's helpful suggestions, bought the official shop manual and read it. Pretty well laid out, and lots of graphics. We ran the 'flashy lights' diagnostic (engine light flashing codes) and came up with only one code-the part throttle circuit one. Unlikely that is the problem because it is speed related-not temperature related.

We took off the doghouse and did a visual inspection. The engine looks really good, hoses, wiring-everything. The only sign of age is the 'mummy wrappings' around some of the wiring. I guess its an asbestos fabric and it has deteriorated.

There is a shiny new throttle body and integrated fuel injecton module part installed. So the problem is not likely the fuel injectors.

The hoses look great-no crushed ones or loose ones.

I believe the problem is in one of the 'gizmos' that control the temperature, idling speed, fuel mixture etc. A proper diagnostic test would tell me more, but I don't have the big diagnostic unit to get the detailed readouts.

So, I will wait for the weather to get colder again and get her over to the Dodge shop.

Thanks to all the help I got from forum folks and my reading (and rereading) the shop manual, I have a rudimentary understanding now of what happens when I turn the key. Hopefully I can converse intelligently with the mechanic about the problem.

I am feeling better about buying her. I think she is in great shape except for this one quirk. And my husband is feeling better about my getting her. He now thinks it's a minor repair-not a bad engine.

Thanks for all your input,

gramms & sweetie pie, my little cream puff Dodge Sportsmobile

[FrenchChris]

Hello everybody

My name is Chris, I live in France.

I also have cold start problems on my 1981 B350 powered by a stock 318.
The engine starts but stops if I donot keep the pedal lightly pushed. And even in this case it "turns on 3 cylinders" like we say it in France.
In summer or when the weather is hot, I donot have any problem, the engine starts and works perfectly.

I checked a lot of points including ignition controls but in my mind it is not an electrical question but an air intake and exhaust problem.

On this engine the right header is equipped with a choke valve that closes it while the engine is cold. Then the right exhaust gases are fully redirected into the intake manifold to warm it up and finaly go out through the left header. When the engine is warm, the valve opens and let the right gases go through the exhaust pipe.

The problem that can occure (I suppose so on my engine) is that the intake manifold heating galleries are bocked up by exhaust dirt. Then when my engine is cold its right side can't respire correctly and suffocates.

I don't know if you had the same problem and if someone can confirm I am right...
Sorry for my basic english. :WHT:

[AP]

My old 88 Ram 318 FI was idiling bad also before I sold it. Did everything, Found out that the MAP sensor ( I think that's what is called ) was bad. Replaced it...and it run like new.