[V8] To rich and backfiring above 1700 rpm

[Buchholz, Steven]

... don't throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet ... ;-)  It so
happens that I just replaced the starter on #2 over the weekend ... not too
difficult to do on an MT car fortunately.  For some time now it has been a
bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not the starter would engage.  As far
as I could tell there was no damage done to the flywheel.  It is my
understanding that the damage tends to occur if you have a hydrolocked
cylinder ...

Follow through on the inspection to confirm that the teeth are damaged
before giving your car away.  I know that it can happen with the automatic
"flywheel" but since there are other simpler problems that you may be
having, I'd hate to hear someone getting turned off on V8s undeservedly.  

Have you checked all of the spark plugs?
Have you pulled the distributor caps?
How are the spark plug wires?

It also seems like you are hesitant to use the ECU codes to help with your
diagnosis ... were I in your shoes I'd find someone with a VAG 1551 (or
equiv) and let it tell you what the ECU is seeing when the engine is running
poorly.  I know that from my ProDiag equipped Palm pilot I can read the
engine parameters while it is running.  

Steve B.
San Jose, Kaleefohnia (USA)

> knocksensor and fuel filter. I parked the car, changed the 
> fuel regulator
> and hopefully got in the car to start it...well guess what? 
> The starter
> slipped on the teeth...shivers down my spine!! I had still a 
> tiny bit of
> hope that it was my starter, so I got under the car to turn 
> the flywheel (or
> whatever you guys call it) with a screwdriver through one of 
> the 2 holes. I
> turned it a few teeth (btw I couldn't fit a tool on the 
> crankshaft, not
> enough room between it and the radiator), and tried to start 
> it...guess
> again, it started right away. Normally I am happy when it 
> starts, but not
> now as you can imagine.
> So now I am sick of it, and planning to sell the V8, I am 
> definitely not
> going to take the gearbox off on my own and outside in the 
> winter weather.
> It makes me sad, but c'est la vie...
> Well at least thats how I feel now, haven't made up my mind 
> completely yet.