Dear WeatherCat automotive enthusiasts,
There was a not so subtle hint that perhaps I should provide an update on my trusty wagon's progress. Well, there was some
"progress" but it might be considered to be in the wrong direction!
I was unable to eliminate some engine instability when starting from cold no matter how I adjusted the startup tables in the electronic fuel injection software. It turned out the explanation was extremely simple. There is another table that enriches the fuel depending on the temperature of the coolant - basically functioning like a choke on a carburetor-equipped car. For whatever bizarre reason, this table wasn't included in the grouping related to starting the car - so I didn't notice it until now!
Nonetheless having identified the rogue table, I immediately tried adjusting it and in just one attempt succeeded in getting the engine to start up very badly!
However, this was good news in disguise. This table had values that left the fuel mixture too rich. My first adjustment now left the fuel too lean. As anyone familiar with naval artillery will realize, I have successfully straddled the target. The correct values have to be in within the range I have identified.
As it appeared the cold start problems where close to be being solved I unwittingly discovered that warm start settings are probably off. Occasionally, I have the engine cut off shortly after a hot start. I had assumed my problem was the ignition controller box overheating while the car was left sitting. However, after calling the guy who sold me the system, he instead informed me that the problem is too much cranking fuel - the engine is getting flooded! So I now need to start investigating the values for hot start.
In the meantime, I have known I need to upgrade to larger tires. The existing tires were for a much smaller engine and are a bit unsafe. Normally, the largest tire you can put on a car is limited by the clearance (usually for the front wheels.) However, station wagons introduce one more winkle. Instead of a roomy trunk, the spare tire needs to fit into a spare tire well:
The tallest tire that can be used on the car must still fit into this well. Obviously it was time to clean the spare tire well and check on the available space. Alas, that led to an unfortunate discovery. When the car was stolen in 1986 the thief removed the original Buick factory bumper jack. We never did find a satisfactory replacement. There was also a bottle jack which we stuck under the wheel once the bumper jack lifted the car enough so that the jack could get under the wheel. However, this jack had been badly rusted in the past 30 years and isn't trustworthy. So I'm searching some sort of replacement jack. Alas, once more lacking the space of a roomy trunk is a serious problem.
Adding to the fun is the damage done to the driver's side door back on January 1st, 2013:
It appears somebody slammed a shopping cart into the door while I was picking up a few quick items at our local pharmacy. It would be a quick job for the body shop that repainted the car but they have gone out of business!
So I need to locate another body shop that might be able to take this small job on before . . . . The Orinda Classic Car show which this year is September 10th!
Oh and I really need to replace the story boards that I put around Biquette that describe her life story at car shows. They were first made in 2010 and are out of now seriously worn cardboard.
So in short, while the car is running. . . . . . Nonetheless, there are a few
"minor issues" that still need to be addressed!
.
.
Need I say more? Edouard