Well, the story of this car is: I purchased it 2 years ago with a broken timing belt for $100. I replaced it, and a water pump 200 miles later. 3000 miles later the voltage regulator went and I replaced that. Other than that the car ran great, with no major issues until....

Three months ago I started having trouble starting it on a cold morning (I think around 5 degrees F). It seemed sluggish to crank and false started a few times. It took about 20 tries and then it finally started. I thought his was odd because I had consciously noted how easily it had started on cold days in previous winters. I drove it that day and had similar problems getting it started to go home. I checked it out and found a coolant leak. The upper seal on the water pump (into the head) went so I put in a new pump (when it wasn't so cold). I also timed it to 8 deg. below TDC (which I now believe to be incorrect) and put in two new belts to the alternator. I also located a vacuum leak on the line running to the After that it started and ran consistently for about 2 weeks. I didn't have any problems and no coolant leaks. Then more cold weather came and the problem re-appeared. It also seemed worse. I couldn't get it started one day. Then more days came when it wouldn't start.

On occasion it would turn over and the engine started to run but for only a few seconds. I tried priming it by turning the ignition back and forth to get fuel in the line, but it didn't seem to make much difference. I tried holding my foot to the floor and leaving it off with the same results. On rare occasion holding the accelerator halfway in while starting the car would result in the engine starting and running at high RPM but as soon as the slightest release from the accelerator it would die. I tried just about every starting variable combination I could think of...

So I started with the Fuel Pump relay and LH System relay. They clicked while I turned the ignition but to be sure, I tried swapping them, I tried pulling them out and keeping them warm, I tried cleaning the contacts and rotating fuses, etc... I located some Bosch replacement relays (the parts store crossed both relay numbers to an updated version, same part for both as it's an LH 1.0). Those didn't help... I got a fuel filter, new plugs, wires, and new fuel line from the filter to the rail and a new section on the return line. I tested the fuel pump also and it cranked. I checked the resistance on the fuel pump wires that are easily accessible underneath the rear passenger seat and the resistance was low (good). After all that it started great!!! I was so excited, until 6 hours later when I was driving home. It died in the middle of the road... twice (on a street named Broadway). I got out in the middle of the street and fiddled with the fuel pump and wires and got it going again both times (thank god!).

So moderate or warm temperature seems ok, but cold temp seems to kill it. I guess, maybe I should have focused on that problem more. My only unchecked thought is that the timing is off and that is doing it? I was reading on one of the threads that the LH 1.0 is 12 deg below. I thought I set it to 8 below from my shop manual but now I think the manual is wrong for my engine. Could that throw it off enough to cause these problems in cold weather. I also have the White Cap distributor (MPG), could that be part of my problem too?

I just wana drive my wagon!!! :(

Alex