So, work done to date: Throttle body clean, flame trap cleaned, hoses replaced, AICV tested, cleaned, hoses replaced, fuel filter replaced, fuel pressure and relay tested ok, fuel lines checked, no leaks, engine harness replaced, distributor cap and lines new, injectors all ok, intake manifold gasket new, no response to spraying water or carb cleaner around lines and gaskets, vacuum lines checked, few damaged, those replaced, new brake pads, ball joints, struts and mounts, yada yada yada. She now drives great with minimal vibration in the front only on rough roads (I live in very rural Tennessee), only thing left is Odo which stopped about 50 miles after I bought her.

But the real problem is still the hard start. She spins up and turns over, but tries to cut out immediately on a cold start (even in balmy 78 degrees) - I have to hold down the key to start for an extra few seconds to have it turn over and then give it a steady stream of gas running the RPMs up into the 2000's or higher. After about 30 - 45 seconds she will return to idle around 1k and run fine. If I then drive her for 15 - 20 minutes she will continue to start fine. It's just the cold starts that is so rough and nerve racking.

Where to go next? Do I have too much carbon on the back sides of my valves? Is there something basic I am missing? She has 253k on her, and it looked like for the last 10k she was 'rode hard and put up wet' so to speak...

Any help would be appreciated.
Hannah C.
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hannah.coffey@gmail.com