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Addressing the tuneup parts is key. How do your plugs look? Black or clean? Good plugs ought to be white, pale grey, tan or slightly pink. IF they're getting black, or if you ever get black smoke, something is wrong.
However, a good number of otherwise good running cars can exhibit tough cold-start behavior. In the last year, my 87 (which was flawless all last winter) has been a little hesitant in the mornings. My 82 wagon is even worse, but the K-jet is more finicky and it has old vacuum lines.
The things to address that are cheap are:
1) clean the throttle body. a $1 gasket and a can of carb cleaner and few rags, and you should see a marked improvement at all times.
2) check all vacuum hoses and fittings. Hoses can look ok but be split in the ends. Any vacuum leaks will cause this problem.
3) likewise look for leaks at the intake manifold gasket and fuel injector seals. An unlit propane torch or carb cleaner sprayed at the locations will reveal a leak as a higher idle (on a running engine)
4) likewise splits cracks or holes in the big plastic air hose from AMM to throttle body. Inspect it completely when you're doing the throttle body. They're only $15 or so for a new one if there is a hole.
5) could need a new fuel filter. This is under the car, rear axle area, and a bit messy to do. Not super hard but you've got to be ready to deal with leaking gas. LEss than $20 for the part. Get a new fuel pump check valve for a couple bucks to complete the job and rule out another potential problem.
Remember, FCP Groton is your friend- order stuff from them and save a ton. www.fcpgroton.com
Good luck with it.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 230K, 88 744GLE- 220K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 94 855GLT 189K
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