Dead VG Ute

[Pete O]

Ok so my 3.8 Buick has been playing up, not idling, hard to start etc. my first thought was CAS so I ordered one. Got busy this morning & installed a new CAS, timing cover seal ( while the Harmonic balancer was off) an IAC, (just in case) & I cleaned the throttle body to as new again. I hit the key expecting the purr of the V6, but nothing, It wound & wound & flatly refuses to even try to fire! I even put another coil pack on in case it was dodgy but still nothing. I checked the engine bay main fuse & changed the relays but still nothing. I did spray a bit of degreaser in the intake to clean the carbon off but that shouldn’t make it refuse to start. It smells fuelly after winding it over, like it’s flooded.
So anyone wanna have a stab at what’s going on here???

Cheers.........Pete!

 

[losh1971]

Series 1 or series 2, series 1 you need to set the air gap.

 

[Pete O]

Series 1 or series 2, series 1 you need to set the air gap.

It’s a 9/90 model ute, whatever series that is?

 

[Pete O]

It’s a 9/90 model ute, whatever series that is?

 

[FXST01]

Reconnect the CAS? All the connectors and hoses to the TB?

 

[Pete O]

Reconnect the CAS? All the connectors and hoses to the TB?

Yep done all that & double checked it all as well. I’ve been over everything I can think of & i’m out of ideas. The next thing I may have to do is the air gap if it is a series 1 as suggested by losh1971.

 

[losh1971]

Is there adjustment in the CAS? Later models don't have adjustment and just bolt in.

 

[Pete O]

Is there adjustment in the CAS? Later models don't have adjustment and just bolt in.

Yes you can adjust it side to side for the gap between the cas & the reluctor fins but there is not a lot in it. Maybe it has to be a very specific gap but I don’t know for sure.

 

[losh1971]

Ok then yes then the gap does need to be spot on.

 

[Pete O]

Ok then yes then the gap does need to be spot on.

Ok do you know what the gap is? Is it an equal amount each side or just one specific gap somewhere?