Very Unique/confusing NO START problem

[mark2silva]

I have done alot of searching and research to try and fiure this issue out but have had no luck.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.0 DOHC, MT with 135k. The car has been sitting for just over a year. I have got it to start a few times in the past week only by using starting fluid about 50 times. The engine will just crank and not start. It has fuel pressure to the filter and threw the fuel rail. Has strong spark on each cylinder. And compression is at 180psi(+or-5) on each cylinder. The only way I have been able to start the car is by constantly spraying with starting fluid. I have a buddy crank then engine while i spray in the fluid the engine will catch and putter then die. I will then keep spraying in fluid when he is turning over the engine and will catch and try to start but die after burning the fluid. I will do this process for 10 minutes straight while giving the starter time to cool for a few seconds each crank untill the engine finally starts. Once it starts it will idle nice at about 700rpms. When you press on the gas it will hesitate slightly but then rev right up. Also at some points while running the rpms will get a little jumpy between 700-1500 but then calm back down. If i shut the car off and it will turn right on with no problems for 10 or so minutes between starts. There is alot of white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, but maybe the fuel system cleaner I put in. I have replaced the IAC and the coolant temp sensor. I pulled codes and got quite a few. Intake sensor, TPS, Engine Temp sensor, Crank angle sensor, and barometric pressure sensor.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am really stumped on this one.
Tommorow I am going to do a fuel pressure test, and take the injectors out to see if they are spraying.

Thanks for your help

 

[nitroaddict88]

If that fuel is also a year old I would empty your tank and put in fresh fuel and go from there.

 

[ROOKIE1]

With it being a 90 , I would check the ECU for leaky capacitors . Check your maf , is it plugged in ? Checked timing ?

 

[Pirrofab]

hmmmm... could be that u have bad gas, but with all the codes you have recieved it may also be some sort or shared power or shared ground between those sensors. its worth checking into anyway. also check to make sure the fuel injectors are actually spraying fuel and not just clicking. (electronically good mechanically bad). My friend seemed to have a similar problem and after some work he thinks its the ecu causing it.. he has replaced the crank angle sensor, fuel pump, fpr, and mpi relay. just make sure u narrow it down to save yourself from racking up the bills

 

[el guapo]

check the ecu i was down for 2months because of the ecu check the wires first though and the mpi relay

 

[TheMadCheshire]

I vote ecu. Leaky Capacitators. Sounds exactly what my buddy's car was doing just this past month. It would try and start with the starting fluid. But just wouldn't. We tried new gas(because his was about a year and a half old). Still no go. So we put in my spare ecu and it worked. Started no problem. Smoked like hell because of the bad gas that was left over and all the starting fluid. Woot.

 

[bling5tatus]

My car sat with half a tank of 93 in it for 2 years almost and started up like a champ when I got it fixed. (I know dumb, took too long.)

edit: oh and plus one for check your ecu.