Ka24de barely starts, then dies...

[TwoForties]

Hey guys, I bought a 91 240sx a few weeks ago. I bought it with a misfire, but the car would start and run on 3 cylinders. I found that the problem was the fuel injectors, by switching them around. So I bought 4 new 270cc injectors. While waiting for them I also bought and installed NGK spark plugs and wires, and replaced the air filter. But after installing the fuel injectors, now the car doesn't start. I figured it was a battery problem, so I got a new battery. No change. Then I tried starting the car with my foot all the way on the throttle and after a while it begins to slowly go up in rpms. But once I let off the throttle it tries to die. When I keep the throttle steady the engine shakes a lot and white smoke spews out of the exhaust. I just randomly checked the oil dipstick and oil spewed out. I don't know what to do next...please help i'm a noob.

[Kingtal0n]

need more info, and more pictures.

What I can suggest:
1. compression test asap
2. Leakdown test if you can
3. You just played with the injectors, and now it wont start suddenly? Sounds like an injector O-ring is leaking (or maybe they are all leaking) flooding the engine, which explains why flooring the gas pedal worked.

4. need more info. How fast does it crank? can you count compression strokes by listening? Do you hear anything strange, like 3 strong strokes followed by a weak one?

white smoke is water, but you may simply be "seeing" white when its really black. Believe it or not the black smoke from running rich sometimes appears white in the right light.

So far it sounds injector related, with a possible compression problem (but more likely it was a spark plug problem, that you have fixed, but now an injector is leaking)

Best way to proceed, pull the plugs for the compression test after the engine cools off. Inspect them at once, look and smell for liquid fuel. If none of the cylinder have liquid fuel in them (look inside with a flashlight for liquid) or on the plugs, then disconnect the distributor and crank the motor for the compression test.
Once the compression test is complete, Keep the plugs all out still, activate the fuel pump. You can either manually hit it with 12volts, or trigger the fuel pump relay. The idea here is, run the fuel pump with the engine (and all elecronics) OFF, so that if any fuel IS leaking from the injectors, it will now show up in the cylinders. Pretty sure at this point one of the cylinder will start looking wet after you run the fuel pump for 30~ seconds at least.

Important:
Liquid fuel does not compress and will ruin the engine if there is enough of it in a cylinder, and you try to crank the motor. Never attempt to start an engine that you think has liquid fuel in the cylinders. Always remove the plugs first, crank it over, and see how much there is (it should spray out like a fountain from the plug holes if there is alot of it). You can also stick a vacuum line into each plug hole to manually suck out any fuel (once repairs are complete) and let it evaporate over time.

[TwoForties]

@KingTal0n
I cranked the engine without the spark plugs and disconnected the fuel and like you said fuel shot like a fountain out of the last two cylinders. When I first put the injectors in, I put a shit ton of lube on the rings to get them in. Maybe thats why they're leaking? So I just took them all out and thoroughly cleaned them all off. I just put everything back in and i'm waiting for the fuel to evaporate. Then i'll try to start it normally. BTW before I bought the fuel injectors I did a compression test and got 160-180 across. Thanks for the response.

[TwoForties]

Okay so I tried to start it. no luck. Then I checked the dipstick and realized that fuel is spewing out of the dipstick hole, not oil. How bad is this?

[Kingtal0n]

That does not sound likely. Perhaps you have fuel IN your oil and the oil looks/smells like fuel because of it. I would change your oil right away. Be sure there is no trace of leftover fuel in the oil before you attempt to crank the engine again.

You should repeat your compression test once everything is settled

[TwoForties]

Okay thanks, i'll just leave it alone until I can get some oil and a filter. The lower Orings on the two right injectors are loose. So I guess i'll get new Orings as well?

[Rayne]

Replace or repair your alternator.

[TwoForties]

@Kingta0n
I got it running, thanks for the help man.

[bmaddock]

@KingTal0n
I cranked the engine without the spark plugs and disconnected the fuel and like you said fuel shot like a fountain out of the last two cylinders. W

@Kingta0n
I got it running, thanks for the help man.

LOL the fountain of fuel is always funny the first time you see it. Good to hear you got it going! A little bummed I was late to the thread, these are fun to diagnose when it's not your car tripping up haha.