Re: 320is Cold Start Valve Failure (long) (archive)

Glen, a cold start valve will not prevent the car from starting. I had a 79 VW Scirocco with the cold start valve plug broken, and danling on the exhaust. I drove that car for another year without fixing it. More than likely you have an ignition problem. The black smoke was caused from fuel running down the cylinders while cranking. When it finally caught, the plugs were so washed down with fuel that it really was only firing a couple cylinders. I would bet money that your problem is the ignition module, or amplifier as some call it. The little unit screwed down just behind the driver side strut tower, and in front of the cowl. These things have a tendency too fail intermittantly. Beyond that, it is possible that you have a broken wire somewhere. Check the module first however. HTH, Al
Will a failed cold start valve on an '83 320is prevent the engine from starting? My car, after running fine, suddenly would not start. Acted like the timing was way-off. After too much coaxing, the engine finally started with a cloud of black smoke! Ran like a Harley that was only firing on one cylinder. No obvious vacuum leaks, although I did manage to break an aged water hose while looking. Plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap are all okay. Any ideas?

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