1998 Buick Regal LS won't start. 3.8L Please Help?

Question

Before we got into the project the engine was missing badly, getting worse the longer it went on, it has been an ongoing problem with this car. I replaced the plenum last year and it seemed to take care of the problem. Then slowly started coming back again. As a note it misses much worse during colder temperatures. This problem continued to persist, finally it refused to start. We went through and did a complete top end rebuild. Heads were brought to a machine ship, cleaned up, rebuilt and vacuum checked. Put it all back together, replacing all gaskets, hoses, water pump, and O2 Sensor. Went to start it up, nothing. It turns over catches, then dies immediately. Then nothing for a few minutes, then will catch again. I have gone through and made sure all grounds and electrical items have been attached correctly. Has spark and correct fuel pressure. Something new is the fuel gage reads empty even though it is full, not sure if that is related. Please Help I am at a loss...

Answer 1

crank sensor, fuel blockage in lines of filter. the fuel pump could also not be holding a steady signal from the ecu.

Answer 2

It could be the Crankshaft position sensor, or the Coil pack. There is 3 coils on that engine each coil fires 2 cylinders at the same time and that setup is called a Waste spark system. I would check those coils from both Towers. and make sure you got the firing order right. And also check your sensor wiring and make sure everything is plugged back in where it should be. one sensor wire can cause a no start condition.

Answer 3

sounded like a timing problem. The original problem could have been solved by advancing the timing for the cold weather. Take it to the shop and have your electronic ignition diagnostic done. It is called a tune up.
Sound like you used a sledgehammer to kill a fly.