"xmirage2kx" > wrote in message
news:1_634475_9ba02b3f843dce7ad306d886403e451c@aut oforumz.com...
> I have a 1998 chrysler concorde LXi. Every so often it wont start, and
> its happening more and more. so far there are only 2 conditions that
> it wont start that often. when its low on gas, and when its hot. about
> 80% of the time when its above 70 or a sunny day even it just wont
> start. I have had the plugs changed, battery, checked compression,
> etc.
>

OK, this calls for going back to the basics in troubleshooting on this
engine.

Wait till it's hot and having difficulty starting. You may have to carry
a small tool set with you if you drive it somewhere.

When you go to start it and it doesen't catch on the first few
revolutions, stop the engine, open the hood, connect a fuel pressure
guage to the fuel pressure diagnostic port, then have an assistant
try cranking and watch the guage. The needle should immediately snap
to pressure and remain at pressure as long as your cranking.
Then stop, and pull a spark plug boot, plug it into a spare plug,
hold the plug with heavy gloves to the block, have the assistant
crank a few times more. See if you got good spark. Next,
stop trying to crank, (by now you should have been cranking it
about a minute with all the testing your doing) turn off car,
pull out one of the spark plugs and check to see if it's wet with
fuel.

If you don't have good pressure it's the pump, or a restriction in
the gas line or filter or some such.

If you don't have good spark it's ignition (electrical ignition parts
are sensitive to heat)

If the spark plug you pull out is wet with fuel, and you have good
fuel pressure and good spark, then it's the timing, crank sensor or
some such. If the plug is dry then the injectors aren't firing.

Last but not least, how many miles on this car and how has it's
oiling been handled during it's lifetime? You could be looking at
a timing chain that has slipped. This can be checked by a
competent mechanic.

Ted