Ponyboy13

Hello everyone, I'm new to this page and I've been following up a lot of threads on here. Just the other day I had a mechanic replace the head gaskets and I had replaced the fuel pump with a new fuel sending unit. I have a V6 3.1l fuel inj. and it will start up about one time for about 15secs or so and then shut off? After that it won't start no more and just keep cranking! I've looked around but I don't seem to find the right solution, if you guys can help me on this I will appreciate the help, thanks!

Oh and I had replaced the Fuel regulator and the ignition module but still same problem, won't fire up???

caffeine

iTrader: (2)

Can you hear the fuel pump running when you turn the key to on without cranking? Sounds to me like it's running out of fuel.

Ponyboy13

Yes I do here it and I prime it couple times but still won't turn on. Earlyer today the mechanic told me to change a part, not sure what is was called, but it is located next to the thermostat housing, so I replaced that and fired straight up for about 40secs to a minute then shutoff again. All it does now is crank but won't fire up again!

I don't wana end up givin up on her but I'm tryin to find out why it's not staying on?. I need all the help I can get right now before I start throwing money away for things that don't have to do with it. (if u guys know what I mean)

caffeine

iTrader: (2)

Clogged fuel filter maybe? Check for fuel pressure at the rail by depressing the schrader valve on the rail after priming the pump. It shoud squirt pretty high.

Or hook up a pressure gauge if you have access to one.

Ponyboy13

I already check the the pressure while off and tried cranking it and it was around 40-55 psi and the mechanic checked to see if it had spark and it did as well. I tried spraying the fluid to see if that will help it start up but neither the spray helped it out!! Could it that my injectors are bad?
Aside from this, before I had the head gaskets replaced, it would start up fine with no problems and the overheating problem, but those seem to be fine now, just it doesn't start up! (( seems like a big headache for me to deal with)))

caffeine

iTrader: (2)

Injectors could be bad if they were sitting for a while. Is it firing on all 6 cylinders when it runs? When you pull the spark plugs out after cranking do they have fuel on them or are they dry?

Ponyboy13

Yeah my car was sitting for about 8 years and when I pulled it out it was running fine but to me the thing I can think of being bad are the injectors since I replaced couple things that had to do with the fuel, like the fuel regulator, fuel pump, fuel sending unit, new fuel lines but just my only option is to replace the injectors.
I will see if the spark plugs are damped or dry tomorrow after and let you if they are fine.

caffeine

iTrader: (2)

If they are dry it probably points to injectors being the problem. If they were sitting for 8 years that drastically increases the chances of them being clogged. I've had a set of injectors that sat for 3 years and none of them were firing, even though they looked brand new.

If you pull the fuel rail off the intake and get a friend to crank the engine for you, you should be able to see the injectors spraying. That will give you a more definitive answer.

Ponyboy13

The mechanic said he will be checking my injectors and the fuel rail to make sure they not busted. So I'll see what happens from there, thanks for thee advice

antares57

iTrader: (8)

Did you remove or move the distributor at all? And, if so, did you time the engine?

Mailman818

try cleaning the injectors. theres videos on youtube on how to just so you dont fork out alot of cash for new ones.
like they said also check the fuel filter. 8 years of sitting could do some damage on the tank. mine sat for 12+ years before i got her running again and i went through like 4 tows and 10 fuel filter before i decided on dropping and cleaning the tank.

Ponyboy13

Yeah but the distributor works fine as for the timing we didn't move that, but if it's not the injectors then ima have the mechanic time it properly

Ponyboy13

Do they have a vid on exactly the same engine or just show you how to clean em?
And yes I cleaned out the tank before I took it, was surprised how rusted it was so I had to buy a new fuel sending unit with new fuel, and ringed and scrubbed the inside of the tank with a wool brush and some fuel. But ill find out for sure ifts the injectors once I clean em out, aside from that when I have the chance ima replace the fuel filter.

Mailman818

its just a basic video for all injectors. i think my uncle also said to let them soak in the cheveron techron fuel injector cleaner bottle that you put in the tank. i never tried it but my uncles a pretty good mechanic.
and yea get two fuel filter just incase.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

If the fuel pressure is going as high as 55 PSI, you have other things to worry about. The fuel pressure should NEVER go above 47 PSI to stay within the ECM calibrations.

Either test the resistance of the fuel injectors or have your guy do it. None of them should be below 11.4 ohms.

Check for a code 46 as well as double checking to make sure you have spark (if it didn't start on starting fluid you probably don't have spark!). Code 46 means the fuel injectors are shut off due to the ECM not receiving communication from the security module.