I've got a 90 rs with the 2.8MPI and no start. I can smell gas and I have checked spark, and motor turns over, but no fire. I'm thinking timing. I just bought the car, and I plan on swapping the motor with the SB that I built for my Cutlass in the spring, but I'd like to get the car running for the winter. I plan on pulling the timing cover this weekend. What are the chances that its not the timing, but rather the VATS? I'm pretty sure that the guy I bought it from gave me the original key...please help.

Thanks guys!

 

what are your fuel pressure readings? Will it start with starting fluid? what makes you suspect the timing? What is it currently set at?

 

The guy i bought it from muttered something about timing. I have fuel, I have spark, that leaves air or timing. Right? I dont know much about all of the electronics...this is the newest car that Ive ever worked on. I havent had much time with it yet. Im gonna pull out the timing light on Sat, but Im just trying to gather info on things to look for. I would like to eliminate VATS as a fault. I also plan on the paper clip trick that I learned here.

 

Your probably goin to want to start with all the basics which it looks like you already covered some of that.... It may be a long shot but you should take a quick compression check..... Maybe it got washed down with fuel real bad and wont fire cause of that...... A lot is going to depend on what the other guy did before you... Was the car running when you bought it? If it was running then I would say disregard my previous statement.