one of my buddys has a 91 firebird v6. His car will start for a few minutes then die, or it will start and your able to drive for a few minutes and then will die and won't start back up unless we spray starting fluid in it. We think its the fuel pump that is going out or is out cause now it won't stay running long.

We heard from some other people that you can cut a hole in the trunk well and replace the fuel pump that way without having to drop the tank?
and does anyone know where i can view photos of any if they have them..

Is it ture that this is possible???

Thanks.

 

do a search for fuel tank access door, but get ready to be bashed for doing so.some people frown on it others like doing, i think its up to the individual doing it ,later jimmy

 

its definetly possible, ive done it. its better to do it that way to avoid dropping everything out of the rear half of the car where you may consequently create new problems. you should get a fuel pressure gauge for about $20-$30 and hook it to the test port. i forget what the exact range is supposed to be but i know its around 40 psi if you know its getting the proper pressure you may save yourself a lot of work. Oh btw did you try changing the fuel filter? theyre like $7 i think for a fram

 

sounds like fuel filter

 

okay well please don't bash the questioner lol. He called me today and told me he had to walk home because now the car won't even fire up, not even with starting fluid. Sounds like something else might be going on. He did change the Ignition coil (i told him too) because thats what went on my camaro. and just like my camaro, it won't start. So much fun..

 

Well he is gonna go the cut the fuel door. then he is gonna have his friend weld it back on. That way its all good.

 

NOOOWAAY!!!!!!! welding right over the fuel tank is a definite nono. FUEL AND WELDING SPARKS DO NOT MIX AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! very good way to blow up your car,just drill a few holes and pop rivet an access door over it. later jimmy

 

When you go to start the car - if you just turn it on (dont start it) can you hear the fuel pump priming? How does it sound? How long does it run before its done priming?

 

Replaced Fuel Pump/Fuel Filter, Still will Not Start..... Sucks. and he just put some hinges on it and a lock slider. He has only had the car about amonth at most.
Any other Ideas what it could be?

 

You said it yourself - better to diagnose the problem than to just start replacing parts, especially when you decide to hack up the poor car in the process.

You've probably got an ignition problem, so troubleshoot that.

 

Yep, number one no start for the mpfi V6 is either a pickup coil inside the distributor or a bad module.

Too bad about that fuel pump access panel...

 

Well he replaced Ignition Coil also.... I will tell him to change the cap/Rotar and see what it does.

 

also try the ignition module within the distributor. I had a similar problem with my 2.8. but i just ended up replacing the whole dist. It really looked bad under there when i took the cap off. So if when he takes the cap off and its all cruddy and rusty might as well replace the whole thing. Only like 130 bucks

 

well i talked to him today, he pulled off the Dist cap off, and found a broken metal clip inside it. The cap looks great so, he is just gonna replace the button (or rotar). If that don't work i will tell him to try the Ign Module. But i thought the Ign Module was the Ign Coil 0o sorry not that great with these cars, still learning after having 3 of them

He says Thanks for Your help So far

 

well changed the button(rotar) and it fired up and ran for like 3 or 4 mins then died again. What else to check?

 

Well it refuses to start now. Still cranks just won't start. He told me today he is ready to junk it and just buy something else. Here is a check list of everything he replaced:

Fuel Pump: Replaced
Fuel Filter: Replaced
Dist Cap: Replaced
Rotar Button: Replaced
ignition Coil: Replaced

Anymore Ideas? Before he does toss the car out?

 

how about, as mentioned above replace the ignition module? This is common. Someone buys a car, doesnt have the knowledge to troubleshoot it, and throws a bunch of parts at. Then they get frustrated. As mentioned above a Fuel pressure gauge would have saved a lot of trouble. Have you checked for spark at the plugs yet?

 

Tell me where this ignition module is and i will have him replace it.

 

Its in the distributor. If its like mine it looks like this I've heard the AC Delco one is the best to get.

 

i'de say ignition module as well. my 2.8 bird had similar problems but when i pulled the dist cap off the enitre dist was old and crusty so i replaced the entire thing. so if your friends dist looks rusty best bet is to replace the whole dist. a new dist will come with a new module and will run you about 120 or so. there is a core charge too that you get back when you bring the old one back i think its like 40 bucks. but try the module first

 

Guys/Gals He wants to thank you for all your help. it was the Ignition module, and it fired right up and it is still going

Thanks.