Its an 86 camaro 2.8 V6. Ran fine the night before and then just wouldn't start the next morning and hasn't started since. It turns over strong and has sputtered a few times but won't stay running. Fuel pump hums like it should. Today I changed the distributor cap and rotor because there was some corrosion and then changed the plugs and wires because I was beginning to wonder if they were fuel fouled. Gap is correct. The plugs are all wet with fuel and there is a bright white spark from the plugs I checked. Tried starter spray and still wouldn't even try to start. Ran a heater under the car today to see if there was any ice in the lines but didn't change.

The only thing I can think of is maybe the spark still isn't strong enough and the coil is week, but I'm worried about dropping another $70 bucks on something that might not work. Unless someone thinks the duralast are good but they kind of worry me at $20. Any more ideas would be great! Thanks! Tomorrow I'm going to get my fuel pressure tester from my parents house to see but I don't think thats the problem.

 

Also I tried to check the ECM codes and something weird happen. I jump the A and B like the manual said and turned the ignition on but didn't start it. The service light flashed once then the fan turned on. It keep doing the same thing with several tries. I stopped so I wouldn't further strain my already tired battery. Any ideas of what I'm doing wrong?

 

Tested the fuel pressure today and when the ignition is one it is at 45psi. Is that to much? Could I have a fuel pressure regulator going bad and flooding it out? Thanks!

 

45 psi isnt a problem. There are a few likely possibilities that come to mind. One is the pressure regulator diaphram. They can rupture causing raw fuel to be drawn into the intake througed the regulator vacuum line. Remove the vacuum line from the regulator and watch for fuel to come from the nipple when the pump is running.

Another possibility is a clogged exhaust. Try starting the engine with one plug out or with the EGR valve off. Another thing to check is the MAF sensor. Unplug the MAF, then try starting the engine. If it starts with the MAF unplugged, you'll need to replace the MAF sensor.

The timing chain on the 2.8 was cheesy. If yours is original, it may have jumped teeth. Referrence your crank at #1 TDC and check alignment of the dist rotor with #1 on the cap. It should line up fairly close. If not, remove the plugs and use a socket wrench to turn the crank back and forth while watching the rotor. The rotor should follow the crank within a few degrees of rotation. If you can turn the crank more than a few degrees without the rotor turning, you probably lost timing chain alignment.

As far as reading codes, it sounds like you may not be waiting long enough after the single flash. The fan coming on is normal. After the single flash. There is a pause of a few seconds before codes start flashing.

 

Thanks for the help! I will try some of those tomorrow and see what happens. Its just weird how it was running flawless when I shut it off that one night then the next day it just wouldn't do anything. I got some more sputters out of it today but it just won't keep running.

The pressure held at 45psi even long after the ignition was turned off. If the diaphragm was rupture wouldn't the pressure slowly be lost? I have never worked on that so I'm not sure how it works.

 

Pressure regulator sounds fine. Did you check dist rotor alignment yet? I hope one of the items above will help you.

 

I checked the MAF and it didnt make a difference. The I finally gave into the freezing temps and having no place to work on it at. My fingers were freezing to the metal and I keep almost falling down because of the ice. Im getting it picked up to take it to the shop tomorrow. Thanks for the help though!

 

Ok so yesterday it finally got above freezing for the first time in weeks so I decided to give it one more try before the tow truck took it away incase there was ice in the lines. I said a prayer.. cranked it a few times and after a few rumbles it started and is now running better than ever! Glad I did, would have felt dumb if they would have hauled it all that way and then have it start as soon as it got there.. Must have been bad gas with water in it.