Hey all,

So spent the last two days with my 14 year old working on his '91 RS (3.1 V6). Short history...picked the car up from a buddy after it had been sitting for 5+ years not running so we started diagnosing. First problem found was fuel pump not cycling on when the key is turned on so we dropped the tank and found it was full of nasty black gunk. So we got the tank cleaned and just got the tank back a couple days ago.

Yesterday we got the tank back in with a new fuel pump and now it cycles on when the key is turned on. I was concerned with the lines and filter being clogged so we replaced the filter but while we had it disconnected we turned it on to check for fuel at the filter....lot of clean fuel came out so we hooked the new filter up.....replaced the plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter etc. Engine spun fine but wouldnt fire however it ran if I sprayed starting fluid into the air intake so I thought maybe we weren't getting fuel between the filter and the fuel rail. Got down to the fuel line going into the rail and a good amount of clean fuel spurts out when the fuel pump comes on so I have fuel going to the rail.

I went ahead and pulled the injectors out initially thinking of replacing them until I saw the $60 each price tag.....so Im wondering if there is a way to check them to see if they are working and or to clean them?

Does it sound like we are even on the right track? Im a little confused as to why the car would run on starting fluid if the injectors aren't working...or am I missing something between where the fuel line goes into the rail and the injectors? Is starting fluid volotile enough for the car to run on it even if only a small amount is making it through bad injectors? or should I be looking for an electronics or air sensor problem instead of a fuel problem and if so how to I go about diagnosing that?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Tim

 

It's almost certainly the injectors. Get a set from Southbay. They are sponsors on the board. Do a search and you'll find the web site. The reman set is about $120 and you get discount if you tell them you're a tgo member. It's cheaper than having the old ones checked/cleaned and you'll have the peace of mind knowing you're starting with a good base. As you've got the top bits off you may want to pre-emptively replace the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm so you don't need to take the same parts off again. The reason the engine runs with started fluid is you've got compression and sparks at the right time in the right place whisch is a good sign. Once you've got it running it might benefit from running Seafoam in the gas for a while.

 

I would first check and make sure you have power to the injectors, make sure they have pulse, if so then I would spend the money on teh injectors. Diagnose first then purchase. saves alot of money for other items that might need replaced. you can buy a noid light from auto parts store, to check injector pulse.

 

I would agree also about the injectors being bad since you have fuel up to the fuel rail. If the tank was that nasty, I would assume that the injectors are clogged too. I would get new ones from southbay like what base91 said. I bought mine from there and haven't had any problems with them, plus they were a good price. One thing you can check is to see if you have 12 volts at each injector connector or use a noid light to test the injector harness just incase it is an electrical issue, but I bet its the injectors bad/clogged.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I don't mind replacing the injectors anyways at that price but at $60 a piece it was gonna take a bit to squeeze the dough out of the family budget. Southbay sounds much more doable. Not that we are realy in a hurry since he's only 14 but ole dad can be a bit impatient once we get going..lol. Thanks again and Ill update once we have some progress!

 

Wooohoooo!!! New injectors came in today so the boy and I spent the afternoon wrenching.....and....IT'S ALIVE!!! New injectors were the fix and it fired right up. Was idling way high so I pulled the idle control valve and it had a ton of carbon and was all gunked up. Cleaned it best we could and it was a lot better but went ahead and ordered a new one that I will pick up tomorrow. That was awesome taking a car that had been sitting for almost 7 years not running and spending the time with my son to wrench on it and get it running. He's learning a ton and I'm having a blast working on the project with him for his first car. I cant believe he will be driving in a year.....man do they grow up fast. LOL. Thank you all for all the help so far and all the help Im sure will come as we keep working on his ride. You guys have been a huge help!

 

Sounds like a great father son project. Why don't you start a build thread and let us follow on your adventure? We all like to see what it was to what it is. Good luck on the project, you'll both remember it for the rest of your lives.

 

Hmmm...not a bad idea. I may just do that. I've been taking pictures as we go so I can post those up too.

 

Congrats! Now for that Seafoam.

 

I would doublecheck the power to/injector pulse as 90camaro355rs said. you can use a test light on one injector plug and have someone crank it (disconnect fuel pump relay first) and see if the light flashes. if so, the injectors may be clogged, or fuel pressure regulator could be failed and sending all fuel back to fuel tank. If no flash, check injector fuses, if good power to injectors (ecm grounds them, so they should have one wire hot with key on), then the ignition module could be not sending signal to the ecm and therefore it may not be telling the injectors to fire.