I was driving a few days ago, went through a very rough intersection and then about 1/8 mile up the road the engine started sputtering and died. I'n not sure if the rough intersection had anything to do with it, most of the roads here are bad for my car. I was able to start it a few times but it would just stumble and die. I could hear the fuel pump priming when i would try and start it. I pressed on the schrader valve on the fuel rail and there was no pressure, not even a slight pfffff of fuel. After three starts and stumbling to a stop it wouldn't start again, assuming it was just burning the remaining fuel it could from the fuel line?
Now it is in my driveway as I attempt to do what I can before having it towed in the the shop. I changed the fuel filter, eliminating it as the culprit. It still won't start, still no pressure at schrader valve. I've got over a half tank of fuel and rarely let it go below 1/3 tank full. I had the fuel pressure regulator replaced last Feb., it was leaking down through the plenum. I don't see any of those symptoms from then now.
I am fairly adept at working with my motor but know when to not get in over my head, I think I'm almost there. If anyone has and ideas or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Buy/rent/borrow/steal a pressure gauge and hook it up and see what your pressure is.

From everything you've described, it sounds like the pump went bad and doesn't push enough pressure anymore.

 

You mention no fuel pressure , a good fuel filter , and hearing the pump run at each start up attempt , correct ? ..... The two things that come to my mind are either the pump is bad (just because the pump motor runs is no solid proof that it actually pumps fuel) or that the rubber hose in the fuel tank connecting the pump to the metal line on the sender unit has rotted and broken open . Either way it sounds like it's likely that the fuel tank will need to come out ..... That is , of course , your 100% certain there IS half a tank of gas as you said .... Just curious , did ya try to throw a gallon or two at it and still have no fuel pressure ?

 

Thanks, I will get hold of a pressure tester. Prob can do loaner tool from part store. My gut tells me it's a busted hose in the tank. Fuel pump was replaced a little less than 2 years ago, maybe hose wasn't replaced, or was replaced with wrong type. I'm guessing a pressure reading of near 0 would indicate hose problem and a otherwise very low reading could indicate a failing pump that runs but doesn't push hard enough for motor to start. I wish I had the ***** and experience to drop the tank myself. I will post on the outcome of pressure test. Thanks again.

 

To answer the fuel level question, I'm certain there is plenty of fuel, filled up 2 days prior and only drove about 65 miles or so. I may still put another gallon in it to put my shred of doubt to rest. Also, there is no fuel odor underhood or around car, except for when i changed fuel filter.

 

Sorry for the delay in the follow-up, but ya'll were both dead on. My neighbor down the street had a fuel pressure tester, tested it, no pressure. I towed it to the shop down the road I use. He dropped the tank and confirmed the busted fuel line inside the tank. After repairing the line and hooking it all back up he tested it. Then he was getting readings of only 15-20 psi on the fuel rail. So he had to then replace the fuel pump too. So I had a busted fuel hose in the tank and a failing fuel pump that was pumping, but not pumping enough. Thanks for the insight and advice.

 

Glad to have helped! Even happier that you got it back on the road!

 

Hello Guys new to the site and thanks , have a problem no signal to the fuel pump on my 86 Z28 test the pump and it is dead , but don't understand why no signal changed the fuel pump relay and no good any ,also put a new ecm and the same no signal any ideas