When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
well, id start with the basics. Id hope you checked the vital fluids before turning it over, so the fisrt place to start would be spark fuel and air. Im guessing its still equipped with tbi injectioin, so the first thing to do is take the air cleaner apart and make sure no critters have nested in there. Then you can proceed to checking for fuel, turn the key to the on position and listen carefully for the fuel pump prime. If you can hear it prime, then move to the throttle body. take the air clean lid off and have someone turn the engine over while you look in the throttle body itself and look for the injectors. They should be spraying a noticeable amount of fuel while cranking. It they do, then move to spark. You can use a tool that goes in between the plug and wire itself to verify spark, or you can pull a spark plug wire off of one of the spark plugs, pull the plug out of the engine, stick it in the wire and let the spark plug rest on something metal to ground itself. Turn the engine over once more and watch the plug for a nice blue spark. If all of these thing are working correctly it should run.
While the plug is out check it for fuel fouling (soaking wet).
If the fuel wan no treated to a stabilizer the volatility may be about the same as kerosene, possibly even lower. If it gets down to a question of fresh fuel, you can manually administer some through the TB. If the plugs are not soaked/fouled with stale fuel, it should fire if there is spark.
If you aren't getting spark at the plugs I'd check/replace the ICM in the distributor. I drove my car into storage last fall and could not get it running last week, turned out no spark from a bad ICM that failed in a couple months of sitting.
So, I went and listened for the pump and I could hear the buzz for about 1.5 sec.
That means except for changing the fuel I dont have anything to do with the back end? I was very worried about dropping the tank or cutting of a window on top to get to the pump.
Next I am going to open up the air cleaner and make sure it's clean. I have ordered a tool to drain the fuel and add some fresh gas. Right after that I will spray some gas in the TBI and see if it fires up.
Do you guys recommend adding some fresh oil to the engine?
So, I went and listened for the pump and I could hear the buzz for about 1.5 sec.
That means except for changing the fuel I dont have anything to do with the back end? I was very worried about dropping the tank or cutting of a window on top to get to the pump.
Next I am going to open up the air cleaner and make sure it's clean. I have ordered a tool to drain the fuel and add some fresh gas. Right after that I will spray some gas in the TBI and see if it fires up.
Do you guys recommend adding some fresh oil to the engine?
The buzz you hear is the pump priming. It means it's in some sort of operational state, but the true check would be to see what kind of pressure it's putting out, and if you're actually getting fuel up to the motor.
If you're going to drain the fuel, replace the fuel filter too. It's easy to do while you're under the car.
You should probably do an oil and filter change, but that has nothing to do with the starting issue UNLESS you haven't checked the oil and it's all leaked out. The engine will not start if the oil pressure is too low--it's smart like that (oil pressure cut-out switch tied in with the fuel pump).
Other than that, do your basic checks man. Look at all the fluids (brakes, power steering, oil, trans (auto) and coolant). Look over all the hoses and belts. Look for any loose electrical connections or wires. Pop the air cleaner to make sure it's not inhabited.
I'm assuming by "not starting" it will actually turn over, just not fire?
Your injectors are probably varnished up not letting the fuel through. Take them out and clean/have them cleaned. TB right?
Chances are good that you have fuel all the way up to the TB.
2. That's your fuel pressure regulator. If you got a throttle body rebuild kit, it should have a new diaphragm that you would use to reassemble the unit with. Taking it apart allows you to thoroughly clean the unit.
Loosen the fuel line at the TBI to see if any fuel is flowing at all. If not the fuel filter is suspect. With a new filter, connect a test gauge and measure pressure. Expect 11-13 PSIG. Below 11 is not a good thing.
If no pressure is developed but you hear the pump running, you might have a problem at the pump assembly, possibly something like this:
If you are rebuilding the TBI injector pod, consider this:
I installed the new injectors and the adjustable regulator.
I opened the feed line, it's dry. No fuel when pump is priming.
ordered a new fuel filter.... but realistically, has a fuel filter ever failed by sitting for sometime? What are the chances? Has ever changing fuel filter solved any problems?
Yes, but crack line into filter if fuel sprays when keyed up, it's propally the filter. Crack line after filter and check for fuel when keyed up. Remove filter and drain and blow thru, if restricted your ears will pop from the restriction. If blows thru easily it's propally fuel pump and or restricted pre pump filter.Test fuel pressure and volume. If tank comes down replace pump, pre filter (sock) and tank unit (if corroded or also have gauge issues). On F bodies I have done more fuel pumps than just a filter. I have done on brand new cars, when run low or out of fuel. Again test before any parts are replaced. Saves money and time.
Joe
