Okay, I've just about had it with this TPI system. I replaced the MAF with a working one. Then it acted like it wasn't getting gas. I don't have a pressure tester. But I pressed on the relief valve and the rail was completly dry. So I pulled the gas lines apart under the TPI and ran the pump side into a jug. Turned the key on and it pumps when it primes and also pumps after it builds oil pressure while turning the motor over. So the pump is working. And the pump is new. I also removed the fuel filter and changed it.
Now for the problem... I changed the fuel pressure diaphram because I wasn't getting any fuel through my rails. Everything up to the regulator is in functioning order. But it if I let the pump prime the car will start then die in 30seconds from running out of fuel. 2nd attempt it kinda starts. 3rd attempt nothing at all. If I let it sit for a minute. I can turn it back on, let the pump prime and it will start and run for 30 seconds.
I've narrowed it down to a couple things. Whats your thoughts?
A.) fuel pump is just not working right?
B.) the pressure regulator still isn't working?
C.) the car did sit for 2 years. the tank was almost dry(maybe a gallon of gas). i drained what I could and put fresh in. Bad gas?
D.) I have no codes now except for my temp sensor. Which the end is broke off of?
Does the temp sensor affect the starting ot the TPI? Oh, and does anyone know if autozone does the tool rental thing on fuel pressure tester? I think I'm going to need one

 

Theres a way to relieve the fuel pressure in the fuel lines without having that tool. I dont know if this is frowned upon or what, but its what im planning to do. (im currently changing my fuel pressure regulator for a similar symptom). You go to your fuse panel, unplug the fuel pump fuse, turn the car over til it shuts off. Sit and crank it three times or until it wont fire. Make sure you put back in your fuse after your done though.

 

I'm not worried about relieving pressure. I'm just wanting to hook a gauge to it to see if the pressure drops off. I know how to relieve the pressure. The only thing I guess I'm trying to ask is... If anyone would have any ideas on why I'm not getting gas to the fuel rail. Is it possible to put in a low pressure pump from a TBI or carb camaro? I know the pump is working and pumping fuel. But It never really seems to build any pressure in the fuel rails. It's getting fuel. I'm just not sure if it's enough.
And the car will run on carb cleaner. It'll idle great on it. But when I rev it up it sounds like it's running rough... I know it's running on carb cleaner.... But.. it sounds like it's missing if I give it any gas. If my timing was 180degrees off. It would back fire and spit and pop wouldn't it? It really idles good and smooth. Until I quit feeding it carb cleaner.
I guess I'll start dropping the tank tomorrow. And I'll see if I can rent a fuel pressure tester.

 

Would it possibly be a leak in the fuel line somewhere? Just like sucking through a straw, if theres a leak in the line where air can get in, the fluid, in this case gasoline, wont flow consistantly?

 

i checked for leaks too. I didn't ind any. It's almost like the pumps not pumping enough fuel. The pump between a TBI ant TPI look kinda the same. But they are totally different. My buddy that changed the pump might not have known they gave him the wrong part number. The wiring harness is the same number. So I think it could be a possibility.

 

Well... i might have found my problem. I went and bought a coolant temp sensor. So now my car has no codes at all! But it still starts for about 30seconds then acts like it's running outta gas. So I took the fuel pump out. And it seems that the full tank of 2 year old gas has eatin away everything rubber in the tank. I barely have a rubber hose from the pump to the sending unit. It even made the insulation for the wiring swell up.
I'm going to get a new strainer, wiring harness, and rubber hose tomorrow. I think it was still pumping fuel but when it got to higher pressure it was just spitting it back in the tank. I'll give an update tomorrow.
Oh, I don't have any codes. But... When it does run for a little bit. It dies imediately if I give it the gas. But if i barely pump it I can get it to run up to 2,000rpm. You think this would just be from the lack of fuel pressure? Or would another sensor cause a problem like that? I know I'll find out tomorrow. But I just wan't to see what you guys thought.

 

That was exactly what I was going to suggest. That it was the hose between the fuel pump and the metal line inside the pump. And that is exactly where all your problems are coming from. The FPR acts like a dam when there is throttle and blocks the line and allows fuel pressure to build up. Normally the fuel pressure builds because the fuel pump keeps...pumping and the line is blocked (by the FPR) but in your case, all the gas just falls back into the tank via the faulty hose... good luck though!

 

Okay... The rotted fuel line inside the tank was defientely my fueling issue. Then I was getting a problem with too much fuel. I put my original MAF in. Still had the problem, But I started switching relays(MAF, burn-off, fuel pump). Then now to my surprize... My original MAF isn't bad! The car runs pretty good now.
But i have a new problem... I'm leaking oil out of a bolt hole down by where the mechanical fuel pump would go. I'll ask this question in the engine forums.
I figured I just give an update on the car. Thanks guys.

 

maybe you should try to tighten that bold? maybe an O-ring?

 

Somebody before me took all the smog stuff off. But apparently that certain hole does go all the way into the block. I put some sealer on a bolt and put it in there.(there wasn't even a bolt there to begin with.) Now I get to figure out what heater hoses I'm going to need. They took everything off this car! I got it all in a box... hopefully it's all there.... Of course they threw away all the expensive stuff.