OK So my 89 Bird came home on a flatbed for the first time the other night. Of all the things that have broken this is the first time I could't limp it home. I got a couple hesitations and then it just died, no restart.

1. It will run on starting fluid
2. I can hear the 6 month old AC Delco fuel pump prime
3. I can taste fuel vapor when I pull a vacuum on the FPR, No actual fuel


After letting it sit, it'll start up for 30 seconds or so and then die without starting fluid.

Big question and I haven't found a definitive answer anywhere.. Can I change the FPR diaphragm without pulling the fuel injection? Torx 10 security style I know.

 

You'll have to pull at least the plenum to access the reg screws

 

OK So check the fuel pressure. 40ish PSI with the key on start it on fluid goes to 35 shut it down and it holds pressure...

Still only runs on Starting fluid

 

Check Oil Pressure Sending Switch and Fuel Pressure Relay, Sound like a fuel delivery issue. Was the fuel filter changed out?

EDIT: Also, How are the injectors; new/original. they may be clogged. Change em out.

 

shouldn't go to 35 psi...

 

Its definitely a fuel delivery... Oil pressure switch will do that? I've got pressure within the range on the fuel rail..... 30-40PSI

 

30-40 will let it fire, but if the injectors are clogged, it won't get any fuel to the cylinders.
Check your fuel filter. Fuel is making it to the rail and then running out due to clogged filter.

 

Hope thats not it... Fuel pump, Sock and filter were all changed about 7000 miles ago. I'll give it a shot.

Brand new South Bay 22lb injectors are about 1000 miles old

 

The fuel filter under the car by the axle.

 

read this thread

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...maybe-oil.html

 

OK So i just tapped into the fuel rail with the schrader and a hose. It'll build pressure but there is no volume of fuel. I'll run through the other suggestions and change the filter

 

Just a bit of info.....if the pump is working good, the filter is new, and you have fuel in the tank, your pressure on the fuel rail should fill with fuel in the 2 sec prime when you turn the key.
It should build pressure in 2 secs.

Keep us posted

 

OK So it's not the FPR Just changed it. It holds pressure better. The old diaphragm had a split in one layer but not the other. Still will just fire up and die a couple times... Then will not even fire up unless I let it sit for several hours.

Question If I hook up to the pressure port on the fuel rail with an open hose, key on, it should free flow pump fuel out right? Because it does not do that..

Gonna pull the fuel filter next... it's less than a year old and 4000 miles ...

 

[QUOTE=FormulasOnly;5980777]
Question If I hook up to the pressure port on the fuel rail with an open hose, key on, it should free flow pump fuel out right? Because it does not do that..

QUOTE]


Yes. Make sure you remove the Schrader valve when you check this. It works just like a tire valve.


Filter should not be clogged after 4k miles, but you never know, if it wasn't changed previously for a long time it may have re-clogged. It's worth checking.

 

OK So it's back up and running. It was surprise surprise surprise .... the fuel pump... Not the fuel pump itself. Last time I changed it I used the bit of hose and plastic clamps supplied by AC Delco... The clamps don't hold tight enough and the hose was all swelled up and letting fuel bypass the line..
I swapped in the upgrade Bosch pump with better hose and the nice Bosch supplied clamps.

I've run around the neighborhood no issues ...

 

Great! Good news

 

OK Out for the long test drive.... after about 25 miles it starts hiccuping.... not stalling ... Just hiccuping

Can my next gremlin be the fuel pump relay? Also looking on the AC Delco website they call the oil pressure sending unit a fuel pump switch combo.....????