I've posted this in the Engine Topic as well:

Ok, here's the whole story. Yesterday I was driving my 88 Camaro 2.8 V6 to school and went through a sh**load of puddles and rivers because it was pouring outside. Needless to say, the car stalled out. So I got it to the side and tried starting it without success. I had to get a ride.

8 Hours later I return and try to start it with my friend. It had stopped raining. After about 10 attempts, it finally revs up for about 10 seconds and then dies. Like I had it revving at 5K and then TOTALLY cut out. Tried some more and it was a no go. So we pushed it home with my van.

So I got it home, charge the battery and still try to no avail. At one point it started for 5 seconds, was revving high and then completely cut out like before. So we let it sit the night.

Tried again today and it ran for about a good 15 seconds. I had it idling nice and smooth at about 2K and then, BAM, cuts right out. Hasn't started since. But sounds like it wants to. And each time, I smell gas.

Every time we are trying to start it, it cranks and cranks and then really sounds like it wants to kick over. I've already checked the cap, wires, etc. Everything is dry and sprayed with silicone. I am hearing the fuel pump come on every time I turn the key as well.

NOW, before all this happened, I was experiencing the following problems: 1.) I smelled fuel when I would get out of the car. Strong odor of gas. 2.) My RPM's had been fluctuating. Like the needle would twitch up and down. And I'd be at a light and the car would sound like it would want to stall out, but never did. Ran fine when I was on the gas. 3.) I had a pesky engine light coming on that I never got around to checking.

Can anyone make a diagnosis as to what my problem may be!?!?! It really seems like I got the spark, but the engine is somehow starving for fuel. I have 3/4 of a tank in the car and have already put Drygas in the tank. I don't want to have to walk! THANKS FOR ANY HELP! :hail:

 

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it. Sounds like a bad fuel pump

 

Have you dx the battery yet since the engine light came on?? If not, the code should still be in the brain, get it out, and see what it says. IMO, if your smelling gas, your getting enough, its air or spark. Have you checked the plugs?? If they are the least bit used looking, replace. I dont have my book with my, but check the charcole(sp) canister, see if its fine., craked, etc. Also check vacume lines. Could have gotten water in them. Buy now the air filter should have dryed, see if it got wet, if so, replace it also. The paper ones are trash if they have gotten wet.

 

i had the same problem a while back.. but mine wouldn't go at all.. just change the plugs and your oil and i bet it starts up... if it is the same thing mine did...

 

I did plugs and changed the oil about 2 weeks ago. So I doubt that they could be bad. But I'll pull them and check em'.

Yeah, stupid me disconnected the battery before getting the code, so we have to diagnose this the old fashioned way. Air filters are dry as a bone. I believe the charchol canister could use replacing because it does reak. Would this keep a car from starting though? Haven't spotted any vacuum leaks.

I already applied voltage to terminal G on the diagnostic terminal and the fuel pump runs. I just realized that this fuel pump is located IN the tank?!?!?! I sure hope I don't have to replace it, that will be a bitch.

I'll try to get my hands on a gauge and test it soon. What kind of pressure should it be reading?. . and where do I connect it? Right in the back of the MPFI where the fuel line is?

Thanks

 

Reading should be about 40-45 psi. There is a shrader valve on the back of the fuel rail -- that's where you connect it.

 

Ok, well I didn't get my hands on a gauge yet, but I thought I'd try something. I applied power to the "G" terminal of the diagnostic terminal and that makes the fuel pump run. I disconnected the fuel line at the back of the MPFI on the motor. When the fuel pump runs, it gushes like a river up front, so I know it works.

That's where I am at right now. I'll probably still get a gauge, but keep the replies coming. Thanks! :hail:

 

Ok, good job on checking them. Sorry to here about dx the battery. I'm at home now so I have my repair books
Symptom 2 "rotates but wont start
g. ecm or fuel pump faulty
h. Moisture on or damage toignition system

Symptom 7 "starts but stoops immediately
a. Loose/damaged wire harness on dist., coil, or alt. Hum, maybe alt got to wet??
b. Intake manifold leaks
c. low fuel

symptom 25 "fuel oder"
a. Fuel leakage
b. Charcoal canister filter clogged
c. vapor leaks from emissions control lines.

under engine stalls, you said it trys sometimes.
bad emissions components, and vacume leak

in here it also says any time the check engine light comes on, you have something wrong with emissions. hope this helps.

 

Thanks for all the replies and insight!!! :hail:

I believe 1986CamaroSC may be the winner here. After I saw that the fuel pump was indeed pushing fuel toward the motor, I figured to pull the plugs and have a look. HOLY SH**!!!!!! 1 month old plugs and they are fouled as anything. Very black and smelly.

New plugs, cap and rotor are on the agenda for tomorrow as well as an oil change if the thing starts. If it runs I'll be happy as a pig in you know what.

What would cause my plugs to look this bad in just a month? Prior to buying the car, it had sat for about a year. The kid said he started it every week, but you know how that goes. I changed the plugs and oil a week after getting the car. I've always had a smell of gas when I get out of the car too. Am I running too rich? Maybe I need to adjust timing?

Thanks again!!! :hail:

 

Could have been gapped wrong. Some of them probs did state plus/wires/cap/rotor, but you said you replaced that so, I was like, skip that one. Let us know. I found my prob out tonight I think

 

Ok, new plugs, cap and rotor and now I don't get anything. Cranks and cranks but doesn't even sound like it wants to start at all.

I tested for spark, and I am getting spark.

I did the test on the coil in the Haynes manual and I am kind of confused as to what I am exactly supposed to be checking for. All of the tests seemed good except for test #3 where is says it is supposed to be infinate??? The needle only jumps a little bit.

But If I am getting spark, my coil should be ok, right?

Any ideas?

 

It's not timing either, I just checked that.

 

Replace coil.
Aftermarket Accel unit is great choice.
Remote mount it.
You're welcome.
PS Gushing fuel does not equate proper fuel pressure. Been there. Use gauge & It's 45+.
Yes, it is a royal ice queen princess bitch all rolled into one to replace fuel pump.
One is easy to R & R & almost a sure thing cure for no start.
Guess which one?

 

Alas, it WAS the IGNITION COIL. CAR RUNS!!!

Thanks to everyone for their help!!! :hail:

 

for the fuel smell, make sure your EGR valve is not stuck open,
a bad EGR also makes a car had to start
as for the fouled plugs, do they smell like oil, or is it just carbon fouling?

if its just carbon fouling, your running too rich for a reason

when was the last time you changed your 02 sensor?
coolant temperature sensor?
you dont have a foolish mod like a resistor in your IAT line, do you?
do you know how to set your TPS and idle learn procedures?
any vacuum leaks?

 

Have a Pat's & Gino's Cheesteak for me.
Desert of Tastykake & Brooklyn Bagles (NE Philly Mall area) fresh from the oven.
Lee's Hoagies for late nite snack.
Damn I miss Philly Junk Food!
PS For fun, compare the brightness of the new coil spark, now. Compliment new coil with new plugs, plug wires & cap/rotor.