I just bought an 87 firebird and I need a little help. I have tried everything to get the car running and have had no success. The car will turn over fine, but will not start. It is getting fuel and fire but will not start. I can here it popping in the exhaust like the timing is off, but it sems to be right. What are some problem areas that I should check first?

 

this may be a little on the extreme end of what mogh be wrong, but check compression. Also, I wouldn't doubt it if the timing is way off. Something you might also want to check -- a plugged CAT. I had a buddy who's car wouldn't start and we messed with it for the longest time. We finally came up with the bright idea that his CAT might be shot, so we took off exhaust at the headers, and the car fired right up. Then I ad my CAT clog on me, but luckily i had a big enough exhaust leak the the gases were able to escape enough that the engine ran, but i had no power and the engine wouldn't rev up.

 

replace the plugs i had to do the same to mine. also check to make sure evrythings conected properly r at least looks like it good luck

 

replace the plugs i had to do the same to mine. also check to make sure evrythings conected properly r at least looks like it good luck

 

replace the plugs i had to do the same to mine. also check to make sure evrythings conected properly r at least looks like it good luck

 

The plugs are new, and the timing seems right. The boy I bought it from was driving it and it quit. It hasn't cranked since. I had the ignition module checked and I am going to check the pick-up coil. The ignition coil works fine.Would a cat cause it to do this?

 

The timing chain might have skipped a tooth. Check compression on a few cylinders.

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Well, these are my only 3 thoughts if it's getting fuel and spark. The Distributor was removed from the car at some point after it quit running and it was put in wrong, plugged CAT, or bad compression. A plugged CAT would do this because the exhaust gas ca't escape from the pipe fast enought to allow the engine to take in fresh air, so it never fires and starts. It's just trying to ignite Fuel and Exhaust gas.

 

I don't think the distributor has been out since 87. The hold down is covered in grime and doesn't look like it has been touched. I will try to address the cat issue tomorrow( Weather permitting). I don't have access to a compression guage right now so that will have to wait.

 

check fuel pressure. might not have enough to run.

 

is it mpfi ot tbi? the only thing i can add that hasnt already been said is check your vacuum lines for cracks or colapses.


-earl-

 

I checked the cat and that isn't the problem. There isn't one! The fuel pressure crossed my mind also. I let the fuel pump prime and then I relieved the pressure and it barely spurted. How much pressure should there be for this car?

 

Your first post said you checked fuel........BUY A GAUGE. Without looking up specs, I think fuel pressure should be about 42-47 psi w/ pump running, engine off. Then it should drop to about 37-44 psi and HOLD for at least 20 minutes.

 

I checked the fuel pressure 40 psi. The inside of the distributor looks nasty. I am going to replace the pick-up coil and see what that does. Could it be the computer?