Hey fellas......got a problem that I hope someone can help with.

Basic info.....
92 Camaro 3.1
auto tranny
160,000 miles
Bought the car 6 weeks ago.
Car has ran fine up until a little over a week ago.

Symptom info......
After sitting overnight or all day at work, it took 4-5 times trying to start it before it would start. (cranked but wouldn't start)

After getting it started and driving it, it would fire right up after I got to work or home. (or anywhere else for that matter)

It only did it after sitting for any length of time.

2 days ago I started it and headed to work. I got 3 blocks away and it died as I was coming to a stop. Placed it in Park and it started right up. Continued to head to work. Got about 7 block away from the first incident and it died as I was driving down the road. Coasted over to the side of the road and started it back up. I then proceded to return home and grab the other car to take to work.

Yesterday, I replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump relay, cleaned the IAC and repaired the vacume line going to the smog pump. After doing that I tried to start it and it fired right up.....even after sitting since 6am friday.

thought my problem was solved.....nope.

Today I take it for a test drive and it drove fine for about 45 min, then it died on me while making a turn. I coasted to the side and tried to start it. I smelt something and when I opened the hood, there was a small fire on the passenger side by the rear of the head. I put it out and tried to start it again and noticed gas leaking from the underside of the exhaust manifold.....what the hell?

I towed it home and climbed under it to see where gas would be coming from. Found it.....hmmmmm........coming out of the manifold where the pipe attaches. Flooded? Fouled plugs? Injector stuck? I replaced the plugs with AC Delco's and tried to start it.......it started up. I took it for a test drive and it stalled on me twice, but started back up.

I now have a Check Engine Light on.....pulled the code.....#54 Fuel Pump Circuit (Low Voltage)

My head hurts!!!!!

Help!

Thanks!

 

You need to check the injectors. Sounds like one or more may be stuck open if you've got gas coming out of the exhaust manifold. Then....?

 

Yes, sounds like one or more bad injectors. Test for ohms also.

 

Ok......here's an update.

Replaced the injectors, fuel pressure regulator, and put it all back together.
Started fine....(that was sunday)
Got up this morning (monday) and headed to work.
The drive to work is 36 miles.
Car ran fine with no problems.
Car sat for 8 hours at work and when I left.....it started with no problem.
I headed home (another 36 mile trip).
Halfway home I decided to stop and get gas.
Got gas and again, it started right up.
Got 4 blocks away from the station and it died while I was driving.
Tried to start it and it took a few seconds of cranking before it started.
Took off and about 100 feet later, died again.
Same thing starting it.
It did this to me 3 more times before it decided to stay running and let me make it home.
I took out the computer to see if there was any corosion of any kind....nope, looked good. (I'm no expert though)
Put it back in and started it up....now I have a SES light on....code 54.
What the hell?
I know my pump relay is good and my oil switch is good(gauge works).

I love this car, reminds me of the one I had when I was younger....HOWEVER......I'm about ready set a match to it and go buy an import...lol

 

Well, there really is only one way to test the fuel pump relay and that's to put 12V on the green wire. It's not like the older cars that have the actual test port in the ALDL.

That being said, every time I've had a code 54, the ECM needed to be replaced.

Check the connections between the fuel lines and the rail. There are 2 o-rings on the lines and another gasket assembly between the fuel block and the rail itself. Also make sure the lines aren't damaged or, if they were removed to replace the injectors, that the connections aren't cross-threaded.

Get a fuel pressure gauge and test it.

 

Yep.....I think it's "ECM Time". It's behind the passenger side dash...right?

 

Ok......on the way home today I stopped by a salvage yard that does mostly scraping of cars to see if I could find a ECM. Found a 91 Firebird 3.1. Checked the ECM and saw "factory remanufactured Delphi" (I felt confident getting it since it was a reman), so I got it. Installed it. Still getting one or more injectors loading up (stuck open) on the passenger side. I hooked a pressure gauge to the fuel rail and turned the key. "key on, engine off....30psi" "engine running....40psi". Now when I let it sit, it does bleed down (doesn't hold pressure). I did replace the passenger side injectors......however....I got them at the bone yard. At $50 a piece, I was worried about throwing money at it needlessly. Guess I got bad injectors?

 

Don't replace injectors one at a time unless you know the condition of the others. Get the set from Southbay. I paid about $125 and they've been great. I previously got a set of Multec from Rockauto and one went out the night before a race. They were only a few months old so I got the one replaced but I never trusted them so got the Southbay set and the Multecs are back up spares.

 

I looked on Southbay but couldn't find any, let alone a set for $125. Link? How long did it take to get them?

 

Sorry bout that. We are launching a new website within the next month...if not sooner so you may not find certain products on our present site. We will keep everyone posted as to the launch date.

Anyway, we have the injectors in stock. They are the bosch gen ll's... 4 spray. Cleaned, flow tested, all new orings, screens, etc, and matched within 1%. Three year warranty as well.

If you are interested please give us a call at the shop and we will be more than happy to help you!

516-442-4707

 

HMMMMMM....all I have to say about that is......NICE! Thanks for the response! I'll be giving you a call next fri (payday). Are they $125? If so, is that with shipping? I'm in Granite City, Illinois.....right across the river from St Louis, MO.

 

Ok great, just give us a shout when you are ready. Unfortunately that does not include shipping. Priority is somewhere around $6-$7 and that will be 2-3 day delivery

 

Is there a core charge? If so, I may just go ahead and send my injectors this week so you'll have them before I order the new ones.

 

Nope core charge. Unfortunately we do not take or accept cores from certain applications as we would not be comfortable putting them back on the market. They are way too problematic. Thanks anyway

 

No core charge? Don't feel bad about that! Sounds like your company has a very good business practice.....great prices......no hidden fees.......quality and craftsmanship. Nice.....very nice! Thank you!

 

We certainly try. Thank you for the kind words

 

Can my injectors be bad even if the car idles fine? I just don't get it.....starts up and idles fine. Drive it for 20+ mins and then it wants to sputter and die on me, but then fires up again (with about 20 secs of cranking). Fuel pressure at rail is 30 when first energized, 40 running. Went out today and stuck an extension to each injector....could feel all of them clicking.

 

You may have other issues but if you don't know the injectors and fuel pressure regulator are good there's not much point doing other stuff yet.

 

Is there a way to check the regulator?

 

You can measure the fuel pressure and see if it changes correctly when you apply vacuum to it. Also, if you apply vacuum (with pump and gauge) does the vacuum bleed down? Plus, pull the vac line off and smell for gas in the vac line. If you can smell or see gas the diaphragm definitely needs to be replaced. However, as these cars are 20 plus years old the diaphragm probably needs to be replaced or will soon. And as you need to take off the same stuff to get to it you may as well do it once.

 

Well....got my new injectors today from Southbay. They looked great and the price was really good, $120.75 shipped to my door for 6 of them. Just got done putting them in and took it for a test run after I let it sit and idle for about 20 mins. Guess what happened? I got a block from my house.......wait for it.......wait for it.........yep, it died. Same problem as before. I drove around my neighborhood and it died 3 times on me, it does start right back up though. So now I have replaced all the injectors......IAC......fuel filter.......plugs.....and ECM. Before the injectors were replaced, last week it held 30 psi when inergized and 40 psi when running. I have no idea what to look for now......I'm stumped!!!!!!!!!