Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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From: Northwest Indiana
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
Alright guys, it wont start. Before she quit on me, she would idle rough but never stall out. Backed out of the drive way one day and she died.. It would start on starting fluid, but not anymore. When it would start with SF, i couldnt remive my foot from the gas pedal without it stalling out. I removed the distributor cap and the dizzy was rusty. Im back to work so i now have money to buy parts, where do i start? All help is appreciated!!
Re: Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
How old is the fuel? Fuel system is the primary suspect - fuel system problems are common on a car that's been sitting. Even more in this case since you had a period where it was helped by starting fluid.
The first thing I'd check is the fuel pressure.
You posted under V6 and your profile mentions a 1991 RS, so I'm assuming that's what this is, so that would make it an MPFI 3.1L.
In that case, fuel pressure should be about 42-43psi with the key on, engine off. It's referenced against manifold vacuum so it drops to the high 30s when engine is idling. When you turn the key back off, it should hold pressure, dropping only a few psi in 15 minutes. If it leaks down fast that indicates a leak somewhere, maybe at an injector, though this shouldn't keep the car from starting it's still something to check while a gauge is on it.
Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn on the key? If you blip the key for a moment, does the pump run?
Make sure you don't have any blown fuses. 2 of the fuses are for the injectors.
If the ECM doesn't detect ignition pulses then it won't open the fuel injectors. This can be checked using a laptop connection with a program like WinALDL - they show up as "DRP occurred" (Distributor Reference Pulse). But without connecting to the data connector, I'm not sure of any other way to check that.
The first thing I'd check is the fuel pressure.
You posted under V6 and your profile mentions a 1991 RS, so I'm assuming that's what this is, so that would make it an MPFI 3.1L.
In that case, fuel pressure should be about 42-43psi with the key on, engine off. It's referenced against manifold vacuum so it drops to the high 30s when engine is idling. When you turn the key back off, it should hold pressure, dropping only a few psi in 15 minutes. If it leaks down fast that indicates a leak somewhere, maybe at an injector, though this shouldn't keep the car from starting it's still something to check while a gauge is on it.
Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn on the key? If you blip the key for a moment, does the pump run?
Make sure you don't have any blown fuses. 2 of the fuses are for the injectors.
If the ECM doesn't detect ignition pulses then it won't open the fuel injectors. This can be checked using a laptop connection with a program like WinALDL - they show up as "DRP occurred" (Distributor Reference Pulse). But without connecting to the data connector, I'm not sure of any other way to check that.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Georgetown TX
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
Once you've done the usual tune up stuff (plugs etc.) and checked fuel pressure you should check the injectors and fuel pressure regulator. One bad injector will prevent starting.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
Sweet, I'll check the fuel pressure asap. I have to work tonight so it probably won't be till tomorrow afternoon. Should I do a tune up first? Or should I check the fp?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Its almost spring, and my camaro is still in the garage
Oh, and the fuel is from October. I have a siphon pump, should I just take it out or can I add fresh fuel to it? Also, the fuel pump was replaced in september. You can hear it prime when you turn the key. Tomorrow after i get hime from school im going to do a tuneup. Ill inform you guys of whats going on!
Last edited by VictorGBKirk; Feb 27, 2014 at 11:13 PM.
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