Car runs on starter fluid ONLY
Could it POSSIBLY be extremely flooded?? We tore it down and checked everything only to find the vacuum line to the oil injector unplugged. We checked everything around and it's all connected (even under the UIM) now. I can hear the pump going. We tried to start it but still hasn't BUT I messed with the idle screw at top by opening it up and it started for a good 3-5 seconds then died. It wouldn't start again....
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 9
From: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Could it POSSIBLY be extremely flooded?? We tore it down and checked everything only to find the vacuum line to the oil injector unplugged. We checked everything around and it's all connected (even under the UIM) now. I can hear the pump going. We tried to start it but still hasn't BUT I messed with the idle screw at top by opening it up and it started for a good 3-5 seconds then died. It wouldn't start again....
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
That is the proper way the fuel MUST flow.If it is Backwards it will not Run.
SO..Fuel filter To Primary rail..out of Primary to Secondary..out of secondary to Return line.
cloudx189
First things first... do you have gas in the tank?!?!?!?, before you say yes, go out and at least check your gauge!!!
if you do not have fuel in your tank, i dont know what to tell you
if you do, proceed with the following...
mechanics 101 says, if you have to dump fuel down the intake manually, then you have a fuel distribution problem...
first step in diagnosing a fuel distribution problem is verifying that you are getting fuel up to the engine bay.... so, pull the feed line off the fuel rail and verify that you are in fact getting fuel at the rail... if you are, what is the pressure and the volume???
if you are getting the appropriate pressure and volume, then you have a problem between the fuel feed line and the fuel return line which would suggest that you have one of the following...the fuel lines reversed(running the feed line thru the pressure regulator), or a bad fuel pressure regulator, or bad injectors or an electrical issue or a clogged fuel rail
most likely its an electrical issue... however, i would say that it IS NOT a "reversed" electrical connector (ie primary 1 crossed with primary 2), because you would still get fuel into the motor, albeit wrong... you would still get fuel non the less.
if you are not getting fuel to the engine bay, then you have a possible clogged filter, or a pinched fuel line, or a bad fuel pump, or an electrical problem at the pump...
First things first... do you have gas in the tank?!?!?!?, before you say yes, go out and at least check your gauge!!!
if you do not have fuel in your tank, i dont know what to tell you
if you do, proceed with the following...
mechanics 101 says, if you have to dump fuel down the intake manually, then you have a fuel distribution problem...
first step in diagnosing a fuel distribution problem is verifying that you are getting fuel up to the engine bay.... so, pull the feed line off the fuel rail and verify that you are in fact getting fuel at the rail... if you are, what is the pressure and the volume???
if you are getting the appropriate pressure and volume, then you have a problem between the fuel feed line and the fuel return line which would suggest that you have one of the following...the fuel lines reversed(running the feed line thru the pressure regulator), or a bad fuel pressure regulator, or bad injectors or an electrical issue or a clogged fuel rail
most likely its an electrical issue... however, i would say that it IS NOT a "reversed" electrical connector (ie primary 1 crossed with primary 2), because you would still get fuel into the motor, albeit wrong... you would still get fuel non the less.
if you are not getting fuel to the engine bay, then you have a possible clogged filter, or a pinched fuel line, or a bad fuel pump, or an electrical problem at the pump...
Sorry this took a while for a reply. Vacation. No the lines aren't reversed. The lines are noticeable in length to know which goes to the secondary or to the primary. I'll be changing the fuel filter anyway and will be testing the regulator.
BTW! The BAC was cracked and in the process of removal, broke from above where the lower bolt would go. So it's can't be screwed done (I'm assuming) very well using one end. Would this AT ALL cause the car failure to start?
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 9
From: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Also, as you described, the part that broke is actually a replaceable separate piece being the metal tube the coolant flows through.
so this is what is known for sure.
1. for the car to actually start, starter fluid is needed
2. once started, it runs fine over 3k rpms. it gets really choppy under that and cant hold an idle on its own and dies out.
3. the fuel line from the filter goes into the left side. this was never changed.
4. the BAC has one of the little wings with the hole used to bolt it on, broken off. its now held on by one(the top) bolt. im sure air is leaking in.
could what cloudx189 said about it having something to do with the primary injectors be right? it wont idle and it wont start on its own and acts like its not getting fuel during those times. if not the injectors themselves, then perhaps something to do with the wiring for them.
1. for the car to actually start, starter fluid is needed
2. once started, it runs fine over 3k rpms. it gets really choppy under that and cant hold an idle on its own and dies out.
3. the fuel line from the filter goes into the left side. this was never changed.
4. the BAC has one of the little wings with the hole used to bolt it on, broken off. its now held on by one(the top) bolt. im sure air is leaking in.
could what cloudx189 said about it having something to do with the primary injectors be right? it wont idle and it wont start on its own and acts like its not getting fuel during those times. if not the injectors themselves, then perhaps something to do with the wiring for them.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 9
From: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
You know what? You might not have properly seated the injectors when you re-installed them. If they're a bit cockeyed, that would cause your symptoms. I've seen that before.
Pull the injectors and check that the prinkle isn't dented. Also, check that the difusers that the injectors slide on top of aren't cracked. While they're out, you might want to consider replacing the O Rings on the difusers as a matter of maintenance as rock hard ones can cause idle issues all by themselves. Ask me how I know. :/
Pull the injectors and check that the prinkle isn't dented. Also, check that the difusers that the injectors slide on top of aren't cracked. While they're out, you might want to consider replacing the O Rings on the difusers as a matter of maintenance as rock hard ones can cause idle issues all by themselves. Ask me how I know. :/
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