Couple of weeks ago I got home and noticed gas smell, checked under car (86 base) and gas was dripping down from rusted out fuel line. The car's in an underground garage, so I depressurized the system and then disconnected the fuel hose at the front and drained the system, so it wouldn't blow up. Then finished exams.

Finally got around to fixing things up over the last couple of days, changed both lines from fuel pump to firewall, got everything back together, primed up the system (for maybe a minute) and it will not start. No gas smell, plugs are dry, not flooded. Also no little helpers around 'til tonight...

I cut the one solid line and attached a wee bit of hose up front, but I can't see that affecting anything.

Anyone have any ideas? It's a nice day -- I just wanna go for a rip!

 

This may sound stupid BUT did you hook up the fuel lines correctly?? From the fuel filter to the main fuel rail (smaller rail) and from the secondary fuel rail (long rail) to the gas tank return line? I did this a looooong time ago and the car would not start

 

Just stating the obvious here, but maybe you crossed the lines ??

Hugues -

 

Ya, I was thinkin that too... I think that they're ok, but anything's possible. Had a couple beer after the last exam, then started workin'... probably bad combo. Maybe I'll try switchin' up the lines at the fuel pump. Thanks.

 

make sure you used fuel injection fuel lines and not ones for a carb. i did that and had a fuel leak within a few months.

and then after that, make sure you're using the correct size of hose. i had yet another fuel leak a few months after that cuz the shop that fixed it for me used 5/8's (i think) instead of a metric sized hose (could just been way off in the first case though).

i'd check the plugs to see if they're getting any gas when you crank the engine. easy thing to check before ripping off the whole intake.

john

 

Ya, I used the right lines. Just ran a bit of (high pressure) fuel hose (mad expensive) in the back on top of the tank and over the suspension. It seems ok under pressure. I was thinkin' of throwin some insulation on it, just in case, though it's quite far from the exhaust.

I switched the lines, I'll go back down in a bit and try to start her again.

Plugs were dry, I checked that.

Thanks.

 

That was it... Fixed. What a rotard I am. Oh well, live and learn.

 

Its ok. Most people do it.

 

so you switched the lines at the pump or rails?

you should be carefull they they are not backwards at both ends now. cause that would run too. but then the fuel filter woudln't be doing anything.

 

Would making fuel flow backwards thru the filter @ the firewall maybe damage it and cause it to come apart and flow bits of it into the tank? Maybe plug a line?

 

Switched them from the pump up to aft of the firewall. I don't think intermediate filters will be an issue -- just straight line. Everything ahead of that looked fairly healthy.
Got some tax $ today -- maybe I'll do a more fun mod now... But what fun could really top changing a fuel line with a couple of jack stands in an underground parking garage? Makes me wanna move to the country.