The facrory manual suggests using a multi-pressure tester, which might help me solve my problem, but I can't seem to find them on the internet anywhere. Do they have a more specific name?

 

What are you trying to do???


-Ted

 

well I'm about to replace a fuel filter, but also I have a fuel problem that won't let my car start and I was thinking maybe a pressure tester would be able to narrow down the problem.

 

The S4 FSM uses a digital fuel pressure tester, but any suitable gauge teed into the fuel line will work exactly the same. That's exactly what the S5 FSM shows.

 

Yeah, any pressure tester that can handle the gasoline should be okay.
Since this is just spot testing, you don't have to worry about safety issues on running a line with fuel in it into the interior!

In a pinch, you can use an oil pressure gauge!
Something that reads up to 100psi should be fine.

Good luck!


-Ted

 

Sounds simple, but i have one more question. A Self-diagnosis checker, the manual says I can test fuel/air ratio and stuff but I looked them up and they seem pretty expensive. Any suggestions on those?

 

It could be as simple as a flooded engine..and if you check the plugs and find out they are Wet then it just may be,That could be why you are not starting..you can go ahead and change the fuel filter but I would suggest to look up Deflooding,and also How to do a Compression Check using a conventional piston engine compression tester,to see what kind of shape your internals are in..my 2 cents

 

I think your right on that, I've been deflooding it for the past couple of hours by pulling the egi fuses and about 15 minutes ago it kicked over for about 5 seconds. I tested the fuel pressure and it was around 45psi, is that a good number?

 

Sounds far too high. It should idle at ~28psi and even with the vac hose pulled off the regulator it should only be ~36psi. That's measuring the pressure after the fuel filter.

 

You need a different approach in my Humble opinion.

If I were you, I'd do one of two things. Either make a fuel cut switch right now, or disconnect the fuel pump plug that is under the rear strut tower carpet.

In my Humble opinion, I (lots of I in my posts) think you should leave all the fuses in while cranking the engine but cut the fuel pump out of your starting procedure.

For fuel, buy two cans of starter fluid. Spray in the intake filter for two seconds, no more. Start the car. You now have fuel AND spark at the same time. Nothing but good things can happen.

If it starts for a moment, then do it again a couple of times before reconnecting the fuel pump.

I've other opinions about starting cars that are flooded, but that's for later if it won't start doing the above.

By the way, take a look and see if the water thermo sensor is connected at the back of your water pump Housing. Green jack on it.

 

I'll try the starter fluid today for sure, it's close to turning over and probably just needs the extra bang. As for the fuel pressure being too high, how can I bring it down?

 

This is starting to seem even worse, even after a lot more attempts to unflood the engine and trying starter fluid it still refuses to turn over all the way. I've had one long sputter tonight but I'm doubting it will turn over and I'm starting to think the problem might be electrical. any thoughts?

 

uh are you sure you're getting spark?

try the ATF unflooding procedure

 

Update: It finally started. and kept running. Now the only problem is when I hit the gas it loses a lot of power, almost dies, I have to pump the gas to get it revved up and it absolutely refuses to go past 5krpm. There's smoke coming from the turbo and the exhaust is loudest under the passenger seat. I'm suspecting an exhaust leak and possibly a bad spark plug.