Hi guys. I have everything in my 89 Turbo II swapped. The motor spins and sparks and everything. However it doesn't start. Turns out it's not getting fuel. Fuel is making it all the way to the fuel filter but not past it. I replaced the fuel filter thinking maybe it was clogged, but that didn't help.

It's like there isn't enough pressure pushing the fuel from the filter to the engine.... Could this be because of a bad fuel pump? Or would it be some kind of vacuum problem? I guess I'd like to hear some opinions before I dump more money on a new fuel pump if that's not the problem. Thanks in advance for any help!

James

 

Did you check all of your fuel lines? Simple things like that can be a hassle when your swapping.

 

Yeah, I replaced the fuel lines when I did the swap. Fuel is in the line that runs to the filter. There's fuel in the actual filter, and fuel in the line right above the filter... but it's like there isn't enough pressure pushing it past the filter to make it to the engine for some reason.

 

Are you sure you didn't connect the fuel lines backwards? VERY common mistake and will result in no fuel reaching the engne.

 

line coming off the fuel filter goes to the FORWARD fuel line at the rats nest, the return line to the steel line at the firewall goes to the REARWARD fuel line at the rats nest.

 

Yes, triple checked, even swapped them just for the hell of it to see if that would work... and it didn't.

 

Rat's nest has been removed btw....

 

Then it sounds like you may have a clog in the fuel tank or a failing fuel pump.

I'm still trying to understand what you're saying though. If you disconnect the line that leads from the fuel pump to the engine then run the pump, does fuel come out?

 

yes, but it only comes out of the side close to the fuel filter... and only a little bit comes out... if i disconnect the line from the motor there's no fuel there. So it can't make it from one end of the line to the other... kinda just pools on top of the fuel filter

 

Fuel filter backwards?

 

The car was in storage for like 8-9 years after a blown engine. The previous owner never had the time to fix it apparently. And yes, I put gas in the car... So maybe the pump wore out over time? or a clog formed? If the latter is the case how do I go about fixing it?

 

You'll get fuel due to gravity flow from the tank until the fuel reaches it's own level in the tank. So if the outlet of fuel filter is above the fuel in the tank you wont see it come out the top. Liquid seeks its own level.

You could remove the hose from the outlet of the fuel filter and stick the end of the hose in the jar and quickly start of the engine enough to briefly turn over to see if fuel pumps into the jar. If nothing, I suspect issue with fuel pump.

jdonnell

 

Hmm, it does seem like the problem is the fuel pump. I just wanted to make sure it was the only thing that really pushes the fuel. I wasn't sure if some type of vacuum leak or something could cause the fuel to not reach the engine. Well, I might as well go with a better fuel pump then. What do you guys recommend? Walbro or FD/Supra? How much do they usually run?

 

Dirty fuel strainer in the gas tank ?

 

Hmm... sounds like my best option then is to pull the gas tank out and take a look at all that crap. Thanks for the ideas guys.