My car still isn't starting. I still have to check for spark and check the fuel pump, but if I come up zeroes with those, then I'll have to have the car taken to a shop.

I'm in Hamilton, I can't get ahold of Marco on here or via text and Mazdees is a long way for a tow.

Can anyone recommend a mechanic closer to me? I would send my car to my usual garage, but I'd prefer someone who has worked on someones 7 before.

 

Guaranteed it's going to be one of those 2. I'm going to lean heavily on it being the fuel pump.
In the 17yrs I've owned the car, the only time it gave me trouble starting was either a dieing battery or the fuel pump.
The spark has never given up. When we were troubleshooting the starting problem we checked the spark just to be sure, and the sucker gave off a fantastic spark.
When we pulled the fuel line from the engine side, the thing wasn't flowing even a tiny bit of fuel.
Changing the fuel pump takes 5-10min tops.

 

I should have a stock pump....let me know if you need it.

 

Seriously eh? That quick? I figured it would take longer being in-tank. Do you have a write up for it?

Dom - if that's my problem, I'll take you up on it. Maybe with a strategic sick day thrown in this week I can make it to the spring meet.

 

There's nothing to it. Real common sense approach to it.
Lift the rear carpet and you'll find the access door to the fuel pump on the left. The whole thing is tied together. Unscrew the bolts, lift, and replace pump. Really easy

 

When you remove the spark plugs, are they:
wet = flooded
dry = no fuel, lack of fuel pump pressure, fuel filter plugged...

Pull the 2 lower, leading plugs and squirt in a shot of WD40. Then put them back in and hook up the wires and give it a crank. If it starts and then dies, the WD40 is temporary fuel but it eventually dies due to lack of gasoline.

 

I was hoping this was the case. Thanks man.

Awesome advice. I wish I had thought of that. I pulled the plugs and they were dry, but it had been a while since the car had run.

 

you could try pulling the fuel line before the filter and try turning over the engine, put something to catch the gas that should pump, if you have gas to that point then put the line back on the filter and try the end after the filter for flow, could be a bad filter....Good luck

 

i would talk to Marco thewird, if you can't fix it. he's not to far from Hamilton.
He's a busy man, but knows his ****....
he's rebuilding my engine... can't wait for my baby

 

I've messaged him and sent him a few texts, but he's been too busy to reply.



I'll be trying all of these suggestions. If I get this sorted out and make it to the spring cruise, I shall buy each of you a beer.

 

You've got 5 days and counting.

 

Any mazda dealer can handle it no problem. Ive seen more than one fd in my local mazda dealer. They will only charge you 1 hour for no start diag and from there you can decide what to do.

 

I once got fooled by forgetting to plug in the MAF after toying with the air intake. It would seem to start, but soon stall.
And check EGI fuses, too, located under the hood by left shock tower.

 

Scrodes call my old man, if you can get it towed to him, he can solve it for you for sure. Fk if I was back I would come by!!!! Change that fuel pump, they get sorta buggy after so many years

 

Sometimes taking EGI out crank the car 10 second two times.. put back the EGI and while pressing gas half way start the car again it will back fire heavy and start the car, check everything by step by step if you car was running before and this happen after winter either battery or this for me.

 

If it is a consistent no start (doesn't offer to start at all) check the basics. Check for fuel pressure and spark. By what you've described sounds like a lack of fuel. If you have no fuel getting to the engine, check your fuses and check the connector at the fuel pump for power and ground before you go replacing the pump itself.

 

So here's where I'm at;

I have spark.

I dont hear the fuel pump come on - not even jumping it with a wire in the diagnostic box as explained above. Something electrical under the hood does click when i do that though.

I sprayed some WD40 in the leading plug holes and turned the car over, but it didnt catch.

Thoughts?

 

PMd you

 

Yep, exactly what happened to me.
If the car was operating fine the last time you ran it, and this time you already attempted things with the battery (jump starting and charging it), it's definitely the fuel pump.

Hope you have a spare fuel pump lying around.

I replaced my Supra pump about 7-8yrs ago. Yes, even the upgraded Supra pump goes bad after awhile.

Get that sucker replaced!

Anyone got a spare fuel pump kicking around?

 

I Pm'd him....I have my stock one which I removed 2 summers ago and was working fine....I just upgraded to the Walbro 400 LPS, I told him its his he just needs to grab it from me

 

Sent you a text Dom - thanks buddy.

I just got home or I would've messaged you sooner and come to grab the pump. If you're around tomorrow I'll grab it off you and hopefully have the car running for Sunday.

 

Deff pump, hope you get her done in time!!!

 

Get her done!

 

Picked up the pump last night because Dom's an awesome guy, installing it in a bit!

 

She's running!


Thanks so much for your help guys. The fuel pump died.

Special thanks to Dom for his fuel pump and for thinking ahead and bringing it with him to work so I could grab it last night.


I was almost bested by a phillips screw that holds the bracket for the pump on. It was already stripped when I pulled the assembly from the tank.