Psycho_91Camaro

Maybe big baby Lou can answer this or maybe someone with god like f-body knowledge,


1991
CAMARO
305 TBI AUTOMATIC


What occurred: I wanted to adjust the timing, for some reason it keeps getting itself out of timing, so what I did was loosen the distributor bolt and unplugged the EST cable and the car NO LONGER STARTED!!! it turned over and fired up then quickly died, after numerous attempts and hours later we left the car sit for a bit, I then sprayed starting fluid in the plenum and it started right up as if nothing had happen' I then let it warm up for about 3-4 minutes with the EST cable plugged in. I then unplugged it FIRED UP and instantly dies due to lack of fuel. I then plugged the EST cable in and it still didn't stay on idle, just kept turning, what the hell is wrong?

Potential Problems Checked out:
Fuel Pump Relay Working (SWAPPED the relay from the blower)
Checked E.C.M. fuse and FUEL PUMP fuse, both OK
MAP SENSOR GM NEW
INJECTORS ARE NEW REPLACED 10 MONTHS AGO
IGNITION COIL REPLACED 1 YEAR AGO AS WELL AS IGNITION CONTROL MODULE
NEW CAP AND ROTOR
VATS HAS BEEN DELETED FROM COMPUTER SO IT IS NOT A PROBLEM
OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO

Symptoms:
INJECTORS DRIPPING FUEL INTO PLENUM
Injectors cutting off fuel, seems to be dripping fuel into plenum
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON


What the hell else could I do?? I dont think it's the fuel pump since it's getting fuel (dripping) but then cutting off.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

What does your fuel pressure look like? When this happens to me i have a fuel pump going out.

Psycho_91Camaro

haven't tested it, but sometimes it drips out fuel.. from the injectors and after a while of cranking it wont drip out anymore.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Man, that really sounds like a fuel pump, pressure test your way to finding out, shouyld have above 12 lbs.

Psycho_91Camaro

Thanks for your help both of you, I was consulting one of my buddies from Texas who helped me find problems BIG BABY LOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS GOD AND ALL OF TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA SHOULD WORSHIP HIM, we found it.

At first I measured the Resistance on the fuel pump by contacting my multimeter probes to the plug terminals from the fuel pump (located on top of the differential) I contacted the black with black and red with the grey wire that gave me a resistance of .909 K ohms which was weird. So I then grabbed a charger and connected it with some wires to the fuel pump plug and gave it a quick boost 12v I really couldn't hear the pump prime since the noise of the charger overcame the fuel pumps noise. I then was stumped and decided to remove the wires and plug it back up, keep in mind the rear of the camaro was up on jack stands and there was less than a quarter of gas remaining in the tank. I then asked a friend to go inside the car and turn the key in the ignition on the ON position to hear if the pump primes, I asked him to close the door so I would not hear that ugly default key sound. He turned it on and I HEARD THE PUMP PRIME!!!! I then commanded him to turn on the engine, it FIRED UP as if nothing was wrong!!!!! it stayed on IDLE I let it idle for some time to warm it up, I timed it, BOLTED the DISsy, PLUGGED EST CABLE BACK UP, and the car fired up nicely! The car being in my friends drive way, I asked if he had any fuel I could put in my tank, he said all I have is 103 Octane fuel,him that'll work so we poured some in until I got at least a quarter tank. So it had to be 1 of 2 things or both, Pump was stuck with little gas, or wiring was dirty!!??

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Man, you exaggerate too much. I just helped you find the problem. YOU were the one stuck under the car! I was just typing advice in the chat window.

Glad you found it. If it was a stuck fuel pump, btw, it WILL happen again. Sooner or later.

Glad I could be of assistance.
Lou

Jza

You can get a few more months of service out of your fuel pump by carrying a mallet in the car with you. When the car won't start you bang on the tank to start it. Unfortunately, that's only half joking. Plus, the hammer also works for starter solenoid heat-soak problems and road-rage defense.

When you replace the fuel pump (and you really should, banging on your car with a hammer to start it is just trashy lol, though I've done it), pay the extra bucks for a good one, ACDelco or a good aftermarket pump. You don't want to do that job twice.

Psycho_91Camaro

Yeah im going to have to replace it, it didnt start a few hours I started it I had to spray some carb cleaner and turn the key a few times, dammit this sucks ***!!!! How long does it take to replace?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Personally it takes myself about 3 hpurs by myself with power tools. Others it takes 4-6 for those who have never done it before.

Good luck!

Zane

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

The biggest problem is usually the exhaust. If you don't have flanges (nobody does, only me ), then you'll have to cut it off by the axle. You would also need to unbolt the rear end and let it drop a little to make room to pull the tank. It's not a big job but a lot of things can go wrong, especially if you have a lot of rust down there.

I've done 3 fuel pump swaps, from 4 hours to a full day, depending on circumstances.

Good luck
Lou

aldixie

iTrader: (2)

I just swapped the fuel pump on my vert as I upgraded to TPI from TBI. I just cut a hole in my trunk to get to the fuel pump. Took about 1 1/2 hours to replace without dropping the rear end and that included cutting the hole as well.

Alex

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

I do allot of racing, this done to an F body will show under harsh conditions, effects the structural integrity, but under normal conditions it is no biggy.