GreenCamaro13

Ok so im working on a 1991 camaro rs v6 5 speed(it was sitting outside my house for roughly 7 years). if im right the engine is a 2.8L engine but im not sure because ive been trying to research what engine it is. these are the things ive replaced on it: Thermostat, Battery, Radiator, Spark plug & Wires, Air Filter, and A/C belt. for some reason it still doesnt work and i want to get it starting before winter. any ideas of what i should try? oh and the engine light is on but idk how to read it. i am 17 and i am new to the mechanic area but i am thinking of making it my career. also if anyone can help me identify my engine it would be most appreciated!!
P.M me if you want a pic of my engine to help me plz

YoungMoneyVII

Well according to the Camaro Tech Date which is on the top left after you enter the website your car has a 3.1 L V6

GreenCamaro13

if you want go to my profile and I have pics uploaded of my engine if that can help.

GreenCamaro13

any help anyone please???????

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

You are going to need to do a little better than what you've given us so far....

Does the Engine turn over at least?

DO you have Spark?

Do you have Fuel?

it literally sat outside your house for 7 years? wasnt started or ran all that time? if so, why did it get parked? people dont usually park good cars....

Did you drain the gas tank and put fresh gas in?

btw... Its a 3.1

THat was the only V6 Option in 91.

GreenCamaro13

Thank you. Much Gratification to you. Yes the engine does turn over.. seems like im just a step away from the car working.
Not sure if the car has spark any way to test this?
The reason it was left out for 7 years was because it had no fuel (my brother was broke as a joke) but i recently put in 5 gallons of gas. when my brother had it, it had some problems but those i replaced such as the thermostat because he ran it on water through the winter. the last time he drove the camaro it was for a little bit but like i said the only real reason was because no gas and after that he never got to cleaning it.
oh and the pic in my profile is the engine it has if you would be so kind to help me to tell me if this is a 3.1 L.. im new to this but very interisted. Thanks 1000X.

GreenCamaro13

This is the engine sorry i finnaly found out how to post the picture.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

unless the engines been swapped, its a 3.1

You can test spark a couple different ways... If you have a spare spark plug laying around, just disconnect a plug wire, connect it to the spare plug and ground the plug and crank the engine. it should spark. (shock tower is usually a decent ground)

WHen you turn the key on, you should hear a whir from the gas tank area. thats the fuel pump. No whir.. No fuel pump power. no start.

Those are the first 2 important things to check.

GreenCamaro13

Ok i Will be lookin into this tommorow a.s.a.p. Just Another random question is there a spark plug in the distributor box where the spark plug wire has both same ends? because when i was changing spark plug wired the last one was a little longer than the one i replaced and im scared that i messed up the firing order. but yea today was a nasty find.. found a nest full of 5 baby rats today and the mom got away dangit... hope to catch em all. Good Night to all.

GreenCamaro13

ok so i checked and i couldnt really hear much but now im thinking its the fuel relay but i cant find it. anyone know where it can be at? winters coming so ima rush this now.

GreenCamaro13

Any one know Where i can find the Fuel pump relay? idk what this is but im taking a shot at guessing.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

I only have an 88 Shop Manual, but I doubt they moved it.

Your arrow is pointing to the Fan relay. THe fuel pump relay should be to the left of the arrow and the one to the right is AC.

GreenCamaro13

ok i will check that right now. is there a way to see if it needs a new one or just getting one is enough?.

blue birdy 87

invest in a good haynes manual or shop manuel for your car. it helps with everything

GreenCamaro13

Yea, I have one but the major problem is the engine in the haynes book i have is different from mine. the one shown in haynes is a carbeurated engine. but i want a new shop book but there like 90 no? thank you for your help anyways.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Haynes manuals leave alot to be desired

You cant ID a relay be position. All bodies and slots are the same and after 20 years, they arent likely to be in the same spot

Better way to ID is the fuel relay has 5 wires, where the other two only have four

Most likely your pump is dead from sitting so long and theres a good chance your tank/lines are highly rusted. When gasoline deteriorates it becomes HIGHLY corrosive, esp when the tank isnt full

Have someone turn the key on when you have your ear close to the relays. You should hear a click if its good. Sometimes a bad pump will seize and pop the fuse which is located near the battery in a little holder

GreenCamaro13

I will check on this ASAP. Tommorow i will get back to you guys because it is now 9:34 and suns long gone ha. thank you, Oh BTW how hard would it be if i did by chance (hopefully not) have to change the fuel pump and wires??

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Pump is about a 5 hour job. You dont have to replace the wiring for the pump

GreenCamaro13

ok thank goodness what else would i have to change with the fuel pump. and how to relief the fuel pressure.

GreenCamaro13

Oh also Just to add to this What kind of Fuel Pump would you guys reccomend? i only buy off of Amazon so if you can find a good one and ill buy it might as well change it since its been sitting so long, dont you guys agree? to save hastle time.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Get one from a local parts store with a good warranty. Amazon is super cheap, but often has the knock-off walbros which die in no time. Good luck trying to cash a warranty with them

GreenCamaro13

Alright, ok so i ordered a fuel pump relay and going to order a fuel pump the only problem is that all my tires are popped. anyone know a good way to keep it up? i got 2 car lifters, one is to a suburban and the other is to a mercury sable. what would be the quickest way to get gas out of the fuel tank i have about 6 gallons or more in it.
Thanks to this post i somewhat know what to do to remove the fuel tank, but i would like any tips or anything that would be able to help me in this process, tools i might want to keep handy etc.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Get a small inline pump from a lawnmower or something and hook it to the return line in front of the tank. Take the cap off to let air in and pump as much as you can out. You wont get it all, but it should be low enough you can maneuver the tank out

GreenCamaro13

Ok so it just cranked after i changed the fuel pump relay, so im going to change the fuel pump and see what happens. I got this of another forum but i hope it will help :

It's Alive!!

Here's what all I did to get the beast running after it's 9 year slumber:

1. Replaced stock rotor with MSD rotor[]
2. Replaced stock cap with MSD cap[]
3. Replaced stock coil with MSD Blaster coil[]
4. Replaced spark plugs[X]
5. Replaced Stock fuel pump with OEM pump[]
6. Replaced Fuel Filter with Fram fuel filter[]
7. Replaced Oil[X]
8. Replaced Oil Filter[X]
9. Replaced upper Radiator hose[X]
10. Replaced battery [X]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
so my question is where are the 1st three located?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Distributor and coil nearby

Dont bother with MSD whatever on a V6, you wont notice the difference. For the first fire, I wouldnt bother doing anything more than inspection on the dist

If you pull the cap off and its a rust ball, sure replace it, but if it looks serviceable, run it until the next tune up

I also wouldnt crack open the cooling system unless you have a reason to. Open the radiator cap and peep inside. Green, all is good. Mud-pie, time for a flush

GreenCamaro13

alright ill check it here in about a hour. ok here is a major concern that i just remembered. ok i bought this spectra radiator to replace the one i had but unfortunatly someone threw my old one away so i didnt get to compare and see any differences but the radiatior i have now has some holes that are covered just by plasatic and idk if its the wrong radiator or something like that but when i put radiator fluid into the resevoir it doesnt want to go through idk whats wrong with it?? i can get pics of the holes im talking about but i hope im not missing anything that would be 100 dollars down the drain and another 100 to buy a new one :/,
Ok but back to what u replied pocket (T.Y by the way) how do i take off the cap without having to remove all the spark plug boots from it? thank you!

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Use a sharpie to label them and you wont have any trouble remembering which goes where

GreenCamaro13

Ok so i Made a big leap yesterday. I bought starting fluid and sprayed it into the throttle body and it turned on for about 2 seconds. so im thinking it might be the fuel filter. Any comments or sugestions? also if someone can please help with this: I was told the camaro had problems with leaking from gasket in engine so how do i get into the engine?? so i can replace the gaskets and have it non leaking?? thanks so far for all help!! especially Impaqt and Pockets

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Did you listen for the fuel pump to turn on? Have someone turn on the key to run, but not trying to start it, and put your head under the gas tank and listen for the fuel pump to hum. I bet you wont hear any noise at all, and the pump is siezed up. I have dealt with plenty of cars that sat, and I always replace the fuel pump/sock/filter and marvel mystery oil in the gas. I will gaurantee you that it isnt starting up because the fuel pump siezed up from sitting.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like you got a radiator from an automatic. The capped off plugs are probably for transmission cooler lines. Not that big of a deal. Just leave the plastic plugs in there (Or better yet, get some metal plugs to cap em off good.

After replacing the fuel pump relay, do you now hear the whir of the fuel pump when you turn the key on?

You canalso jump the fuel pump by applying 12v to "Terminal "G" of your ALDL connector under your steering wheel.


You can get 12v from the fuse box or just get a long piece of wire and clip it to the Positive batter terminal. Careful not to ground it!

GreenCamaro13

Ok i will try the hotwiring today. my brother listened to it but didnt hear but it was also windy so im not sure but it seems to click on from the relay part of it. what will should be the response when i wire the Terminal g? Fuel filter is on its way. So does anyone know what to do with a mild broken head gasket? it still runs but it leaks oil so i would like to get that changed. Thank You

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Windy shouldnt matter. You can easily hear the fuel pump inside the car.

Only way to fix the head gasket is to replace it.

GreenCamaro13

how do i get into it though any idea? main question is where is it located? under throttle body? or idk im not much into the gaskets so i dont know much and ok i thought you had to turn it on to hear fuel pump.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Head gasket.... Between the Head and engine block....

Its a significant project. Pretty much gotta take the entire top of the motor off. Its a solid weekend project in most cases.

GreenCamaro13

ok. well it worth it right? these cars are amazing. how much would they charge me at a mechanic shop any estiamtes?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

More than it'd cost to get another engine that isnt blown

Why do you suspect a headgasket all of the sudden?

GreenCamaro13

I'm not sure well it was a gues. My mom told me that the car would leak I'll oit the engine so iguessed a bad gasket but I could be very well wrong. Ok so todays results weren't so exciting. I changed the fuel filter and no start but the bad part is that the fuel filter was baaaad. I blew through the new 1 with ease and the old one was all clogged up. Good ridance. My question iis how do I use a 12v to the jumpstarter to fuelpump. I tried by using a metal hanger and connecting it to the inside where the fuse is sposed to go but no luck. Any ideas? I used the diagram as posted by impaqt. Thank you all.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Maybe you mean Valve cover gasket? That is significantly easier. Like a 1hour(tops) job usually...

A coat hanger? Really? Can you have someone take a video of you trying to get a coathanger to transfer 12v from the fuse box to the fuel pump ALDL connector? I would pay to see that....

On a serious not.. pick up some 12 or 14 ga wire... and some spade connectors.. Radio shack will have everything you need plus a lot extra for under $10 most likely.

In the fuse box, there are some single terminals labled "ACC" and "BAT" you can get 12v from either of those with the key on.

GreenCamaro13

Haha thinking of watching myself use a hanger makes me laugh wow I'm weird haha. But ok so ill check it out. So I feel I'm close to reviving the car just need fuel pump changed because I wouldn't know what else could be wrong unless you have any suggestions. Oh I just gotta tell u this, a little off topic but so weird. My dads car has kept dying off him about 3 miles into driving. So we were hcecking engine and it popped in my head from noise it was making.. somethings wrong with plugs or wires for spark and as I touched it it started to statt so I removed a spark plug and I called autozone and they said gapp was sposd to be 45 and I measured it and it was at 95... woooow haha. This is on a ford escort though.

GreenCamaro13

Ok so how would i change a valve cover gasket or where can i find? so while i wait for gas pump i will do this.

GreenCamaro13

k so I bought the wire and now the question is do I use both positive and - or just one or the other plz help thatnk you

rgarcia63

If you look back at reply #30 by Impaqt, terminal "G" just needs 12 vdc, or if easier to understand, connect a wire from the battery (+) positive post to terminal "G", or as was said get 12v from the fuse box.
Because the Mass Air Flow Meter, Fuel pump switch, Fuel pump relay, and the ECM are powered by the same 30 amp fuse (usually by the battery) I would check it first.
The fuel pump relay is controlled by the ECM. Should the ECM fail to activate the relay the pump switch will supply power to the pump once the oil pressure is around 6psi, the symptom for that would be an extended crank time, but the engine would still start.
That's not what's happening by your description so put that on the back burner for now.

If the fuse is good testing the pump would be the next thing to do.
Since you already know where the fuel pump relay is, I would suggest removing the relay and hard wire the fuel pump from there.
Look at the relay connector, of the 5 wires there should be an orange wire (terminal "E",) and a tan wire with a white stripe (terminal "A".) Jumper these to together using a jumper wire with male spade connectors. The moment you make the connection you should hear the pump.
If you don't hear it then the pump is bad, that's with the assumption that all wiring & connections are good.

rgarcia63

I missed the part where you said you heard the relay clicking so fuse is good, and unless wiring is bad, replacing the pump is your next step. Many have done this including myself so a search will give you plenty of instructions, tips, and tricks.

GreenCamaro13

Ok. Well when I turn the key into the mode where its not all the way on I hear clicking next to the fuel pump relay. I will try to look for this 30 watt fuse as stated above tommorow but before that I will hotwire the fuel tester. I thinlk what I will do is record what happens on some parts and it can also be helpfull for other as I can write how it was fixed. Thank you.

GreenCamaro13

Fuel pump still hasnt arrived but im wondering how do i remove it? i got some help but still sorta lost

gmstrong

i say just pull the motor and drop a nice carbed 350 in it.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Its inside the Gas tank.

You basically need to disconnect the rear end from the vehicle and jack the car up enough to drop the tank out.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Not the whole axle, just unbolt the lower shock mounts and let it swing down as far as it can. Make sure the brake line and E-brake cables arent stressed

GreenCamaro13

alright yesterday i started the process of getting it down and it is half way only problem is one of the 5 metal tubes that come from gas pump doesnt want to disconnect and worst of it is that yesterday it bent so what shall i do now? i put wd40 around it and kept trying but i will leave it for now until my dad has time. gas tank isnt really heavy i could lower it and lift it with ease. now this is the question: how do i move the muffler because it is in the way. i want this as easy as possible. and how do i do this trick that ive read in other posts that i make a access pannel or something like that? any ideas? thanks.

m16a2r

dont know if anyone point it out yet but from the picture it looks like your gas pedal is disconnected from the throttle body