No start problem

[racemybuick]

Hey all...I am typing this for a friend of mine. He is my substitute teacher when for my shop, and he has a 1985 grand national...He bought it brand new in december of 85, and has never changed anything but the battery, oil and tires, and regular tune-ups as well. He never missed any maintenance. Long and short of it is, this car is a weekend cruiser...He toys with it around mustangs and that is about it...this weekend however, the car turned over, fired, then shut off.

He tried again, same thing happened. he got out, shot the ol' ether in there and the car ran, until all the ether was burnt that he shot in....so he did it a few more times...the car runs, but sputters on the ether, and does not stay running....

He is getting a FP guage tomorrow to check the pressure, but you can definately hear the pump coming on, and the car still starts, sputters, then shuts off quickly....

What should the pressure be at start-up? At cranking? then while running (totally stock)

He has a header leak (same spot as every other person), and he has platinum plugs in the car. I told him to change the plugs, but he says he always ran these, and they are only a couple months old (he likes the plugs for some reason)....So...I told him to at least pull the plugs and check to see if any are wet, or fouled....I also told him to check the coil pack wires and such, to make sure nothing is disconnected....

I think it sounds like the cam sensor, but that is a whole nuther thread to start later...Any other idea's it may be?

no scan tools to use, and no engine codes are popping up....so....? What's next?

John

 

[finishline]

Fuel Pressure

To answer your question, the fuel pressure should be key on engine off 35-43 pounds give or take a few. With the car running at idle 25-35 psi.

Check to make sure your crank sensor is properly mounted, and not covered in oil.

Let us know.

 

[Jerryl]

........... and has never changed anything but the battery, oil and tires, and regular tune-ups as well. He never missed any maintenance.

What should the pressure be at start-up? At cranking? then while running (totally stock)

I think it sounds like the cam sensor, but that is a whole nuther thread to start later...Any other idea's it may be?

If he has NOT done anything to the car, it must be something simple right?
Try unplugging the cam sensor to fire in batch mode if you suspect that to be the issue. Look for any unplugged or damaged wire.

If you disconnect the vac hose to the FPR and plug it, it will run rich but if you can run it for a few seconds, you can easily tell if the FP is stable.
Look for around a stable 37 stock with the hose off.

Did you try the "no start" test in the sticky?
Is the battery good, fresh?
Enough gas in the tank?
Read the plugs. They will give a good indication where to start!

 

[racemybuick]

checkin the module and the plugs...any other ideas? I have no idea what else this guy needs, but he is going out to buy poston headers, up-pipe, and I am trying to talk him into looking into the mease performace 3" dp....so....I just need to get his car running right now and we will work from there!

John

 

[Jerryl]

.......... I am trying to talk him into looking into the mease performace 3" dp....so....I just need to get his car running right now ......

Guess the Mease DP is out of the question with the "right now" .... :tongue:

 

[Jerryl]

Are the plugs wet or dry?

 

[racemybuick]

I am waiting to find out from him about the plugs...If they are wet, then I know it may be the plugs or a coil pack...I have a few spare coils locked up, so I can spare one of those....He is running platinum plugs...I was always told not to run those, but he says whenever they came out, he's been running them, and nothing else...So....I told him to pull a couple and let see...I am just waiting on him!

John