Am I flooding her?

[gdsqdcr]

Okay
94 MTX, mods listed below. All maint done almost when it was suppose to.
About 6 weeks ago, the car had been sitting for about 4 hours or so, and I went to start it. Turned the key, and she cranked, but no start. I tried a couple of times and all she did was crank. I waited about 10 minutes, while I walked around her, asking her what was wrong, and tried again. She started but you could SMELL the gas coming out the pipes. Ran that way for a few minutes than she ran fine.
Now 3 nights ago. Car had been sitting for 3 days, got in, started it, no problem. Warmed her up, moved her about 150 yards, turned her off. Came back about 1/2 hour later. Same thing as 6 weeks ago.

What gives? Any thoughts, suggestions?

She will turn 99K on my way home today, and she isnt due for an oil change till 100K.

Anthony

 

[projectSHO89]

Sounds like a leaky injector.

I would perform the fuel pressure leakdown test. If it fails, I would then pull all the plugs to see if any cylinders are wet with gas after a leakdown interval. heck, I'd probably do that anyway.

I would also perform a spark test the next time it fails. If could be a flaky sensor or other ignition component. The easiest way to do this is to hook up a timing light. I use the #5 cylinder and check timing while I'm at it.

Steve

<small>[ December 26, 2002, 03:08 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

If it is flooded you should floor the gas pedal. The PCM will turn the fuel pump off and the engine will start. This happens to my '93 on occasion when it dies after a startup.

 

[gdsqdcr]

I have tried holding down the pedal when starting it, but to no avail.
I searched archives and cant find anything on this fuel pressure leak down test, what is it? Can I do it from home, or do I need to pay a shop to do it?
Injectors? Are they that hard to replace? Besides SHO SHOP and dealer, is there anywhere else to get them from?
Thanks
Anthony

 

[projectSHO89]

You will need a fuel pressure guage. $40 at AutoZone.

Connect the guage to the Schraeder valve on the fuel rail.

Pressurize the system by cycling the key several times or by grounding the FP pin on the ST plug.

Pressure should read 39 psi +/- 2 psi.

Turn key off.

Pressure should remain. Manual calls for no more than 2 psi drop in 3 minutes.

If pressure drops, causes are leaky injector/fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator (FPR), or fuel pump/check valve.

To diagnose to which one, you would have to isolate the fuel circuit one component at a time and retest.

A couple of free tests:

1) Listen for bubbling/gurgling from your fuel tank after engine stutoff. (Return line check valve)

2) Disconnect the vacuum line from the FPR and check for gas inside it. (Ruptured diaphram in FPR)

Not so cheap test: remove the intake manifold, pressurize the fuel rail, and check for gasoline leaking from any injector.

Steve