Fuel issue...possible fuel pump????HELP

[TAWinner23]

UPDATE:::New pump, new egr, new regulator, new filter and it is not fixed...see 3rd page...

First off I have a 1998 GT, so I know that I don't have a resistor that the GTP's have.

I was driving home on Friday...car sputtered, chugged, coughed and died. It would not restart, acted like it was trying run for a couple of seconds then nothing. I had it towed home, this morning...3 days later, get in turn key, runs great....what gives. I am not going to drive it, until I can figure out what happened.

I changed the engine 3 months ago, it has fuel, coils are new, plugs are new, wires are new...I've checked the obvious, but I am confused...Does the fuel pump just decide to go out, then work later? and if I do have to change it, how hard is it to drop the tank? Could it be a sensor?

The service engine light has been on (EGR code)...I was going to buy a block off plate...but that wouldn't be it, would it?

Please help...I'm tired of the Gremlins that keep striking my GT...

[Toasty]

shouldnt be the egr.

when you turn the key to 'run' i assume you hear the fuel pump prime? how old is the fuel filter?

also, you may want to pull the vaccum line from the fuel pressure regulator and smell the vac line for fuel. if you smell/feel gas in the vac line, then your regulator is leaking, not holding the fuel pressure where it should.

[archemedes]

also when a module goes bad it usually does it when hot, when it cools down it runs fine. Block off plate for the egr will just trigger a code (insufficient flow)

[TAWinner23]

The fuel filter is a couple of years old...and I am changing that tomorrow...but since it runs now, I have no clue if that was or is the problem. When I turn the key to run, I do hear the fuel pump prime. Would a TPS, MAF or MAP sensor cause any of this...because I am not against changing all of them.

Also, I don't feel like getting stranded again...Thanks for the help and any other suggestions would be great...Thanks guys.

[SilverMist01]

what about bad gas or water in the tank???

[TAWinner23]

For $3.59 a gallon I better be getting good gas...but really I hope that isn't it.

[SilverMist01]

yeah i hope not either but i know some places up here in NY got nailed for doing that. Is it getting real cold down there at night?

[TAWinner23]

Well I changed the fuel pump relay. No changes the car will start and will idle fine. If I pump the gas it rev's up and then will choke out. If I let it run in about 5 minutes it will die. ! Now I didn't get a chance to change the fuel filter yet, but I definently am a bit frustrated. If its the fuel pump, does anyone have a write up or anything on changing this.

Oh and the only codes were the EGR (insuffiencent flow)

[archemedes]

that means a blockage in the system (same code if you delete the egr) relays are good or bad, so that was never your problem, filter is quite possible, and should be done before anything else

[SyntheticShield]

Well I would certainly look into the EGR since that was the code that showed up. But keep in mind, codes that pop up can be symptomatic of something else wrong, it doesnt necessarily mean the EGR itself is bad.

That all said, I personally know of only one other component that would cause the symptoms you describe. Particularly the shut down after 5 minutes of run time and not wanting to restart immediately after. That would be the CPS or the crankshaft position sensor.

What I would do, is go out, start up the car and just let it idle until it dies. Well first go to the parts store and get yourself a spark plug testing tool. Its a tool that looks kinda like a spark plug that you can plug the plug wire on and then connect the other end to ground.

Then idle the car until it dies. When it does, pull the #1 plug wire from the plug and then connect that spark plug tester and connect it to ground. Have someone try and start the car for you and as it turns over, look to see if you are getting spark. If you are not, its nearly a given its the CPS.

[TAWinner23]

Well I changed the fuel filter and the relay, no help at all. The car does not want to start at all. I can barely get it running and that is by pumping the gas. It just shakes and chokes (it chokes me too) It smells real strong, no puffy smoke, just real rich (like gas fumes), but it no longer will sit and idle. I pulled the plugs...they are black and dry, but kind of have a crusty buildup on them. Now these plugs only have about 2,500 miles on them (AC Delco Iridium plugs). These were put in with the engine in Nov/Dec.

I am planning on picking up a EGR Valve and a fuel pump. I actually am tired of the drama with this car. I've had it for 10 years but damn. I put a new engine in it and now one thing after another.

Is there any big secrets in dropping the fuel tank...I know it has 2 straps.

[SyntheticShield]

Unless yours is different, you shouldnt have to drop the tank to get to the fuel pump. There should be access through the trunk actually. You can drop the pass through access door in the rear seat, lift up the carpet there and you should see a panel that if you take it off will give you access to the fuel pump.

[Toasty]

also, you may want to pull the vaccum line from the fuel pressure regulator and smell the vac line for fuel. if you smell/feel gas in the vac line, then your regulator is leaking, not holding the fuel pressure where it should.

see above.... ?

[TAWinner23]

Thanks for all the help...

First off let me say this.

The CPS was changed about 2 years ago and this appears to be different, when that went out it just died, traction control light came on everything.

I pulled the hose off the regulator and I don't smell or see any fuel, but I think I'm going to change that too.

And I didn't know that there was a pass-thru...I'll check that tomorrow.

Thanks for the help and I'll update when I do something.

Oh...and as far as the black crusty plugs and the strong fumes...Is that normal when the fuel pump dies?

[archemedes]

that sounds like too much fuel

[vermsta]

Here's some info on a bad fuel pump. I bought my 97 gp knowing it had a bad fuel pump. On this model accessing the fuel pump can be done through the trunk. there is a cover under the truck liner that gives you access to the fuel pump. I removed the fuel sending unit and put 12 volts to the fuel pump nothing, so I took the fuel pump out slammed it agaisnt the wall, and it worked, so yes a fuel pump can decide to not work whenever it dame well pleases. A fuel pump requires lubricant in order to work properly which means fuel provides the lubricant, so if you run it out of gas it is like running your motor without oil. Also it will suck up all that gunk that sits on the bottom of your gas tank. But it sounds as if you have a fuel volume problem, which means your pump isn't providing enough fuel, or you have a clogged fuel filter. Checking fuel pressure is real easy since you have a shrader valve on the fuel rail, but you may also want to see how much fuel is being distributed if you have proper fuel pressure. If you were to hook up a hose directly to the shrader valve it should pump a steady stream I think it's like one liter per minute or something like that basically if it's spitting and not giving you a constant stream you got a fuel pump issue.

[TAWinner23]

Well...I have changed the fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel pump relay.

and...NO FIX!

I changed the plugs too, they smell like fuel and are dry and black like I said before.

When I changed the pump (which was a ***** to put on, I had a real hard time getting it to push in far enough to put the ring on). The car started and appeared to run ok, other than the exhaust was really strong. I turned the car off and went to turn it back on and it choked out like before (this is when I changed the plugs).

I'm picking up the EGR Valve tomorrow and I think I will pick up a fuel pressure regulator too...But my question is this...I thought I wasn't getting enough fuel...now it appears I'm getting too much...WHAT GIVES?

[archemedes]

just a wild guess, but could it be the computer is toast?

[TAWinner23]

if it is...than zzp owes me...I bought it from them in Nov....and sent them pcm core...I hope not

[UR LOSN]

if at all, try borrowing someone elses fuel rails.... regulator might not be working quite right...like Toasty had said.

the PCM could be a possibility.

if you can....scan and see if the pcm is registering the O2 sensors...

I had this problem in my camaro...wires melted together from the header...car ran RICH..to the point where I fouled out new plugs within 15miles.

I will be pondering this tonight....