changed a fuel pump and icv

[RealtyCaffeine]

I have a 2001 GTP and had some stalling problems. I swapped out the fuel pump and idle control valve and it runs better but now it is hard to start. It has to crank longer or multiple times but once it starts we seem to run fine.

I had some help swapping the fuel pump and wonder if it is possible that the outside fuel lines on the top of the pump could have gotten swapped and cause this problem. Does anyone know a way to tell other than swapping the lines to see?? If they were swapped what would the symptoms be?

Thanks,
Jerry

[minichopper6hp]

not sure if you can even swap them, but the car wouldnt run

[RealtyCaffeine]

Thanks, I suspected that would be the case but was not sure. I guess the next thing to try is the pressure regulator unless anyone has other ideas.

Jerry

[minichopper6hp]

your fuel pressure is probably bleeding off. put a gauge on the rail and see if it bleeds off after you shut your car off. could be a leaky injector, to check, take off the fuel rail and turn on the ignition a couple times to build pressure, and see if any are leaking.

[RealtyCaffeine]

I am pretty much a noobie on most of this stuff. When you say 'rail' what do you mean?? Are there pictures on the forum I can check out?

jerry

[minichopper6hp]

hook a pressure gauge up and we will go from there.

[pontiackid]

The fuel rail is a series of metal pipes that are hooked up to all your injectors and run aroud and over your blower carrying pressurised fuel. On the metal rail along the front-side of the blower is a test port with a shader valve (same as an air tire one) you can check you pressure buy hooking a gauge up to it.

[RealtyCaffeine]

Just sharing what I have learned. I ordered the fuel pressure gauge but before it got here the car refused to start. Pulled the fuel filter and tested flow. NO GAS!! Installed new filter cause I could and pulled the fuel pump. Tube had popped off the new pump and we put it back on. Tie wraps and a steel wire ought to keep it from coming off again.

Started right up and it ran fine, restarted fine. My guess is the fuel pressure was low due to leaking connection at the fuel pump (inside tank, not outside) and that caused the hard start.

New problem today though. Drove it all day with no problems. Sitting idling while waiting for someone and it started surging and finally died. Would not restart. Allowed it to cool down (it's hot in Atlanta today) and it restarted and ran fine the rest of the day.

Is there such a thing as a vapor lock on these cars?? Doesn't seem possible with the return system that exists but thought I would ask. If have ordered a new fuel pressure regulator and will install it no matter what but wondering if that could cause the surge problem.

Also seem to be getting crap gas mileage and wonder if the new found increase in fuel pressure has confused the computer allowing too much gas in the injector. Do I need to reset the computer (pull power) or will it adjust on it's own? I did get an SES light on and the code said 'rich fuel in bank 1'. Had it reset and it has not come back. Seems I have too much fuel somehow but not sure how.