[GermanBrougham]

Hi guys, I am trying to troubleshoot my fuel delivery problems. Recently had my throttle body and injectors rebuilt and everything seemed allright (car started and continued running for about 5 minutes). I was very happy and thought I solved the problem, but when I tried to start again, the car died right up or ran only if I pumped the gas pedal.

I can see the injectors spraying the fuel and they are clicking fine. If someone turns the key and I help the injectors with a bit more gasoline spraying from the bottle or when I use starting fluid, then the car keeps on running until I stop spraying.

What can cause this? Is the fuel pump too weak? I still don’t have fuel pressure gauge, so I can’t verify the right pressure. Can the old fuel be the culprit? The car was not running for more than a year and there may also be some dirt deposits inside the fuel tank. The fuel level is now just above the reserve (cca 1/4 full) and I don’t know if adding a fresh fuel would help or not and then only make the tank removal harder... I do even have a spare fuel pump and strainer, so I can try to drop the tank and change the pump, but first I was hoping to get some advice. It is not very easy job to drop the tank inside the garage and I don’t want to do unnecessary job.

Besides the fuel pump, what can cause this? Some electrical connections, sensors? Or is the pump only thing to blame?

 

[soy_chingon13]

Once you get a fuel pressure gauge you'll know which direction to go...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[DB2Guy]

The first thing I would do is change the fuel filter.

 

[GermanBrougham]

The fuel filter was changed too, it was a first thing I actually did. As I mentioned above, I do not own fuel pressure gauge. Before I go and buy one or before I drop the tank to change the fuel pump I would like to hear something about other possible failures.

I can actually see nice stream of fuel spraying from the injectors. Maybe it should be spraying more fuel and I may have really low pressure from the pump, but it is hard to say just from what I see with naked eye. I guess I will really have to buy a pressure gauge, won’t I?

 

[carnut]

Try a car parts store. Could possibly rent one?

 

[DB2Guy]

The Kent Moore J-25400 is used to analyze the fuel injection system. I have no clue how to use it. I asked in this forum also. I see them listed on eBay but I think maybe you need the adapter kit for it to make the connections. Most listed on eBay don't have the adapter kit. Occasionally I see one listed with the adapter.

Possibly there is a more modern way to check the system.

I presume you also changed the screens on the injectors too. I can't remember if there is another filter inside the throttle body. I bought a rebuild kit a year or so ago and I can't remember if it had a filter.

 

[DB2Guy]

I checked my old eBay purchases. I didn't see a filter on the TB rebuild kit photo. The injector kit contains a side and bottom filter. Those should be self cleaning but they could be clogged.

 

[80Brougham368]

Another 1983 4.1 Brougham (Coupe) starts and dies, keeps on running with when sprayin

I have the same problem with an '83 Brougham 2-door, HT4100. Picked it up two weeks ago from the seller, it had been sitting for a while. Started up to limp to the mechanic for an inspection sticker and get running essentials checked. Died on the mechanic after start. They used ether to clear out the TBI and said it possibly has bad gas that is gumming up the TBI. Got it back, put octane boost and FI cleaner in the tank like they said to do. Mashing the pedal will call a stumble/loss of power/stall. Ran it out a bit, slow and steady around town 30 mph, besides a huge idle surge at a traffic light (to where I have to stand on the brake to keep the car still) no issues. I park it for a half hour and go to start again...twelve-fifteen cranks and had to practically floor the car to start it again. It's the rare 2-door (black with claret biscuit leather gut) with the thin cabriolet-surround quarter window so I would like to get it running and fix it up (trim/cosmetics/paint). Gonna try again tomorrow and see if it still has starting problems, if so I will take to a Meineke, describe the driveability issues and see if they will drop the tank, empty it, put a new in tank fuel filter (MPG sentinel shows L range and the tank gauge is past F) and check the TBI.
Any suggestions?

 

[Too Fast]

Suggestions um yes. All the above problems are likely a bad fuel pump. I have fixed exactly 1 fuel supply issue in 35 years as an ASE Master auto mechanic from a clogged fuel filter, and it was an external filter not the tank filter. The other 97% are failed pumps, and a few scattered electrical issues. Just sayin.

 

[80Brougham368]

Too Fast, thanks for confirming my #1 suspicion. Getting rid of the old fuel pump asap.

 

[Jfred281]

I’m having the same problems with an 84 Eldorado. But I’ve already changed the fuel pump and fuel filter. The car will only start with my foot on the gas but it’s still very little power. It will stay on for about a minute or so with my foot still all the way down on the pedal but still dies.

 

[drmenard]

Have you checked the fuel pressure after the new pump? There is a pressure regulator that could be bad. Could have a bad injector or bad ECM.