2003 Sonoma won’t start 4.3L 6 cyl 278000 miles

[saints0513]

Died on my driving the other day 2 miles from home, then would not start. Got it home, battery tested bad, replaced, alternator tested good. Fuel pressure would go up when turned on, then immediately drop to 0. Replaced the fuel pressure regulator, still won’t start, pressure drops to 0 still. Threw a camshaft position error, replaced that, still no start. I hear the fuel pump, but plan on raising the bed to take a look at it, but what else could I be missing. New plugs and wires, plugs were fouled, and it sounds like it just wants to start, but can’t get there. Any guidance and advice would be appreciated.

[maxwedge]

What is the key on and cranking fuel pressure?

[saints0513]

just turning the ignition to the on position, it will show 60 psi for a second or 2, then back to zero.

[brcidd]

Serious fuel leak internal to either fuel pump or most likely spider assembly if yours has one...60 psi should remain indefinitely after pressurized- you may be extremely flooded due to fuel leak in intake manifold---this can also lead to middle cylinders filling with fuel and hydrolocking- unable to crank engine over with starter...fuel can seep into cylinders around worn rings..

you may be able to hear it spraying in tank if it is there- I had one once, sounded like someone was taking a shower in tank- had a bad fuel hose- cracked...put your ear to filler neck and listen as someone turns key on for 2 seconds....after FP stops is there shower sound?

[saints0513]

When I changed out the fuel pressure regulator and opened the maifold, there was a little gas in there from under the regulator, but it wasn’t a lot at all, and I had tried to crank it several times before that, I’ll listen to hear, but I don’t think it is. I’m going to raise the bed today and check the pump, so if something is shorted or the like in that. I also have the bed raised so I have access to the pump right now also.

[saints0513]

Ok, so I did a test on the spider injectors with the pressure gauge hooked up, looking for any leaks from the injectors, I hear the relay click, hear the fuel spray for a couple seconds at 60PSI, then the relay clicks again and the pressure drops to zero. We clicked it on off several times to see a leak, and I never saw anything, now I'm kind of looking at the pump again.

[saints0513]

changed the spider today, still no start, fuel pressure drops to 0 after 2 seconds still. New distributor, rotor, ignition coil, new plugs, wires, didn't hear anything spraying back into tank after cranking (used a stethescope to hear), I am at a loss, as well as feeling very defeated by this situation.

[brcidd]

If your fuel tank is above half full, then your spraying leak may be "under water" or under the full level, where you would not hear it.....how much is in the tank?

[saints0513]

Over a quarter tank, and it’s not level, you may have something there.

[saints0513]

Everything kept checking out, changed the coil but not the module, missed that test, it came back bad. Replaced it, double checked everything, tried to start, wouldn't, but saw this, caught it on video, open for opinions as to what it could be. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TYr...ew?usp=sharing

[saints0513]

I went back and have been double checking everything, made a couple of adjustments to get the timing right, and after I got the timing line on the harmonic balance right and the rotor pointed to cylinder 1, it started. Ran rough for 10-15 seconds, then died. It will continue to start and die, and now I have a code P00016 Crankshaft Position-Camshaft Position correlation. The camshaft position sensor is new (as is the dist cap and rotor), but I did have a puff of what appeared to be smoke last week from that area when cranking. I also pulled the distributor out to check the teeth, I seem to be on my marks that I made when I pulled it, but could being 1 tooth off when it went back in cause this code?

[Blue Bowtie]

The cam (CMP) /crank (CKP) sensor phasing needs to be set so the CKP is on before the CMP is triggered. Some of these distributors have a small bit of adjustment at the hold down bolt to allow this. If not, the dizzy could be a tooth off, or the gear and/or distributor could be worn.

The video link doesn't work for me. Google Drive doesn't work for everyone, and once the FTC is done with Google, it won't be much more than a search engine again, so loading up all your content there may be an exercise in futility, just like Photobucket went "dark" for hosting images.

[saints0513]

https://youtu.be/bQFk8InoXe8
Here is the puff of something coming out.

https://youtu.be/NItNwaQWZi0
Here is the condition of the distributor.

[Blue Bowtie]

That "puff of something" appears to be a mild backfire. That can be from excessive fuel and/or ignition timing issues - Back to the CKP/CMP phasing.

The distributor drive gear looks pretty good, so unless there is noticeable play in the shaft or upper plate, reinstall the distributor so that the the CKP is active and the CMP is just about to turn on. It can be a little difficult to start the cam gear in the right place to accommodate the twist as the distributor drops, but patience will be rewarded.

[saints0513]

I did pull it and got it to go in, crank and run. It threw a P0301 cylinder 1 misfire, then when I cranked it again, it game me the P0016 again. Went and put it back to TDC again, cranked up and threw the cylinder 1 again. When it was running, I heard a hissing our of the PCV valve, so I’m going to pick one up after work and see if that does anything. I appreciate everyone who read and offered help, I’ve gone from no start, to start and stop, to running. Narrowing it down, but thank you again.