Help, Crank but no start

[91Caprice9c1]

The fuel pump is inside the tank.

-MechanicMatt

[dennybam]

The fuel pump is in the tank. you can get to the wires under the back seat on passanger side. You can hear if the Fuel pump is running or not for the first 5 secounds after turning the ignition to the on position. To test pressure; purchace a gage from Autozone for $37.00 but it will not fit your car because the 92 metro, has no shrader valve to plug it into near the throttlebody. There are 2 black rubber gas lines atached from the fire wall to the throttlebody. one is thicker then the outher. The thick one is the input from the fuel pump, the thin one is the pressure regulators return line back to the gas tank . Between the 2 on the throttle body is your pressure regulator next to the injector,the regulator is a diphram, controled by the engines vacum;the harder you push on the gas the less vacum that you have, in turn the regulator produces more gas pressure. The fule pressure required is between 23#PSI and 31# PSI. To test the pressure with your new gage, you must adapt it to fit your car. You will need to buy 1.5ft of 3/8" gasline and a tee that will screw in to your new gage. First remove the feed line to the throttle body. Reinstall the new 3/8" gasline inplace of it; cut it in half and install the tee between the 2 half's; attach the gage and clamp hoses. Turn the key on it should read between 23 and 31 lbs. It should hold that pressure level for a while on its own. If it it is low or wont hold, it has eather a weak pump, or a bad pressure regulator. to test the pump; clamp the return line with a pare of vicegrips. then turn on the ignition the gage will go up to 60 lbs or more if the pump is good; and this would mean that the regulator is bad.
Also:To test for a cloged gas filter remove the gage put the gasline in to a milk jug and turn the key on this will show the flow rate; if it is flowing then it is not cloged. I hope this helps you!

[cubano112266]

dennybam,

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I feel better now reading your write-up. I am not to brave when it comes to Fuel related issues. I will get all the needed test items this weekend and helpfully determine what is really happening with my 92 metro.

regards

cubano 112266

[cubano112266]

Well, the metro is running again. I did run a few checks again and determined that there is spark, the fuel pump is running. I did change the T-belt and water pump. I figured that at 82 K it needed to be done.

While I had the air cleaner cover off I decided to check that the injector was working. It all checked out so far but still no start.

I knew this was a long shot, but I decided to pull off the runner hose that runs from the top of the valve cover to the pcv valve and the bottom of the air cleaner. I found in the rubber tubing a slimy brown build up. I cleaned out really well and reassembled it. To my surprise the engine started on the second try. I kept it running for a while and it all seemed well.

Can anyone tell me what the heck was stuck in the rubber hose?

Thanks again for all the help.

[91Caprice9c1]

The slimey brown build up is just oil deposition. I refuse to believe that the build-up in the pcv hose prevented the car from starting. There must be a coincidence happening here. -??-

-MechanicMatt

[cubano112266]

91Caprice9c1

I agree that it is odd that it would prevent the car from starting, but I did nothing to fule pump and when I changed the T-Belt it was showing it's age but still in one peice.

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[91Caprice9c1]

Well in any case, all's well that ends well lol. Glad your car is up and running. I bet it's nice being able to stick it to the fuel mongers again.

-MechanicMatt

[cubano112266]

Caprice

You have that right. I am very happy to have the miser running again. Once again, thanks for the guidance.

Do you have any advice to prevent the build up of oil sludge again?

[91Caprice9c1]

Change your oil and filter every 3-4k miles, install a new PCV valve every 2nd or 3rd oil change (overkill? yes, but do it anyway) and when you change the PCV valve, wipe out the tube.

Keep a general practice of maintaining the car and it will treat you well.

-MechanicMatt

[cubano112266]

thanks,

the car is due for an oil change soon. I have been using 5w-30 mobil one. i will also start changing out the PCV more frequently. sounds like a good move.