Not getting fuel (2000 Cavalier)

[minghia]

Hey guys,

Maybe someone can shed some light on a problem I have/had with my 2000 Cavalier (2.2L):

The other day the car was parked in my driveway which is slanted downwards (I park the car rear-end first). Anyway this might not matter but I'm giving as much description as possible.

I came out one day to start the car and it would not start. It just kept cranking and cranking and would just not start. I did not have time to look into it that day so I left it for the next day. The next day it still wouldn't start, only cranked and cranked. So this is what I did:

1. I checked for a spark with a screwdriver and sure enough I had a spark;
2. I listened for the fuel pump to prime, and I was able to hear it prime;
3. I checked all my fuses and relays and all seemed good;
4. I checked the Schrader valve on the fuel rail to see if I was getting fuel to the engine, and I was NOT. There was no fuel at all while in the ON position, so I knew the engine was not getting fuel from the rear of the car;
5. Someone had given me advice (a tow man) to have someone hit the gas tank as I was cranking the car. So I gave this a try and sure enough on the 5th hit, the car started!

After this point, I was able to start the car 6-7 times on the street (I haven't driven it on the road yet until I fix something for fear that it may stall on me).

My questions are: What exactly caused this starvation? The only thing I can think of is the fuel pickup sock (or fuel pickup filter or fuel strainer) or the fuel filter.

Has anyone ever experienced this problem before?
Do mechanics know how to change this sock?
I would do it myself but I think it requires me to drop the fuel tank and remove the fuel pump.

Could it be something else?

Any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[minghia]

Nobody?

[Classicrocjunkie]

All the sediments could have been sucked up by your fuel pump and have clogged your fuel filter... Or even your fuel pump could have some cloggin issues. I would try the fuel filter first.

[minghia]

I'm gonna go ahead and change the fuel filter as recommended.

I would also like to put in some fuel injector cleaner fluid or whatever its called, in the gas tank.
Can any of you recommend a good brand to buy? (preferably carried by Canadian Tire)

Thanks guys