Van Won't Start

[WayneMann]

Hi Guys,

I have a 98 Express with the Vortech 350. I just put a fuel pump from Car Quest in this thing about three months ago because the pump failed. Well the wife pulled out of the drive way the other day and the engine died. I can hear the fuel pump run when I turn on the ignition, but it won't start. So I removed the air cleaner assembly and gave it a shot of carb cleaner once the wife had it turning over and she fired right up. So I went and bought a fuel pressure test kit today and hooked it up to the fuel rail connection. When I turn the ignition switch on, the fuel pump comes on and the fuel pressure jumps right to 20 psi. My question is: is this definetely a fuel pump or is there any chance that the fuel pump regulator or something else could be causing this issue. I also tried spinning the engine over to see if the fuel pressure changed, but it stayed right at 20 psi.

Not that it has any relevance, but I bought this van from a company that my mother worked for. She traveled around the country in this van attending all of the Nextel Cup races selling racing souviners. The van has 358,000 miles on the origional engine, transmission and rear end. I believe that everything else has been replaced at least once. It is in great condition and as long as you change the oil every 3000 miles as she has done since it was new, it doesn't use a drop of oil. She had just put an $800 set of Michelin tires on when the company lost their contract and decided to sell the van. I paid $1500 for the van. I felt real guilty for about 10 minutes.

Anyway thanks for the help in advance

[MT-2500]

Welcome to AF.

It could be fuel pump or regulator or a bad leak someplace.
Block off or pinch off the return line at rubber part between engine and frame and check pressure or chech the direct fuel pressure at line going into fuel filter.

Also make sure the fuel pump is getting full volatage and ground.
The plug in on wiring at crossmember is a weak spot on the wiring.
Good Luck
MT

[WayneMann]

Thanks for the reply MT. I pinched off the return line going back to the tank and rechecked the pressure, which actually dropped slightly. Yesterday I was getting right at 20 psi and with the line pinched off today I got 18 psi. By doing this I assume that you just wanted to take the pressure regulator out of the equasion...which I assume is back near the fuel tank somewhere?

There are no gas leaks anywhere so is it safe for me to assume at this point that the somewhat new fuel pump is the culprit?

Once again thanks for the help

[MT-2500]

Yes that helps check the fuel regulator.
With return pinched off you should see full pressure on gauge 85-90 lbs of pressure.
But the fuel regulator is is in under the upper intake.
The true test on a fuel pump is a direct hook up on the fuel line going into the fuel filter.
But only test it for just long enough to get the full pressure there.
Running a pump at full pressure very long will burn up a fuel pump
You should have 85-95 lbs full pump pressure.
Also make sure the pump is getting full voltage and ground.
And check the fuel filter good.
MT

[WayneMann]

Hi guys,

I thought I would give an update. I replaced the fuel pump and when I checked the fuel pressure at the fuel rail it went right up to 62 psi. Thanks MT for you help.

[MT-2500]

You are welcome.
And Thanks for posting back how it went.
Glad you got it fixed.
Good luck
MT