Notices
928 Forum 1978-1995
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: 928 Specialists

New fuel pump is in - no fuel at the fuel rail. UPDATE - tank is frozen

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-10-2005, 02:19 PM
  #1  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default New fuel pump is in - no fuel at the fuel rail. UPDATE - tank is frozen

Just installed a used S4 pump into my 81, turn on the battery it spins up just fine. I check the fuel rail by taking off that nut with the ball bearing, 100% dry (did this after turning the pump off).

I pull the feed line to the fuel pump, also dry. Turned the battery on, the pump is spinning the correct direction, I feel suction.

My "helper" turned on the battery as I watched the fuel rail with the above nut removed. No fuel.

Is there air in the system? If so, how do you purge it?

EDIT - Tim Murphy and Lag saw this post, gave me a call. After blowing on the fuel line from the tank to see if there was some sort of blockage - found ice in the line. Damn thing is frozen.

Will dumping in isopropyl alcohol melt the frozen gas / water or is that to prevent a tank from freezing.

Last edited by hacker-pschorr; 12-10-2005 at 04:35 PM.
Old 12-10-2005, 08:57 PM
  #2  
Airflite40
Official Rennlist
Borat Impersonator
Rennlist Member
 
Airflite40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

I think i got frozen fuel too, what can we do?
Old 12-10-2005, 09:05 PM
  #3  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Airflite40
I think i got frozen fuel too, what can we do?
I dumped in 2 bottles of isopropyl alcohol, aimed my jet heater towards the back of the car (about 10 feet away). I placed a digital thermometer on the ground under the tank. Temperature went up to about 45 degrees, eventually thawing out my tank.

I now have fuel flowing - still does not start. Cylinders are not receiving any fuel via the injectors. Not sure what I wired wrong or what I possibly blew in the injection system trying to jump start the fuel pump. Yippee.
Old 12-10-2005, 09:07 PM
  #4  
Airflite40
Official Rennlist
Borat Impersonator
Rennlist Member
 
Airflite40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Where can I get isopropyl alcohol?
Old 12-10-2005, 09:07 PM
  #5  
FlyingDog
Nordschleife Master
 
FlyingDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Not close enough to VIR.
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Could you be injecting water or have frozen water elsewhere in the system? Are you sure you're getting pressure at the rails now?
Old 12-10-2005, 09:18 PM
  #6  
macreel
Addict
Rennlist Member

 
macreel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Puget Sound Area
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey, I ALMOST feel guilty. Here in Puget Sound country today
it was clear, in the high 40's, low 50's. I went out to the stable
and the little 924 said "Take me, take me". The shark said "It's
ok, take the little whinner out for a run".

So I drove her over to the P.car dealer for a Team Seattle
(24 Hr Daytona)-Children's Hospital promotion. Looked at the
new Cayman (I'll keep my shark, thanks), scarfed the dealer's
food, guzzled their coffee, in general enjoyed the event. ;>

Oh, by the way, get your isopropyl at any drug store - it's
rubbing alcohol. Keep your fingers warm.

G'luck.
Old 12-10-2005, 09:20 PM
  #7  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by FlyingDog
Could you be injecting water or have frozen water elsewhere in the system? Are you sure you're getting pressure at the rails now?
I took the end cap off the right fuel rail (normally used to test fuel pressure). I had my wife turn on the battery, fuel started pouring out. I'm sure there could still be some water in the system, but she is not firing once, just a backfire or two while cranking. I with I had a fuel pressure tester, but even at low fuel pressure, it sould fire a few times.

I'm double checking my wires. Maybe I crossed the two sensors on the coolant bridge - not sure if that would prevent the car from starting though. This sucks.
Old 12-10-2005, 09:21 PM
  #8  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by macreel
Oh, by the way, get your isopropyl at any drug store - it's
rubbing alcohol. Keep your fingers warm.
Every gas station should sell the stuff designed for fuel tanks. Not sure if it's any different than the drug store bought stuff.
Old 12-10-2005, 09:25 PM
  #9  
Jim_H
Banned
 
Jim_H's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The Great Northwest
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Are your injectors making any noise?
Old 12-10-2005, 09:27 PM
  #10  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jim_H
Are your injectors making any noise?
I cannot tell, lost my helper so I have no one to crank the engine while I listen. Fuel should be making it into the cylinders via the cold start valve as well. Like I said before, #1 spark plug is bone dry. Not sure what would cause both the injectors and cold start injectors to not fire.
Old 12-10-2005, 09:33 PM
  #11  
Jim_H
Banned
 
Jim_H's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The Great Northwest
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Injectors frozen... Stupid idea probably but...

Originally Posted by Hacker-Pschorr
I cannot tell, lost my helper so I have no one to crank the engine while I listen. Fuel should be making it into the cylinders via the cold start valve as well. Like I said before, #1 spark plug is bone dry. Not sure what would cause both the injectors and cold start injectors to not fire.
Old 12-10-2005, 10:11 PM
  #12  
Garth S
Rennlist Member
 
Garth S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,210
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Jumper your fuel pump relay and get the fuel recirculating - do not try to start: take your trusty hair dryer and warm up the injectors. If you have no hair, safe but slow heat can be had from a 60-100W light bulb either side of the manifold.
For anyone getting isopropyl alcohol ( from any drugstore), get the 99% stuff - NOT the stuff labeled 'rubbing alcohol - it has 5%+ water in it .... somewhat defeats the purpose. A couple of ounces will generally do the job.
Old 12-10-2005, 10:17 PM
  #13  
hacker-pschorr
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
 
hacker-pschorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Up Nort
Posts: 1,453
Received 2,071 Likes on 1,183 Posts
Default

I'm really nervous cranking it over too much - this car has not run since March (head gasket job that took way too long). I did attach a drill to my fuel pump to oil everything before attaching the timing belt.

If I hook up a multi-meter to the injector leads, what am I looking for to see if they are receiving a signal to open?
Old 12-10-2005, 10:25 PM
  #14  
FlyingDog
Nordschleife Master
 
FlyingDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Not close enough to VIR.
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I don't know if a digital multimeter will respond fast enough to show injector pulses. An analog one should bounce if you're measuring across the injector. Remember, the injectors get 12V all the time (test that?) and are grounded by the L/LH to fire.
Old 12-10-2005, 11:10 PM
  #15  
heinrich
928 Collector
Rennlist Member

 
heinrich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Seattle
Posts: 17,269
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Holy crap, first time I've heard of frozen ful lines.


Quick Reply: New fuel pump is in - no fuel at the fuel rail. UPDATE - tank is frozen



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 10:56 PM.