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.

 

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.

 

Where can I get isopropyl alcohol?

 

Could you be injecting water or have frozen water elsewhere in the system? Are you sure you're getting pressure at the rails now?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Every gas station should sell the stuff designed for fuel tanks. Not sure if it's any different than the drug store bought stuff.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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