A brief history...I purchased the car not running due to a thrust bearing failure. I replaced the engine with a low mileage almost new engine and , after an expensive refresh, I installed it in the car.

So, I need to hear it run. On the weekend I get everything ready to go but am not sure if I have all the vacuum lines connected correctly. I sort of thing I do but I'm sure. Everything is connected and those that are not, eg the deleted air pump, are capped off.

The moment has arrived. The battery is fully charged and all fluids are in. I turn the key.

Turns over great...builds oil pressure to almost 5 bar...but nothing else. No ignition! I check the gas gauge and it's low so I add 30 litres. Turns over great but no ignition. I open the rubber fuel line at the front of the motor, between the fuel rails, to see if there is fuel and it's dry.

So, no fuel. My questions are, other than checking the relays, which I will do on the weekend.Any ideas are greatly appreciated

 

I had a similar problem after my engine rebuild. The car was on jack stands for 6 months will all fuel lines disconnected and I guess because of not much fuel in the tank or lines I ended up with a rust/dirt condition in my tank and/or pump and it would not pump the first drop. (clogged the pump). Result, no fuel pressure and the engine would not start. I replaced the pump and the engine started right up, ran for about 30 miles and then the new pump clogged. After that I droped the tank for a good cleaning, replaced the screen all has been great ever since. (I couldn't believe how much dirt and rust was in the bottom of the tank.

First as Sterling stated above you need to see if the pump is running.

 

Mike...........jumper the FP relay to ensure thats getting fuel to the engine. Once confirmed whats the pressure like at the rails?

If you don't have a guage and have some time this weekend let me know; we'll get 'er fixed.

 

That's weird. You shouldn't have to swap the fittings. Can't imagine the arrow on the filter not being stamped correctly. Anyway, the flow is left to right.

 

Check this out: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/449453-fuel-sender-rebuilding.html

If you jump your relay you should hear you pump whine " Like the Liberals", don't do this for long either go/no-go. If you hear it than crank open with nut off your front fuel rail bolt and see if you have fuel. If you have fuel it is possible that your crank sensor is not connected, if signal is missing while trying to start normally it will cut the fuel off.

No pump:
Open the sender on the top of your tank and pull it out look inside with a flashlight. You may see a bunch of crap I can tell you you must clean this out or you will ruining your fuel pump. I drained the tank used toluene under pressure to wash it out. I had to change the in tank filter, fuel pump and main filter including the sender due to this gunk. I also disconnected the fuel line up front and blew it back with toluene. Yours might not be as bad as mine but you still need to clean things up if you find any crap. Good-Luck!

I you have a Napa near you get and Air conditioning Flush kit it is a metal bottle you fill with any liquid and use compressed air about $50.00 a very handy tool to have.

One other note you have a one way valve on the pump is it correct?

 

Thanks for the great tips guys...much appreciated! I'll check them all out and report back.

Malcolm, very generous offer...sincerely, thanks. If the above ideas doesn't work I may beg for your assistance.

 

As I think I mentioned above I went thru 2 pumps before I finally took the plunge and cleaned out the tank and system! They are not cheap.

 

Funny thing David is I was thinking of doing what you suggested before I added the fuel...Live and learn.

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

No worries Mike; need to stretch the cars legs before.................snow

Call or send a PM

 

Finally got some time today to try some of the ideas you gents suggested.

I jumpered the fuel pump relay (XX) and the fuel pump whined. Prior to jumpering the relay the fuel pump made no noise when the key was turned all the way on. I'm by myself so I couldn't hear if it was running when I turned the motor over. Does that mean the relay is bad? Is there a way to test a relay?

When I jumpered the relay I opened the rubber fuel line at the front of the motor waiting for gushing fuel and nothing came out. I let the pump run about 2 mins. I think my line is obstructed somewhere from the tank to the fuel cooler? Perhaps I'll blow it out with compressed air?

I opened the fuel sender thing on top of the tank and looked inside. Seemed pretty clean...no gunk on the sender and the screen, at least on top, was not clogged in any way.

I'm pretty sure the crank sender is connected but it's hard to see down there...even with a mirror.

Ideas?

 

Mike.........for confirmation the XX relay jumpered between terminals 30 and 87 should run the FP constantly. With fuel in the tank you should have fuel at the engine but I dont understand why you had to mess the with fuel filter connections. Can you post a pic?

Here's a note from Tony's great site: http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/fuel.htm

 

The only thing that makes any sense is I put this in backwards?


Although, the old filter had the arrow the same way???

 

Yes, the filter is backwards. Arrow should point left to right.

 

M/fer! Clearly I'm an idiot!

Perhaps it may even start now

 

So...I turned the filter around, took the cap off the fuel rail and jumpered the fuel pump relay. The pump ran and not a drop came out. It must be blocked somewhere...Must take a break...I think I'll go for a walk in traffic