khorvath

Imagine That!!!!

I changed the FPR (not the original one I had, but another one I had ordered - also used)....and the car STARTS!!!!!!

Stuttered at first...and once the fuel went throught the sys...it starts right up.

Have a coolant leak at one of the o-ring...can't test the warm start till I replace that seal this weekend....but so far...things look brighter!

WallyP

As you have discovered, a leaking diaphragm in any one of the three units (regulator or dampener) on the fuel lines will cause problems. The answer is yes, pull the vacuum line on each of the three units and check for any traces of fuel in the lines. Any leakage indicates failure.

khorvath

Thanks Wally. Waiting for the 'general' smell of gas to go away before I test out the vaccum tubes for gas smell....

another thing.....I turned it on late last night....and this morning for a few times....and it it looks like the first time I turn it on...it doesn't go...just tries to. As soon as I put the accelerator once....fires right up. Then the next 2-3 times i turn it on....just fine. Any ideas why the fuel does not make it through till I pump the gas that first time.

I assume this is going to be damper and FPR related....seems to to be source of all my recent issues.

I will put in the new 0-ring Sunday ....and then do some warm starts to see what is happening on that side of things.

Thanks all
Ken

Richter12x2

Try turning the key to on for a moment before turning it on to start, and see what happens. Does the pump run when you turn the key on on these? Or only when the key is in start?

Mrmerlin

my guess is the fuel pump check valve may be leaking down,
once fuel is up to pressure then it runs,
you can replace the valve its under the cap nut and its screwed into the pump outlet

Richter12x2

That was my thought, that something in the fuel system is allowing it to bleed down.

khorvath

I put the key in the 'on'position..but don't hear anything (except the flaps open and closing 5-6 times....for some reason....didn't used to do this...)

I know the fuel pump is in back, but how do I access it?

KEN

marinesniper0318

I have an 88 S4, and recently for the first time when I start it, it does the cold RPM idle (meaning goes above 1k, then gradually comes down at the engine warms up), never did this before. Also it cold starts fine but warm starts require me to press the gas most of the time. It also idles at around 500RPM in gear which is too low as I can feel the vibration...

Could my issue be the FPR as well..?

Richter12x2

marine - I'd think it's more likely to be a vacuum leak. Cheap to fix, a pain to find.

khorvath - on my '85, it's right at the bottom of the fuel tank, on the passenger side. You'd need to be under the car to see it. The part under the rear carpet at the top is just a sender.

Mongo

The starting issue sounds a lot like mine when I had a leaking fuel dampener. I pulled the vacuum line off after it sat one night and fuel just leaked out of it like I opened up the fuel rail.

Mongo

Idle control valve sounds like it's sticking. Is it hard to start when hot?

marinesniper0318

thanks guys for the input, I will be replacing everyingthing you mentioned plus the new fuel injectors tomorrow. I will be doing them one thing at a time and testing to see what fixed it. Either way I might as well replace parts that I have no idea how old they are.

1) fuel injectors (from Rog 19lbs Ford rebuilds)
2) Idle control valve
3) Search for a vacuum leak (argghhh : )