I can't get it to run! Arghhh!!

[KrayZFrameRate]

Well.....I am severely frustrated with my car. Maybe someone else has a idea.

'90 Festiva L Plus. I just swapped the motor. The car has about 192k on it but the motor I put in only has 69k. I am pretty sure the new motor came out of a automatic because the transmission braces were much larger and in a different location. So....

I have spark on all four cylinders
I have it timed correctly
I have fuel pressure.... or at least I do up until the regulator
I have good compression 180psi all the way across the motor

But it won't start! Let me correct that, it will start....

If I take a gas soaked rag and put it on the throttle body it will start. Or if I put some gas into the intake piping it will start and run till it uses up that little bit of fuel. But it will not start or run on it's own fuel system.

So I am clueless, any ideas?

[piratewilly]

you could hit it with a hammer like i do, that always seems to make me feel better, doesn't seems to help the car much though

[Pu241]

Sounds like seized injectors.

Can you swap your "old" injectors into this engine!

Before you go that far, pull one one of the injectors out and apply voltage via a 9V battery to see if it will actuate!

[KrayZFrameRate]

Sounds like seized injectors.

Can you swap your "old" injectors into this engine!

Before you go that far, pull one one of the injectors out and apply voltage via a 9V battery to see if it will actuate!

That is a good idea. I have given up on it for the night but I will try that first thing in the morning. I think the motor may of been sitting out of a car for quite some time. What causes seized injectors?

[Pu241]

water induced corrosion
fuel degradation/polymerization
lack of lubrication in fuel but this would also cause wear and leaking injectors as would water induced corrosion.

they might just need a good cleaning.
Do you have access to a sonic bath.

Getting ahead of myself!
Need to see if that is the problem first!
Good luck tomorrow.

[KrayZFrameRate]

water induced corrosion
fuel degradation/polymerization
lack of lubrication in fuel but this would also cause wear and leaking injectors as would water induced corrosion.

they might just need a good cleaning.
Do you have access to a sonic bath.

Getting ahead of myself!
Need to see if that is the problem first!
Good luck tomorrow.

I'm not sure about the sonic bath. I will have to see what we have at work. But hopefully that is my problem. Will let you know tomorrow.

[Burnrate]

I know you said you had good fuel pressure but... are the fuel lines on in the right order. Its a common problem with swaps. Also do the rgulators hum in festivas with the key on like on the aspires? Is your humming?

[Damkid]

I know you said you had good fuel pressure but... are the fuel lines on in the right order. Its a common problem with swaps. Also do the rgulators hum in festivas with the key on like on the aspires? Is your humming?

i was going to say the same thing, i have (a couple times) put the fuel lines on backwards and wondered why it wouldn't run

[KrayZFrameRate]

i was going to say the same thing, i have (a couple times) put the fuel lines on backwards and wondered why it wouldn't run

Would you be able to shoot me a picture of the properly installed fuel lines? I have the line coming from the filter going to the pressure regulator (at least that is what I think it is) and the other fuel line is going to the steel line on top of the fuel rail.

I checked all four injectors, they were all seized except one. I gave them all a little tap and they all started working. I re installed them but I still can't get it to start.

[Damkid]

sounds like you got your fuel lines backwards, i beleive the line coming off the pressure regulator is the return line

i can't get a picture for you since both of my festivas are at least 15 min drive away

[KrayZFrameRate]

sounds like you got your fuel lines backwards, i beleive the line coming off the pressure regulator is the return line

i can't get a picture for you since both of my festivas are at least 15 min drive away

Odd, I would figure it would be the other way around. Well....! I hope that is the case. I will report shortly.

[KrayZFrameRate]

SUCCESS!!!!!

Thanks Damkid. I have been working on this for three days. Very happy to have it running without life support now.

[Pu241]

Alright, sounds like progress!
Look forward to "It's alive" post!

[Pu241]

So we have ignition Houston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pu241]

Just as a precaution, I'd throw some injection cleaner or seafoam into the fuel tank!