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Started off as applying throttle to an already known position that would bring the desired rate of acceleration (I drive easy on acceleration to save fuel instead of hot rodding to the speed limit).. and the car would occasionally stumble or there'd be a quickly alternating over acceleration and underacceleration compared to my intended rate of acceleration.
Then one day on a trip, the car sputtered and died, wouldn't restart. I go recover it with my F350 and a tow strap. Get it home, change the fuel filter which was at least a little restricted. Fuel pump is pumping. Changed spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor - the spark will jump at least a half an inch. Noid light on three injectors (other one is impossible to get to without disassembly).. all three reachable injectors light the noid. Checked for trouble codes.. none. Fuel pressure with key on engine off and test plug jumped = ~38.5psi. Fuel pressure with 17 inHg vaccum applied to fuel pressure regulator 31psi, and with 20inHg vaccum applied (from hand vaccum pump both times because engine won't start): 29psi.
Specs from haynes manual:
fuel pump test connector jumped (engine not running): 38-44psi
vaccum sensing hose attached (at idle): 30-38psi [except my engine won't start so vaccum pump17&20inHg)
vaccum sensing hose detached (at idle) 36-44psi [can't even try to simulate this test with no start]
Did have a fuel pressure leakdown until I pinched the fuel return line with fuel pump test plug jumped, key on, and pressure jumped to at least 52psi, then the pressure leakdown went from several psi per second lost to many minutes not losing even 1 psi after disconnecting the jumper (and letting go of the fuel return line).
Leaned the seat up and got in to the fuel pump.. light still passes through the filter on the bottom of the fuel pump.
Timing belt was done 10-12 thousand miles ago.
Engine did get back to starting and running after it died at walmart. Occasional... what seemed like a miss, sitting at idle. Under heavy throttle (anywhere from 1/4 or 1/3 depressed, to full throttle) the engine would stop making power at all.. and sitting still in park if punched the throttle it would also die or try to die, but sitting still or driving if the accelerator was pressed slowly - the engine would run and accelerate the vehicle, but only up to about 25 to 33% throttle before it'd quit. Let off the throttle and slowly press it less than 25-33% and it would again accelerate. Added seafoam to the fuel tank slightly stronger than 1oz per gallon but less than 2oz per gallon (I think it was 8oz in 6 to 6.5gal of fuel). Drove it around that day, then the next day it was doing better, and the third day it was worse.
But currently it's not starting, doesn't even sound like it's trying to fire except for once in blue moon. Do smell fuel after cranking it for a while, strongest at the tailpipe.
Fuel tank at least half full. Battery is good, and charged. Battery terminals freshly cleaned and reinstalled.Timing belt should still be good with how recent it was done. Fresh plugs wires cap rotor.
Any ideas? What to check? Any questions for me?
Then one day on a trip, the car sputtered and died, wouldn't restart. I go recover it with my F350 and a tow strap. Get it home, change the fuel filter which was at least a little restricted. Fuel pump is pumping. Changed spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor - the spark will jump at least a half an inch. Noid light on three injectors (other one is impossible to get to without disassembly).. all three reachable injectors light the noid. Checked for trouble codes.. none. Fuel pressure with key on engine off and test plug jumped = ~38.5psi. Fuel pressure with 17 inHg vaccum applied to fuel pressure regulator 31psi, and with 20inHg vaccum applied (from hand vaccum pump both times because engine won't start): 29psi.
Specs from haynes manual:
fuel pump test connector jumped (engine not running): 38-44psi
vaccum sensing hose attached (at idle): 30-38psi [except my engine won't start so vaccum pump17&20inHg)
vaccum sensing hose detached (at idle) 36-44psi [can't even try to simulate this test with no start]
Did have a fuel pressure leakdown until I pinched the fuel return line with fuel pump test plug jumped, key on, and pressure jumped to at least 52psi, then the pressure leakdown went from several psi per second lost to many minutes not losing even 1 psi after disconnecting the jumper (and letting go of the fuel return line).
Leaned the seat up and got in to the fuel pump.. light still passes through the filter on the bottom of the fuel pump.
Timing belt was done 10-12 thousand miles ago.
Engine did get back to starting and running after it died at walmart. Occasional... what seemed like a miss, sitting at idle. Under heavy throttle (anywhere from 1/4 or 1/3 depressed, to full throttle) the engine would stop making power at all.. and sitting still in park if punched the throttle it would also die or try to die, but sitting still or driving if the accelerator was pressed slowly - the engine would run and accelerate the vehicle, but only up to about 25 to 33% throttle before it'd quit. Let off the throttle and slowly press it less than 25-33% and it would again accelerate. Added seafoam to the fuel tank slightly stronger than 1oz per gallon but less than 2oz per gallon (I think it was 8oz in 6 to 6.5gal of fuel). Drove it around that day, then the next day it was doing better, and the third day it was worse.
But currently it's not starting, doesn't even sound like it's trying to fire except for once in blue moon. Do smell fuel after cranking it for a while, strongest at the tailpipe.
Fuel tank at least half full. Battery is good, and charged. Battery terminals freshly cleaned and reinstalled.Timing belt should still be good with how recent it was done. Fresh plugs wires cap rotor.
Any ideas? What to check? Any questions for me?
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