Hi this is my first post so let me start by saying I am no mechanic in anyway so bare with me. I have a 1996 camaro Z28 convertible with 46,850 miles on it. It has the 350 but I don't think it is the LT1. My problem is it does not want to start. It turns ver fine but it won't start. I have figured out that when I turn the key on I don't hear the fuel pump. If I don't hear it I know it is not going to start. So I keep turning the ignition off then back on again until I here the fuel pump which usually takes 10 to 25 times. But it just kicks on for a second. Then I turn the engine over and it fires up for a few seconds and then dies. Then I have to start all this over again. After about three times of doing this it will stay running. Then it is real hesitent for awhile going down the road then it smooths out. Then if I stop somewhere and shut it off when I come back out it fires right up. Everyonce in awhile while idleing at a stop light it starts to stall and I have keep the engine reved to keep it running, when it does this it sometimes smokes? Sorry for spelling. Any ideas would be appriciated Thanks Butch

 

Hiya Butch, welcome to the board!

I would start off by checking your fuel pressure. You can buy a fuel pressure gauge for around 40 bucks (it will come in handy!). There is a valve (called a schrader valve) on the back of the fuel rails that you screw the fuel pressure gauge onto.

Stock fuel pressure at idle should read ~43.5psi. If you don't see ~43.5 (or close to it...~5psi) you have a fuel pump that is on its way out.

Here's a pic of the schrader valve. Its that little nipple barely sticking up behind the intake (the valve is actually on a crossover tube from one rail to the other).

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...676_3_full.jpg

Ryan

 

Just to clarify a bit, it's on the main supply line on the back of the manifold, the cross over is actually the line that's just behind the throttle body.

 

::brain fart::

Whew! Excuse me!

Ryan

 

 

You need to verify that the fuel pressure holds (doesn't bleed off) when starting. You fuel pressure can be fine when the engine is running, but still have a holding pressure issue. The fuel pump has an internal check valve that holds the fuel pressure for starting conditions. The fuel pump only runs for 2 seconds during starting. Once the engine starts, the fuel pumps runs constantly. A faulty fuel pressure regulator or a clogged fuel filter could also be the cause of your problem.

 

Yep, we've been debating as similar problem tonight in another thread. Maybe it will give some more insight into your problem.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=230018

 

Thanks for the reply's, I'll check the fuel pressure when I get a guage and let you know what I come up with. Thanks Butch

 

I haven't got the fuel pressure gauge yet but I though about checking the fuel pump relay. Once I found the relay I held on to it and turned the key on. The relay kicked on for a few seconds then back off. The fuel pump never did kick on. I assume the pump should kick on and off with the relay? Could I just have a loose connection at the fuel pump? Is there any way to check without dropping it or cutting into the car? Or could this just mean the fuel pump is going out? Thanks for any help. Butch

 

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Oh and by the way your car has the lt1. all z28's made from 93 to 97 have the lt1 350.