MarcR94v6

I ran out of gas and my car barely started enough to get home with the help of a freeway service guy who gave me 2 gallons. It died just before getting to my house but I was able to get home eventually. I was so sure it was my pump I didn't even check the pressure, I already had a 244lph pump so I just changed it out earlier tonight. I cycle the pump and check the pressure - 42psi, but it just cranks like it has no gas, just like after it died. Full tank of gas btw.

Whats next, injectors?

Injuneer

Have you scanned it?

MarcR94v6

Don't have a scanner, I always have a problem going to the places that offer free scans because they never have a scanner that works on a 94 lt1, not that I could drive the car there anyhow. I tried a cheap one that didn't work a long time ago, it wanted me to read the codes like morse code in a series of flashes of the ses light on the dash . Maybe I should just buy one? You know any good brands/models injuneer?

I forgot to add that I made it to the gas station, filled up, it started fine but died 2 minutes or less later.

Guest47904

Did you try squirting fuel in the intake while someone cranks it over? Can tell you a lot.

Injuneer

You can buy used Auto X-ray OBD-I scanners on eBay. Just don't buy the cheapie that does no more than short the pins of the ALDL connector, which doesn't work on any year after 1993.

You can also download free diagnostic software from TTS DataMaster and FreeScan. All you need is a laptop and a cable.

http://www.ttspowersystems.com/
http://www.andywhittaker.com/
http://www.akmcables.com/

bombebomb

Clogged fuel filter?

Angelis83LT

That is pretty likely if he ran out of gas. Could have sucked up a bunch of crap and pushed it into the filter .

MarcR94v6

I didn't think a filter could cause something like no start period, I'll try that, all good suggestions, thanks.

Angelis83LT

Yea, you have alot of crap sitting at the bottom of the tank, if it gets sucked up for some reason and gets through the sock or filter on the pickup, and hits the fuel filter it can clog the fuel filter, which will in turn not allow fuel to pass at the correct rate.

madhatter

Nothing is clogged. He is getting fuel, he said that he has 42 psi at the rail.

bombebomb

I also thought this, but its something easy to check, plus after running out of gas it is more than likely ready to be changed.

Angelis83LT

Sounds like he let the pump prime and then checked it. (cycled the pump) If the filter is clogging up he may get 42psi when it is done priming, but when the car is trying to start it may be get much less not allowing the car to fire.

Good example. I can get 42psi of pressure on a hose that is 3mm wide. I can get 42PSI on a hose that is 3/8" wide. Which one is going to flow more fuel though. Obviously the 3/8" one. So if your filter is clogging up and restricting flow, you can still get the pressure, but as soon as you try to start using the fuel, the PSI will drop because it does not have the flow to maintain it.

This is assuming he was not checking it while he was trying to start it to see if it maintained the 42 lbs.

MarcR94v6

I unfortunately have a short FP gauge and no one to help me at the time so I cannot see it while cranking

I'm testing the opti and maybe changing the fuel filter this weekend.

bombebomb

When you change the fuel filter unscrew it slowly first DO NOT undo the quick snap or else you will be taking a shower. (you will undo the quick snap after you bleed the pressure)

MarcR94v6

I actually did it once on the v6 before I knew how to bleed the pressure beyond removing the gas cap, on a full tank of gas, which I have now. It didn't spray at me, but it poured out so I had to be really quick.

I just tested the opti with my dad by removing one of the wires still connected to the opti, putting it to ground and cranking it to see spark....no spark.