QuestionQUESTION: Here's the scenario:
The car was driven 30-35 mins, shut on/off twice, died abruptly mid road... would not restart. Would turn over, just not start. Sat 3 days, restarted fine. Car ran to work and back for almost 2 weeks just fine (20 mins each direction)... died on the off ramp of highway, same problem. Fuel filter getting clogged?
ANSWER: Hi Adam,
The fuel filter is one of hundreds of things that can shut the engine down. You may run out of money it you start replacing items that can shut the engine off. So you need to visually see what section dies.
All gas engines only require 3 items to run. Compression, Fire and fuel. With conditions on each.
Compression can go away and shut an engine down but it is unlikely that it will return later. So you can rule out Compression for now.
That leaves fire (Spark) and fuel (gasoline) and both are very easy to test. You will need a timing light and a spray can of starting fluid. Neither are expensive. Symptoms can lead you to a area but are mostly useless other than to tell you it is not running and you know that. Testing is the ONLY method to find a fault.
Testing a car that is running is also mostly useless. The tests MUST be done on the car in the failed mode. Meaning when the car has quit and will not start. Unfortunately you must run the car until it quits. You will need to carry the timing light with you and a can of starting fluid. That may mean driving the car around your block for 35 min. if that seems to be the limit. As soon as it quits quickly connect up the timing light and see if when you try to start it that you have or don't have spark. The other test is to spray some starting fluid into the air cleaner intake when trying to start it. If fuel is the problem it will start for a second or two and only run as you continue to spray into the intake.
This will establish either fire or fuel and then you will need to go to the next tests. contact me when you have established that and I will give you the next set of tests.
Howard
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QUESTION: Thank you so very much for your insight...
Did the fuel test, after sitting all night the car started momentarily with addition of starter fluid.. then quickly died. I attempted to re-start w/o use of fluid.. car sputtered and coughed out white smoke from intake manifold. The nut holding the air filter on is too tight to loosen by hand, I'll have it towed home this afternoon to do further testing. Is it safe to assume their is a problem with fuel?
ANSWER: If you tried to start it and it would not start and then sprayed starting fluid in and it started for just a second or two then it is a fuel problem. Let me know when you get it to home and I will give you the next tests.
Howard
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QUESTION: Got her home... Ready to test.
AnswerAgain, try to start the car and if it does not start remove the air cleaner and turn on the key and by hand open the flap in the air flow meter and listen for the fuel being pumped through the fuel rail. This is a preliminary test of the fuel pump. It does not test fuel pressure but does test the relays and the switch in the airflow meter.
Howard
