'84 Carrera won't start

[itsme]

I would disconnect the fuel line at the motor and see if there is fuel flowing. A pump that makes noise does not indicate that its a pump that pumps fuel. You need to visually check to see fuel flow. If you do have fuel flow then move on to the injectors.

[logician]

Update:

8) a noid light on the #1 fuel injector indicates it's firing.

9) opening the fuel test port after cranking shows a few ounces of fuel dribbling out. So the pump is pumping. Not clear that pressure is sufficient.

10) last time the car was driven was 3 years ago.

To summarize: we have spark and we have fuel injector signal, so it looks like the control system is working right. What's left? I think fuel pressure or six completely clogged injectors.

Anybody have experience with fuel pressure regulator failure? Where is that regulator anyway?

Thanks!
Juan

[cgarr]

The regular decreases fuel pressure when operating you can pull the vac line and it will still run but with higher pressure. After cranking it if you pull the test port cap on the rail, fuel should spray out of there not just drip.

[ischmitz]

This "opening the fuel test port after cranking shows a few ounces of fuel dribbling out" is not a real test result. You need a pressure gauge to tell if you have the correct pressure. Don't know top of my head but it needs to be somewhere between 32 and 38 PSI depending on whether vacuum is connected, or not.

Have you introduced a combustible liquid (starter fluid, brake cleaner, etc.) into the air cleaner.

Have you tried to free the injectors. They don't clog - the needle sticks and that can easily be corrected by what I suggested (tapping while firing or shocking with +12V)

Ingo

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by ischmitz

This "opening the fuel test port after cranking shows a few ounces of fuel dribbling out" is not a real test result. You need a pressure gauge to tell if you have the correct pressure. Don't know top of my head but it needs to be somewhere between 32 and 38 PSI depending on whether vacuum is connected, or not.

Have you introduced a combustible liquid (starter fluid, brake cleaner, etc.) into the air cleaner.

Have you tried to free the injectors. They don't clog - the needle sticks and that can easily be corrected by what I suggested (tapping while firing or shocking with +12V)

Ingo

Right, fuel "dribbling out" is hardly an indication of adequate pressure.
Again, do the simple test of spraying some sort of fuel into the intake to confirm
it's a fuel problem and then direct your efforts appropriately.

[Marknado4000]

My 84 did the exact same thing. Fuel pump worked and it had spark but wouldn't start. Turned out to be the engine temperature sensor. It would be worth chucking a multimeter on the plug to check.

[logician]

Thanks for all the good suggestions! All signs pointing to a fuel issue.

Ischmitz, timing light indicates a spark, so the starter fluid test won't add any new info.

Thanks!
Juan

[ischmitz]

Originally Posted by logician

Thanks for all the good suggestions! All signs pointing to a fuel issue.

Ischmitz, timing light indicates a spark, so the starter fluid test won't add any new info.

Thanks!
Juan

agreed but it'll might help free the injectors. You'd be surprised how simple recovery sometimes it..... I have seen it many times. Once you get a couple going and the engine coughs to live the others kick in due to vibration.

ingo