Just got towed home...Help......

[Rmally]

I finally got most of the 914 back together and decided to take her out for a nice long drive....It turned into a nice short one.

Quick background (1974 1.8). I drove the car without any issues back in October 2009, and then decided to soda blast and refurbish the car. The shop finished the car two weeks ago and yesterday I finished with most of the assembly.

I started her up and drove about 3 miles to the gas station with no issues. I put in about 7 gallons and then I was off on my run. I got about 2 miles away and the car hesitated once but then cleared, it then hesitated again and went completly dead. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to re-start......nothing.

I let the car sit for 3-5 minutes, took off the gas cap and it fired right up. I jumped in but before I could even close the door it died and never would start again.

I can smell gas when turning the key, but its not even trying to hit. I looked for loose wires but found nothing. I am maybe a 4 out of 10 on the mechanic side so not really sure what to do next. I don't think the fuel pump is making any noise at all, would this cause all of this?

Thanks for any help,

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The fuel pump on the 1.8 only runs when the starter is cranking, or when the flap in the air flow meter is open. It does not do the 1.5 second "prime" that the D-jet pump does.

You need three things to run:
1- fuel
2- spark
3- compression

You can smell fuel, so that's a good sign. You can use an extra plug to check for spark; ground it against the crankcase and have someone crank the starter. Either use some very well insulated pliers to hold it, or just tape it so you don't have to touch it--that voltage really HURTS when it goes through your hand...

You can get a compression tester from your Friendly Local Auto Parts Store (FLAPS). You can also listen to the sounds the starter makes when cranking. If there is a "drop" in the pattern ("rr-rr-rr-..-rr-rr-rr-..") that would show one cylinder with no compression. You can usually assume the compression is OK, in part because fixing it is very involved--check the easier things first.

If you have all three, spark, fuel, and air, then you either have a spark happening at the wrong time, or too much or too little fuel.

--DD

[Joe Bob]

Spray kwik start into the intake when someone else is turning the key. If it starts, then it's a fuel issue. Either a fuel pump or filter.

No start, then it's spark....

[Rmally]

Thanks guys,

I just tried it a few minutes ago, it acts like it wants to start but won't. In other words it's getting spark but won't actually start or run.

Any ideas where to start on the fuel diagnosis.

Would the fact that I just added 3/4 of a tank of fuel have any correlation, or is that just coincidence.

Thanks for any tips.

[Joe Bob]

Fuel pressure and/or filter may be an issue. Also the screen at the bottom of the fuel tank could be clogged.

[Joe Bob]

Doing the same dance on my room mates' Jaguar. Fuel pump looks weak but we are checking the fuel regulator as well. Filter flows good, no other blockages.

No specs on fuel pressure, just flow. It coughs with Kwik start, has spark but doesn't run. Pump locally is $230, $79 on the net......******* English POS....

[Tobra]

On the Jag, try tapping the fuel pump while cranking, they hang up sometimes