Fuel...engine problem
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
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Fuel...engine problem
Fellow cockpit jockeys ,
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 3
From: Seabeck WA
Don't Give Up So Easily
My '89, with 100K has seen the inside of many shops - more than yours I'll bet. But that L98 is so bulletproof that I won't give her up for a long time. Find a decent CV mechanic who can deal with your fuel problems - intelligently - (tell them what you've already done). Your '89 (if you haven't trashed it) is one of the best-looking, best-running Corvettes out there!
Fellow cockpit jockeys ,
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
Fellow cockpit jockeys ,
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
My 89' has seen too many shops...tired of it. I want to fix & sell her. Newer bat, newer fuel pump, vac line replaced. the problem is when I crank her it starts but then dies even if I pump more gas. A very strong odor of gas begins to fill the garage.
I appreciate any help you can provide. Oh, she has 141,000 miles on her
With the strong smell of fuel, it leads me to believe one or more injectors are leaking. Remember the older fuel injectors were not designed to run on alcohol based fuels which can cause rust/buildup to block or stick an injector.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
First - if you don't already have it, purchase a factory service manual. Use it to diagnose this problem and then repair it using the manual. The manual has simple to use diagnostic trees. You can sell it with the car when you are done repairing it. While you are waiting for it do the following.
Next, carefully inspect underhood for evidence of fuel leakage. Also check under fuel filler rubber membrane and underneath the car following the fuel lines to the filter and the engine.
Third, check the fuel pressure regulator - the symptoms sound like it is ruptured and leaking fuel. If not look for leaks in the fuel rail and around the injectors.
Oh and be extremely careful not to run the engine for any length of time - fuel smell is bad but fire is worse.
Next, carefully inspect underhood for evidence of fuel leakage. Also check under fuel filler rubber membrane and underneath the car following the fuel lines to the filter and the engine.
Third, check the fuel pressure regulator - the symptoms sound like it is ruptured and leaking fuel. If not look for leaks in the fuel rail and around the injectors.
Oh and be extremely careful not to run the engine for any length of time - fuel smell is bad but fire is worse.
Last edited by Silver96ce; Mar 16, 2014 at 10:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
My '89, with 100K has seen the inside of many shops - more than yours I'll bet. But that L98 is so bulletproof that I won't give her up for a long time. Find a decent CV mechanic who can deal with your fuel problems - intelligently - (tell them what you've already done). Your '89 (if you haven't trashed it) is one of the best-looking, best-running Corvettes out there!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Take a look at this video -
Forgot to add you only need to watch about the first five minutes. There are probably other videos showing the replacement process but I only did a quick search for this one.
Forgot to add you only need to watch about the first five minutes. There are probably other videos showing the replacement process but I only did a quick search for this one.
Last edited by Silver96ce; Mar 16, 2014 at 11:59 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
To check for a ruptured FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) diaphragm, pull off the vacuum line. Turn on the ignition without starting the engine. If fuel comes out of the vacuum fitting on the FPR then the diaphragm is ruptured.
It caused a fire in my car, so don't let this go.
Another possible cause of a fuel smell is the vapor line that goes from the gas tank to the vapor canister. There is a rubber hose that joins two metal lines that can break. It is located in front of the driver's side rear tire:
It caused a fire in my car, so don't let this go.
Another possible cause of a fuel smell is the vapor line that goes from the gas tank to the vapor canister. There is a rubber hose that joins two metal lines that can break. It is located in front of the driver's side rear tire:
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
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Take a look at this video -
1986 C4 Corvette Fuel Pressure Regulator saga - YouTube
Forgot to add you only need to watch about the first five minutes. There are probably other videos showing the replacement process but I only did a quick search for this one.
1986 C4 Corvette Fuel Pressure Regulator saga - YouTube
Forgot to add you only need to watch about the first five minutes. There are probably other videos showing the replacement process but I only did a quick search for this one.
??????? ideas
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
I don't have a TPI setup but IIRC if you pull the plenum you should have access to the fuel rail and injectors. There are o-rings for the top and bottom of each injector along with o-rings for the tube ends connecting the fuel rails and at the fuel pressure regulator - any one or more of these can be leaking.
Here is a do-it-yourself page for TPI with a diagram of the fuel rail and its components -
http://chevythunder.com/do_it_yourse...d%20Components
Here is a link to FIC web page for L98s - you can get a fuel rail rebuild kit for $30.00, rebuilt injectors for $189.00 and a new fuel pressure regulator diaphragm for $49.95. All for $270.00 and your fuel injector system is completely rebuilt. And if you have a problem, Jon the owner knows his stuff. This is what I would do at this time.
http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/sh...hp?groupid=101
Oh and if you already haven't done it - change the fuel filter.
Here is a do-it-yourself page for TPI with a diagram of the fuel rail and its components -
http://chevythunder.com/do_it_yourse...d%20Components
Here is a link to FIC web page for L98s - you can get a fuel rail rebuild kit for $30.00, rebuilt injectors for $189.00 and a new fuel pressure regulator diaphragm for $49.95. All for $270.00 and your fuel injector system is completely rebuilt. And if you have a problem, Jon the owner knows his stuff. This is what I would do at this time.
http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/sh...hp?groupid=101
Oh and if you already haven't done it - change the fuel filter.
Last edited by Silver96ce; Mar 17, 2014 at 11:26 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 23
From: Wills Point Texas
7Cav where are you located in E.TX? I also live in E.Texas and I might can help you out.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I don't have a TPI setup but IIRC if you pull the plenum you should have access to the fuel rail and injectors. There are o-rings for the top and bottom of each injector along with o-rings for the tube ends connecting the fuel rails and at the fuel pressure regulator - any one or more of these can be leaking.
Here is a do-it-yourself page for TPI with a diagram of the fuel rail and its components -
http://chevythunder.com/do_it_yourse...d%20Components
Here is a link to FIC web page for L98s - you can get a fuel rail rebuild kit for $30.00, rebuilt injectors for $189.00 and a new fuel pressure regulator diaphragm for $49.95. All for $270.00 and your fuel injector system is completely rebuilt. And if you have a problem, Jon the owner knows his stuff. This is what I would do at this time.
http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/sh...hp?groupid=101
Oh and if you already haven't done it - change the fuel filter.
Here is a do-it-yourself page for TPI with a diagram of the fuel rail and its components -
http://chevythunder.com/do_it_yourse...d%20Components
Here is a link to FIC web page for L98s - you can get a fuel rail rebuild kit for $30.00, rebuilt injectors for $189.00 and a new fuel pressure regulator diaphragm for $49.95. All for $270.00 and your fuel injector system is completely rebuilt. And if you have a problem, Jon the owner knows his stuff. This is what I would do at this time.
http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/sh...hp?groupid=101
Oh and if you already haven't done it - change the fuel filter.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 23
From: Wills Point Texas
I'm a bit away from you (north of Wills Point) but wouldn't mind meeting up maybe at a Corvette event or maybe just take a cruise some day and meet up to discus the problems your having over some cold ones or coffee. I'm retired so no time and day constraints for me.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I'm a bit away from you (north of Wills Point) but wouldn't mind meeting up maybe at a Corvette event or maybe just take a cruise some day and meet up to discus the problems your having over some cold ones or coffee. I'm retired so no time and day constraints for me.
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
It could be any early stage before one of your injector goes bad, start unplgging one injector at a time. Unplug one then start it, once you unplug the one going bad it will stay running. I say that because the 89 I revive several months ago did the same thing after I finally got it to run, then it started doing you're experiencing, until I isolated each injector. I made an harness to test individual injector, you can hear them clicking if you do this.