Need Help Quick...please!!!
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
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From: Marlboro NJ
Need Help Quick...please!!!
OK guys....My first issue with the vette since i bought it a month ago 
. I was driving along and the car died. Basically I was doing 40 MPH and all of the sudden there was a backfire from the exhaust, and it just died. Now if it matters my car had 2 bars left on the fuel gauge. So in any event my pops came with some fuel...filled it with 5 gallons....still nothing. The car seems to want to turn over but cant. It doesn't go click click or anything. So we towed it back to my house and now I am here. So the car is a 93 6-speed with 106K on the clock. Before I left it started up fine. It always starts up like a champ...pretty fast. I am at a loss. The roads were bone dry and there was no aggressive driving. If any more information is needed from you guys let me know.....Otherwise any info will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!
. I was driving along and the car died. Basically I was doing 40 MPH and all of the sudden there was a backfire from the exhaust, and it just died. Now if it matters my car had 2 bars left on the fuel gauge. So in any event my pops came with some fuel...filled it with 5 gallons....still nothing. The car seems to want to turn over but cant. It doesn't go click click or anything. So we towed it back to my house and now I am here. So the car is a 93 6-speed with 106K on the clock. Before I left it started up fine. It always starts up like a champ...pretty fast. I am at a loss. The roads were bone dry and there was no aggressive driving. If any more information is needed from you guys let me know.....Otherwise any info will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
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From: Valencia PA
I would get a fuel pressure gauge and make sure you have pressure when you first turn the key. I have seen fuel pumps go like this. The pump should run the first two seconds then shut off until you start it. You may have to cycle the key a few times to get a full pressure reading.
Come to think of it, my Trans Am died like that one time. Gave it a little gas to go up a hill and it was like someone turned the key off. Timing Chain.
Come to think of it, my Trans Am died like that one time. Gave it a little gas to go up a hill and it was like someone turned the key off. Timing Chain.
Last edited by Z~max; May 12, 2006 at 08:40 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 72
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From: Ladson SC
I didn't quite understand your description; does it crank and just not start? If so let me reiterate tequilaboy's comment: "Got spark?" See pull a plug wire and plug (or use an old plug) and ground it to the block while someone else cranks the engine. If you have a spark move on to fuel starvation: Is there pressure in the fuel rail (does it squirt fuel when you press the Schrader valve on the rail?) If not, will it try to start/run on starting fluid? Move on from there.
That's how I begin a no start troubleshooting scenario.
That's how I begin a no start troubleshooting scenario.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,301
Likes: 2,223
From: Central Maryland
A backfire in the exhaust strongly suggests that spark arrived at a cylinder at the wrong time. This tends to point a finger at the Opti.
It's possible that it's a fuel-delivery issue, and that the air/fuel ratio got severely out of whack, so check fuel pressure first.
If fuel pressure looks good, check for spark.
Work your way along from there. This one should not be terribly difficult to troubleshoot, as it's a consistent failure.
Be well,
SJW
'
It's possible that it's a fuel-delivery issue, and that the air/fuel ratio got severely out of whack, so check fuel pressure first.
If fuel pressure looks good, check for spark.
Work your way along from there. This one should not be terribly difficult to troubleshoot, as it's a consistent failure.
Be well,
SJW
'
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by spinktec
See pull a plug wire and plug (or use an old plug) and ground it to the block while someone else cranks the engine. If you have a spark move on to fuel starvation: Is there pressure in the fuel rail (does it squirt fuel when you press the Schrader valve on the rail?) If not, will it try to start/run on starting fluid? Move on from there.
That's how I begin a no start troubleshooting scenario.
That's how I begin a no start troubleshooting scenario.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 72
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From: Ladson SC
The backfire could certainly be a broken timing chain, ie an exhaust valve left open and the sound being last residual spark in the cylinder (BANG). It could also be a misfire caused by a bad ignition component, fuel starvation, or any number of things.
Checking for spark will determine two things:
- It will determine if the timing chain is ok because the timing chain spins the optispark via the camshaft. If it doesn't spin then there will be no spark. If there is not spark don't assume the timing chain is broken, check everything else first.
- It will determine the ignition system is firing. It will not completely rule out the ignition as the problem, but it will give reason to go on to the next step of seeing if the engine is not getting fuel. There would be no reason to attempt to run the engine on starting fluid if there’s no spark available to ignite it.
Checking for spark will determine two things:
- It will determine if the timing chain is ok because the timing chain spins the optispark via the camshaft. If it doesn't spin then there will be no spark. If there is not spark don't assume the timing chain is broken, check everything else first.
- It will determine the ignition system is firing. It will not completely rule out the ignition as the problem, but it will give reason to go on to the next step of seeing if the engine is not getting fuel. There would be no reason to attempt to run the engine on starting fluid if there’s no spark available to ignite it.
Last edited by spinktec; May 14, 2006 at 11:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Marlboro NJ
Well, I just tried to start it again praying it would start and this is all a bad dream.....no luck. The car tried to start and kind of did. The car was kind of bouncing at a low RPM. Shaking. It was kind of like it was ready to stall but was trying to stay on. Anyways I am going to have to get it towed to my mechanic b/c I am lost. Oh yeah I check that shreader valve on the fuel rail. It squirted out pretty good at first. I pushed it again and it came out....well like...if you turn on your kitchen faucet alittle bit. Is that normal. I assume so b/c all the pressure was out? So does that eliminate a fuel prob? As far as spark...I cant freakin get the boot off. Nor could anyone else I asked to try. My mechanic will just have to take care of it and I just hope this won't be too costly. I just wish I new what I was doing. I guess I picked the wrong trade for my job. All my buddies have no idea either. This really stinks! 