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90 Corvette Hesitation and Missing

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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 10:32 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
Ignition wires + plugs are brand new.
Coil and the distributor?
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Way too low. I'll bet that under load it will drop even more. There is only so much increased pulse width can compensate for that. Tape the gauge to the glass and do a WOT run. I'll bet it will drop a lot more than the 45 psi it should be at.

3 things you need. Air (unless you have a blockage somewhere, it should not be a problem. Spark (need a solid blue flame with no heat soak of the coil and other ignition components). Fuel (pressure and pulse width).

Can you have more than 1 problem? Sure. One way to see is to take a good spark plug and ground the threads. Disconnect a wire when it is running and connect it to this plug. Better yet, get a spark tester. You should see a strong blue flame at night.

Fuel. You need to have enough pressure. 45 psi is nice to have. Why is your's so low? Maybe there is an obstruction like a dirty filter, either in the tank sock or the actual fuel filter. Another problem is the fuel pump. Is it getting enough current? Is it weak?
Appreciate the advice. Im sure plenty of air is getting in brand new K&N filter and the throttle body isnt too dirty.

Spark, im not too sure about how to test, can you specify or send me somewhere that has instructions.

Fuel, I'll be putting a new fuel filter in tomorrow and maybe fuel pump if i remove it and it wont respond to 12 volts.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 10:55 PM
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Same problem on my 1990. Leaky injector makes that cylinder too rich to ignite and results in the stumble at low RPM's. At WOT the air/fuel mixture gets more correct and so it will ignite and run perfect. The leaky injectors clogged the hell out of my cats in the process and clogged up my EGR valve so I deleted them. Ford makes a good but cheap injector M-9593-A302 it is a 24lb injector so you need to chip tune afterwards but the are considered very high quality and are match flowed from Ford. If you look it up you'll find alot about them.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
Spark, im not too sure about how to test, can you specify or send me somewhere that has instructions.

Fuel, I'll be putting a new fuel filter in tomorrow and maybe fuel pump if i remove it and it wont respond to 12 volts.
2 options. Get a tool that looks like THIS or take a known good spark plug and ground the threads. I'm sure you can get an idea of how it works from the picture. Pull out one wire and stick the plug into it. Do this when cold. Later on take a drive and when it is hot, repeat test. BOTH times you must see blue flame. If you don't the ignition system is not up to snuff.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...2/ai_n9206860/
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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If you were closer I'd help you out.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by wannabe1
Same problem on my 1990. Leaky injector makes that cylinder too rich to ignite and results in the stumble at low RPM's. At WOT the air/fuel mixture gets more correct and so it will ignite and run perfect. The leaky injectors clogged the hell out of my cats in the process and clogged up my EGR valve so I deleted them. Ford makes a good but cheap injector M-9593-A302 it is a 24lb injector so you need to chip tune afterwards but the are considered very high quality and are match flowed from Ford. If you look it up you'll find alot about them.
I don't think fuel injectors will help him at 30 psi fuel pressure. He has lack of pressure either because of a failing pump or it isn't getting enough power. I think one way is to hook the positive wire to the pump directly and the negative wire to the pump directly. That will eliminate one variable.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:07 PM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by aklim
If you were closer I'd help you out.
I appreciate the help.

Another question, If it was the spark why would the fuel pressure at the rail prior to being cranked be at 30psi?

I guess i'll replace the filter tomorrow, because I haven't heard of it being replaced since we've owned it and go from there. Next step I guess is the fuel pump and check the spark.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
I appreciate the help.

Another question, If it was the spark why would the fuel pressure at the rail prior to being cranked be at 30psi?

I guess i'll replace the filter tomorrow, because I haven't heard of it being replaced since we've owned it and go from there. Next step I guess is the fuel pump and check the spark.
Where are you at? It doesn't show up.

Unless you have a law that states you can only have one problem at a time, I am stating that you MIGHT have more than 1 problem. So, if this doesn't fix it, something else you can look into might. Don't think you can fix one problem and solve all. BTDT. I too had problems like you mentioned. It was BOTH the pump and spark quality. Make sure you have good spark so you can eliminate that. It shouldn't take you more than 5 mins.

http://www.racetronix.com/RX-C44-FPWHG-2.html is something to look at. They run a wire from the alternator to the tank and a separate ground too. This gives them both the voltage and current to make sure that the pump runs like it should. In the MB world, they test the pump by checking amperage draw, FYI. You don't have to get that sophisticated. Run current from the battery to the pump and a separate ground. Check pressure.
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:20 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by aklim
Where are you at? It doesn't show up.

Unless you have a law that states you can only have one problem at a time, I am stating that you MIGHT have more than 1 problem. So, if this doesn't fix it, something else you can look into might. Don't think you can fix one problem and solve all. BTDT. I too had problems like you mentioned. It was BOTH the pump and spark quality. Make sure you have good spark so you can eliminate that. It shouldn't take you more than 5 mins.

http://www.racetronix.com/RX-C44-FPWHG-2.html is something to look at. They run a wire from the alternator to the tank and a separate ground too. This gives them both the voltage and current to make sure that the pump runs like it should. In the MB world, they test the pump by checking amperage draw, FYI. You don't have to get that sophisticated. Run current from the battery to the pump and a separate ground. Check pressure.
I'm in Alabama btw.

Yeah how would I run a wire from the battery to the fuel pump if the pump is in the tank? Is there an easier way to go about it or?
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
I'm in Alabama btw.

Yeah how would I run a wire from the battery to the fuel pump if the pump is in the tank? Is there an easier way to go about it or?
Something else I forgot. Check your fuel pressure regulator. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569662603-post2.html

The pump is in the tank. I wouldn't suggest you go clamping wires to it just like that. http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...7&dept_id=1268 is a good picture. See the "square"? That is the top. There is a plug on that top that is connected to a harness. That is where the fuel pump wires are at. There is also a sender connection. It would be easier if you had a helms manual or a FSM. I have both and if you wanted to, I might be able to scan the page to you
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Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:56 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by aklim
Something else I forgot. Check your fuel pressure regulator. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569662603-post2.html

The pump is in the tank. I wouldn't suggest you go clamping wires to it just like that. http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...7&dept_id=1268 is a good picture. See the "square"? That is the top. There is a plug on that top that is connected to a harness. That is where the fuel pump wires are at. There is also a sender connection. It would be easier if you had a helms manual or a FSM. I have both and if you wanted to, I might be able to scan the page to you
Whenever I start and run the car it has a strong smell of gas. I noticed the guy from FIC stated that in the post you referenced. Maybe it is the injectors? I guess we'll see when we check the fuel filter/pump issue.

Ohhhh I see what it is. So I just connect the leads to those terminals and it should send 12v straight to the fuel pump?

Thanks for all your help man, I really appreciate it. I work at advance auto thats about .5 miles from the house so I can always go check the book there .
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 12:01 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
Whenever I start and run the car it has a strong smell of gas. I noticed the guy from FIC stated that in the post you referenced. Maybe it is the injectors? I guess we'll see when we check the fuel filter/pump issue.

Ohhhh I see what it is. So I just connect the leads to those terminals and it should send 12v straight to the fuel pump?

Thanks for all your help man, I really appreciate it. I work at advance auto thats about .5 miles from the house so I can always go check the book there .
Maybe. Again, it could be your injectors leaking. I can't tell from here. I would think that if you clamped off the return line, the fuel pressure has to either build up or drain somewhere. That somewhere is the injectors into the cylinders. Clamping off the line should force it to build up pressure. If it cannot even do that, your problem is pump related. If it can, it might be the regulator or the injectors leaking.

Yes. Here is the trick. You have to be very careful when doing this. IF your injectors are leaking, you could be sending fuel down and hydrolocking the thing. So, take out the plugs when you are done testing should you suspect that it is the injectors. Crank motor over so it blows the gas out instead of hydrolocking the motor.

The helms manual is a start. Get a set of FSM to be really sure.

Last edited by aklim; Apr 28, 2009 at 12:03 AM.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 12:05 AM
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Going to bed now so if you have any more questions, someone can answer it for you or I will tomorrow.

Another thing is that maybe if you do it I can walk you thru the thing someday.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 12:15 AM
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I appreciate all the help in this thread. This forum is much more pro-active and supportive than many i've been too.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 12:15 AM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by aklim
Maybe. Again, it could be your injectors leaking. I can't tell from here. I would think that if you clamped off the return line, the fuel pressure has to either build up or drain somewhere. That somewhere is the injectors into the cylinders. Clamping off the line should force it to build up pressure. If it cannot even do that, your problem is pump related. If it can, it might be the regulator or the injectors leaking.

Yes. Here is the trick. You have to be very careful when doing this. IF your injectors are leaking, you could be sending fuel down and hydrolocking the thing. So, take out the plugs when you are done testing should you suspect that it is the injectors. Crank motor over so it blows the gas out instead of hydrolocking the motor.

The helms manual is a start. Get a set of FSM to be really sure.
And you're talking about the return line on the fuel pressure gauge? Barely anything is coming out of it.

Also after turning off the car for awhile it takes awhile for the pressure to go back down.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 01:29 AM
  #56  
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It's threads like these that make me happy I went to the dark side.. no offense to the OP, I hope you get your problem solved - it does sound like injectors. But all of this talk of error codes, leaky/fault injectors, bad sensors, etc. erases the guilt of taking off the fuel injection.. damn.

Well anyway, keep us posted. I'd like to know for sure what turns out to be the problem, incase I ever switch back to the faithful EFI.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
And you're talking about the return line on the fuel pressure gauge? Barely anything is coming out of it.

Also after turning off the car for awhile it takes awhile for the pressure to go back down.
Your fuel injectors get a line in and a line out. Look at your injectors and there should be a larger line going in and a smaller line going out.

That makes me thing it is your pump.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Master__Shake_
It's threads like these that make me happy I went to the dark side.. no offense to the OP, I hope you get your problem solved - it does sound like injectors. But all of this talk of error codes, leaky/fault injectors, bad sensors, etc. erases the guilt of taking off the fuel injection.. damn.
When the carburetor can be as dynamic and easy to diagnose to me, I'll switch to it. Problem is the OP seems to be a newbie at it. If given a carburetor, I'd be scratching my head. Actually, I have hardly worked on carburetor other than my ATVs. I had to change jets because I was going to a higher altitude and then back again. I sold the ATVs after a bit of that. Both mine are fuel injected. No issue of changing jets. Turn key and start and ride. Jet Skis? Same. All my other appliances that are not FI, I send out at the first sign of trouble.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Your fuel injectors get a line in and a line out. Look at your injectors and there should be a larger line going in and a smaller line going out.

That makes me thing it is your pump.
Yeah I think it maybe the pump. I'm replacing the filter today and if i need the pump i can always get it. How hard are they to install?
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
Yeah I think it maybe the pump. I'm replacing the filter today and if i need the pump i can always get it. How hard are they to install?
Get the one from Racetronix.

Very easy to get to. Take the fuel lid off and take the rubber thing off, several bolts (9 IIRC) and the pump comes out.
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