C5 Forced Induction/Nitrous C5 Corvette Turbochargers, Superchargers, Centrifugal, Twin Screw & Roots Blowers, Twin Turbo Kits, Intercoolers, Wet & Dry Nitrous Injection, Meth
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fuel system will not prime?????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 01:58 PM
  #21  
Tony @ MPH's Avatar
Tony @ MPH
Supporting Vendor
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Default

Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
I thought of trying this (with disconnecting the return line) I am just waiting to get the line tool off my buddy...
You can get that tool for about $5 at just about any auto store

When i started this post - the car was not holding pressure at all during the priming process - Now the car is, but inconsistantly, so i have to think there is still a checkvalve of some sort in the system... But why it is inconsistant??? I dont know......
If you're not holding pressure AFTER the priming process, that's one thing... but it shouldn't fall to zero very quickly (i.e., it should be at the shortest a matter of minutes, although I would expect on your setup for pressure to be held at least over night).

If you're not holding pressure DURING the priming process, either your pump is not pushing fuel or your regulator is letting it go right back to the fuel tank. The check valve, while important, should not do much for you during priming (based on my experience of running around for a few months without a check valve).
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 02:10 PM
  #22  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

This has been my thinking and my buddies also...

We are thinking pump issues or maybe a bad regulator - but the only thing that changed was the pump - everything was working peachy before that.

$5 is $5 Since there is now 3" of snow on the ground with like 5 more on the way tonight - i am in no rush to get the tool, but will have it in hand shortly.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 02:55 PM
  #23  
Tony @ MPH's Avatar
Tony @ MPH
Supporting Vendor
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Default

C'mon man! It's only 5 inches! I wanna know what's going on here, maybe even more than you do!
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 03:31 PM
  #24  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

I am being told there is NO checkvalve in the newer cars because the regulator is in the filter (which i think i heard before on here), but.... The car held pressure fine before i changed the pump - and now since it is inconsistant, i am skeptical at that being the case.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 03:39 PM
  #25  
IM QUIKR's Avatar
IM QUIKR
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Default

Don't take this the wrong way but...When I installed the Racetronix I found it confusing when wiring the new pump. The polarity is reversed so the ground wire becomes the hot wire and visa versa. Did you use A&A's instructions for the install? Because it is clearly outlined there. The pump may pump, but poorly if wired wrong. It's just a suggestion.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 05:05 PM
  #26  
QuickSilver2002's Avatar
QuickSilver2002
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 2
From: Tx
Default

Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
I am being told there is NO checkvalve in the newer cars because the regulator is in the filter (which i think i heard before on here), but.... The car held pressure fine before i changed the pump - and now since it is inconsistant, i am skeptical at that being the case.
I'm pretty sure there is a check valve (97-03). It is somewhere in the flexible pressure line that comes out of the sender and eventually hooks up to the hard line. There is a T in that line that routes off to a jet pump in the right tank and I think the check valve is in that T.

If there is not a check valve, the pump must just naturally hold presure. I have a 2002 car and swapped to the 97 rails and return line. I also put in a 97 filter. Pressure drops to 40psi as soon as the pump turns off, but seems to bleed down very slowly from there (it would take hours to drop to 0). It behaves just like it did when I had the '02 rail and filter on.

Pulling off the return line and seeing if any fuel is going back to the tank seems like the next logical troubleshooting step.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:09 PM
  #27  
Tony @ MPH's Avatar
Tony @ MPH
Supporting Vendor
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Default

FWIW, everything I have ever heard indicates that there is a check valve on late model fuel systems. My car is an '02 and when my fuel system was redone at Norris Motorsports, Mike explicitly told me that there is no longer a check valve in my system because all that gear was replaced.

I came back later on and added an Aeromotive check valve immediately before or after my fuel filter (I don't remember which).
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 08:05 PM
  #28  
MelloYellow's Avatar
MelloYellow
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Default

Maybe the Racetronix/Walbro pump has an internal check valve whereas the Stock Pump has none?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 08:10 AM
  #29  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

Racetronix Explicitly explained to me that there is NO check valve in the pump.....

I asked him to send me the PDF for the 99-03 fuel system to see if the feed line from the tank to the filter is the same, which would indeed include the checkvalve. (still waiting on this)

I did pick up the tool last night, and i went out, hooked the constant up and the car read 0 - did 1 prime and murphy's law of course, car primed to 56-8 psi and dropped to 40ish once the pump shut off... Maybe if my check valve was sticking.... as it is not holding more time then not.

I am still going to pull the return line and see how it primes with that disconected (into a bucket of course) It should still hold the 40psi with the regulator in place. I am sure it wil bleed off some, but that is to be expected.

The replacment pump was pre-wired, all i had to do was plug in my fuel level sensor and it was done, so there is no chance i wired it wrong. (but i sill use a&a's instructions for reference) I could do this swap in my sleep at this point.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 09:39 AM
  #30  
Busa196's Avatar
Busa196
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood, Tx
Default

Originally Posted by IM QUIKR
Don't take this the wrong way but...When I installed the Racetronix I found it confusing when wiring the new pump. The polarity is reversed so the ground wire becomes the hot wire and visa versa. Did you use A&A's instructions for the install? Because it is clearly outlined there. The pump may pump, but poorly if wired wrong. It's just a suggestion.
I didn't know that this was possible- I thought if it were wired incorrectly, the pump simply wouldn't work. So, it is possible to wire the pump wrong and for it still to work?
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2005 | 03:24 PM
  #31  
Racetronix's Avatar
Racetronix
Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 31
From: A dealer near you.
Default

The pump would not produce much pressure if it was wired in reverse. The C5 systems come with the pump pre-wired from Racetronix.

According to G.M.'s tech site your 2000 C5 does have a checkvalve built into the plastic feedline coming off the module.

The G.M. part number and description for the feedline on your 2000 C5 is different from the 1997-1998 C5's. The 97-98 part lists the feedline as having a checkvalve and the 2000 does not.

Conflicting information from G.M.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:51 AM
  #32  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

For the past few days the car has been priming and holding pressure with no issues..

One thing that is worrying me... I initially thought i had something wrong with my FP gauge because it was not sweeping like it usually does (and now does) but i am thinking that the gauge was actually fine, but maybe the pump that was not building any pressure during the priming process... the gauge would just rest at 0 during this process and would not move... Unlike when it primes properly, the pressure will jump to 60 and immediatly drop to 45-ish and slowly drop from there... So i agree that it is impossible for the pump to prime the system and the pressure drop to 0 in a matter of a 1/2 second.....

I am going to knock on wood for now and hope it was a glitch with the new pump break in - but i dont really get the warm and fuzzy feeling from it.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:07 AM
  #33  
ICULUKN-C5's Avatar
ICULUKN-C5
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by Busa196
I didn't know that this was possible- I thought if it were wired incorrectly, the pump simply wouldn't work. So, it is possible to wire the pump wrong and for it still to work?
It will work.. just not well. I would check to wiring just to eliminate that possibliity.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:53 PM
  #34  
Racetronix's Avatar
Racetronix
Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 31
From: A dealer near you.
Default

Originally Posted by ICULUKN-C5
It will work.. just not well. I would check to wiring just to eliminate that possibliity.
No, if it is wired in reverse it will not build pressure.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:54 PM
  #35  
Racetronix's Avatar
Racetronix
Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 31
From: A dealer near you.
Default

Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
For the past few days the car has been priming and holding pressure with no issues..

One thing that is worrying me... I initially thought i had something wrong with my FP gauge because it was not sweeping like it usually does (and now does) but i am thinking that the gauge was actually fine, but maybe the pump that was not building any pressure during the priming process... the gauge would just rest at 0 during this process and would not move... Unlike when it primes properly, the pressure will jump to 60 and immediatly drop to 45-ish and slowly drop from there... So i agree that it is impossible for the pump to prime the system and the pressure drop to 0 in a matter of a 1/2 second.....

I am going to knock on wood for now and hope it was a glitch with the new pump break in - but i dont really get the warm and fuzzy feeling from it.
The pump does not have a checkvalve in it so it can not hold pressure. A system checkvalve or regulator is the problem.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2005 | 08:57 AM
  #36  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

I understand what you are saying... What i am thinking about is that when the car is supposed to be priming - the pump should push 60-ish psi to the rail regardless if there is a checkvalve in place or regulator.... and this should be reflected on the FP Gauge, when the pump shut's off, you should see the pressure fall on the gauge..

What i am saying is - from what i recall, the gauge never budged, stayed at 0 during the priming process, which leads me to beleive the pump was actually not priming the system at all... And the car would not start in this condition - just crank for a while until the pump actually pressurized the rail.

Granted, it seems to be working now, but nothing has changed...
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2005 | 10:23 AM
  #37  
Racetronix's Avatar
Racetronix
Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 31
From: A dealer near you.
Default

Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
I understand what you are saying... What i am thinking about is that when the car is supposed to be priming - the pump should push 60-ish psi to the rail regardless if there is a checkvalve in place or regulator.... and this should be reflected on the FP Gauge, when the pump shut's off, you should see the pressure fall on the gauge..

What i am saying is - from what i recall, the gauge never budged, stayed at 0 during the priming process, which leads me to beleive the pump was actually not priming the system at all... And the car would not start in this condition - just crank for a while until the pump actually pressurized the rail.

Granted, it seems to be working now, but nothing has changed...
If the fuel drains back and the pump loses its prime then it will take time to regain its prime. The cycle time of the PCM is not enough. What does not make sense is if the pump is submersed in the bucket then how is this possible? There must be something wrong with the seal on your system allowing air is getting into the lines.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2005 | 10:29 AM
  #38  
SmoothFRC's Avatar
SmoothFRC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Default

I can only assume that if air is getting into the lines, that i would have quite a fuel leak on my hands...

And like i said - the system seems to be working fine now - and i have not touched anything besides playing with the gauge to have it on constant power to see how the pressure is acting during the powerup sequence.

I agree, it is a wierd one - It is not like this is the first time i am changing the pump in this car, it is straight forward and there are no leaks.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2005 | 10:53 PM
  #39  
Racetronix's Avatar
Racetronix
Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 31
From: A dealer near you.
Default

Originally Posted by SmoothFRC
I can only assume that if air is getting into the lines, that i would have quite a fuel leak on my hands...

And like i said - the system seems to be working fine now - and i have not touched anything besides playing with the gauge to have it on constant power to see how the pressure is acting during the powerup sequence.

I agree, it is a wierd one - It is not like this is the first time i am changing the pump in this car, it is straight forward and there are no leaks.
Sometimes a push-lock connector will seal when pressure is applied but when the pressure is removed it will relax and allow air to enter the system. This could be because the o-ring was not initially seated properly. Hopefully your fuel system will be problem free now.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:37 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE