Fuel system problem

[jjisguilty]

I was driving home today, and my car started to lag. It felt like the fuel supply was slowly deminishing to my motor. It took about three minutes and then the car shut off when i stopped. I changed my fuel filter because i figured that was the problem ( still the original filter). anyways, the car still didnt start after that so i dont know what the problem is. Fuel pump? Injectors? any ideas?

[wankelTII]

Be more specific about what the car actually did. Did the car just have no power or did it buck and jerk or missfire and run really rough? Backfiring? Weird noises? Wouldnt rev beyond a certain rpm? Did it throw a CEL before dying?Have you checked the plugs (color, carbon buildup, damaged)? Have someone turn the key to on while you sit with your ear near the gas tank, see if you can hear the pump prime the system.

[jjisguilty]

The car just had no power. I'll try those others and get back with answers.

[carbonkid]

Check all fuses and relays, turn your ignition on and listen to hear the fuel pump. Those right there helped me alot of times.

[zenkii]

The car just had no power. I'll try those others and get back with answers.

Be sure it's positivily that your car was low on battery because bad starters cause the car to start whenever it wants to....

[jjisguilty]

The fuel pump is working. the lights and radio are bright. theres no leaking around the filter after i replaced it. Would plugs with oil on them cause the symtoms? I think it might be the injectors. Any other diagnostic techniques? also, the isnt slow to try and start, is just wont turn. Thanks for everything so far

[wankelTII]

ok, so it doesnt turn over either? Is there anything else weird going on?

Is there still a click when you turn the key? If not it could be the starter relay or soleniod. If you have a multimeter first make sure the battery reads 12volts or more with everything off. Also make sure the battery connections are nice and clean and tight.

[jjisguilty]

It does turn over. My b. Anyone know where to get OEM injectors for not so expensive? Or better yet, how much does dealership cost?

[wankelTII]

Is there gas in the tank? Fuel gauge may have stopped working, when did you last fill it?

Make sure you are getting fuel and spark before you go buy something. Timing light is an easy way to see that its firing. Try each plug wire while turning engine over.

[180fan]

most definitely check if there's fuel. Next would be to check if the fuel pressure. If you've fuel pressure, your pump is ok and so is your fpr but your injectors are probably taking a dump on you. pull your spark plugs for a reading on what's going on inside your cylinders as well.

[jjisguilty]

I thought the meter could have actually broken. What is this timing light you speak of? And how do i go about checking it?

[BlackHat]

Seems a little off to me that all 4 injectors would go at the same time.

[jjisguilty]

I might also add that when i first started to lose power as i was driving, it would rev while in gear, but i engaged the clutch and it would rev. Then, about a minute later, i would try to engage the clutch and rev, but it didnt rev this time.

[jjisguilty]

I changed the plugs and nothing happened. It defanitely felt like the fuel was running out when the symptoms started, but i just put some gas and that didnt help either. Any other suggestions?
Modified by jjisguilty at 12:54 PM 2/1/2007

[jjisguilty]

bump

[BlackHat]

I'm a little unclear about your statement that it acts as if it's running out of gas. You mean it start sputtering and then died? Or do you mean like the pressure in the fuel lines went down?

The latter would have been a little more noticable I'm thinking. That would have leaned out your mixture to the point of possibly detonating. I'm not sure how far the stock ECU will retard the spark but it seems a little unlikely that it would run for long if the pressure started dropping.

When you try to start it now it does turn over but doesn't seem to want to run? I don't think your problem is all of the injectors. I don't think I've ever heard of all 4 injectors going at the same time.

Take a minute and recap what's happening. We can't help if we don't know what all is happening.

[jjisguilty]

I wish it was easier to explain. I was driving normally, then acceleration felt really hesitant. I would give it throttle and it would barely clime, regardless of throttle. I depressed the clutch at that point and it reved. Then i kept driving to try and make it home which was a mile away. The rpms were dropping at a slow rate while i was driving with even throttle pressure. So i tried to rev it again with the clutch depressed and it didn't rev this time. The rpms were getting lower and lower even when i downshifted. When i finally stopped in my driveway, the car stalled. I changed the fuel filter first. Then the spark plugs. Then put fuel in. Nothing helped. When i try to start it, it turns the motor but no ignition. My guesses now are fuel pressure problems or distributor/plug wire problems. Maybe even ignition. Thats about the best i can explain it.

[BlackHat]

When you first turn on the ignition switch (not starting the car) do you hear the fuel pump in the back of the car? It should kick on for a couple seconds then go off.

If you can hear it, try turning the ignition on until the fuel pump stops, then turn the ignition off then on again so it comes back on. Do that a couple times then see if it'll start.

Also check the rear of the engine around the fuel rail. Make sure none of the vacuum hoses back there are messed up and the fuel lines are secured good.

Let us know what happens.

[jjisguilty]

nothing happened. I'm gonna get it towed to a shop