Never needed everyone's help this much...

[J30Guy612]

1993 J30, 144,000 miles.

Previous to today, the car was sitting for about a year, and was started about once a week, no problems before I let the car sit, car was running fine.

Just put the car back on the road yesterday, and it was running fine all day yesterday, and this morning on my way to work.

I was at work, and on my lunch break I decided to take the car for a wash.

Ok so the car is running fine and I pull up to the car wash. It was freezing out, so I leave the heat on full blast, and start washing the car. When I return the car is not running.

I go to start up the car, and it fires right up, jumps to 1000RPM for one second, then dies So now I'm really worried (still in the car wash bay).

I try again, and again, same thing. Fires right up first shot, then dies.

I start it up and keep my foot on the gas, and it takes more pressure on the accelerator to get it higher in the RPM range, but it does wind up all the way to 6K, no problem, running a little rough though.

I was hoping I could bring the car up in the RPM range, and clear out whatever the problem was. No luck. The car continues to start and die unless my foot is on the gas pedal.

I get it out of the car wash bay, and park it on the side of the road. Try bringing the RPMs up in Park and Neutral, letting it sit for a while, etc. The car starts to idle if I bring the RPMs down VERY slowly, and it's idling around 2-300RPM (barely running).

My first thought is the idle isn't high enough for whatever reason, so I get the manual, and adjust the idle control screw. No luck, no change either way, still just running really rough, barely, at 2-300RPM.

I limped the car home by keeping it in 1st/2nd gears so the RPMs won't fall to sharp when I am slowing down.

My friend tells me there is some black smoke coming out of the exhuast pipe, and I am not sure if this could be because I played with the Idle Control Screw. I don't think so, because this only effects the idle, right?

I am thinking the worst, something engine related...

What could this possible be? I have never had ANY problems with my J30 until now, this car has been great.

I will be checking this post all night and all day tomorrow. The car is outside, I am willing to try anything or provide any information you need to help me.

SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, IF YOUR STILL READING THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[Bwana]

Maybe a fuel system issue? Have you checked all the fluids to verify that everything is fine (oil, coolant etc)? Next I'd check the compression. If all that checks out then I'd probably check the fuel pressure. Could you hear any buzzing from the rear of the car before this occurred? None of that is going to be much fun out in the cold, sry...

[J30Guy612]

Actually I have heard a "whirring" sound yesterday and today, and also before I parked the car for the year. It wasn't too loud or anything, but definately wasn't always there.

I thought about the fuel pressure being a fator. The only thing I don't understand is why the car would be able to maintain high RPMs when the gas pedal is pressed, but can't maintain the idle?

Also, the black smoke from the tailpipe is usually a sign of running rich right?

I'm not trying to discredit your idea, just trying to eliminate some questions in my head

Please let me know if there is anyway I can check this out and see if it might be the fuel pump.

By "checking the fluids" do you mean the levels, or to check if the oil smells like coolant, etc?

Thanks very much for the quick response!
Modified by J30Guy612 at 7:18 PM 2/3/2007

[Bwana]

By "checking the fluids" do you mean the levels, or to check if the oil smells like coolant, etc?

Just check the levels, and the condition. If something is seriously wrong it'll be easily noticeable.

You can check the fuel pressure using a "T" fitting with hose barbs on 2 ends, and a gauge on the other, and a short piece of fuel line. Disconnect the fuel line between the fuel filter and the fuel rail from the fuel rail end. Take that loose end and insert one end of you gauge t into it. Now take the short section of hose and connect the t to the fuel rail. You don't have to start the car, just turn the key to the "on" position, you should hear the fuel pump run. Check the gauge. It should read somewhere around 40 psi and hold that pressure for awhile. If you start the engine it should stay around 36psi at idle I believe.

[Bwana]

Here's a pic from the CA forum. It's basically the same for your car.

[J30Guy612]

Thanks so much for the information!

OK, I have an "Advance Auto Parts" store down the street. Currently the only place I can pickup what I need to make this fuel pressure gauge.

I will check out the fuel line, and I can probably locate the correct T fitting, clamps, and fuel line, that's not a problem at all.

However, what type of gauge do I need? I am going to ask the employees at the store, but 9/10 times they aren't much help.

Is it called a "fuel pressure gauge" or is it used for something else?

That picture is great, looks very similiar to my car's setup. I see the brass T that person used. Is that gauge attached onto that fitting, does it screw on, etc?

Thanks so much again, I am going to do this first thing tomorrow morning and then I can take it from there.
Modified by J30Guy612 at 7:27 PM 2/3/2007

[Bwana]

You can pretty much get away with any cheap little gauge for testing like this. I think the one I use is actually an air pressure gauge. If you were going to leave it on there permanently then you'd want one that was made for fuel, but it shouldn't be a problem. I got mine at Home Depot iirc. Most of them are 1/8" pipe thread, so take that into consideration when looking for a t. I got the t and the barb fittings at Ace hardware. Good luck man!

[J30Guy612]

Found a pretty handy diagram, hopefully I can find everything I need at Home Depot. Just thought it might help someone else sometime:



Is that basically the setup your using?

[Bwana]

Yep, basically the same thing. Should work just fine!

[J30Guy612]

Hey man, went to the local Ace Hardware up here in Boston, and that place was a joke. The stores are independent, and probably vary a lot. I've been in quite a few, this one was by far the worst. Barely had anything there that I needed, not even one piece.

Anyway, I am going to check out a plumbing supply store tomorrow and I can hopefully find the fittings there.

Anyway to make the same thing, with more commonly available items? The stuff on that diagram seems a bit hard to find. Any input?

Also, the pressure gauge: Went to Autozone, all I could find was Air Pressure guages for the tires. Will this work, because it has that thing in the end of it, to push down the piece of metal in the stem of a tire so it releases air.

Know exactly what your gauge was sold for?

Thanks again for all your help!!!