No Startie Vroom Vroom "2"...

[DCaff300ZX]

OK, hoping for a quick response or three before I turn it over to other hands...here we go...
I go to start the NA after it sat a few days after buying my TT in late December, and instead of firing hard and idling up like always it starts weakly and putters, then dies...and any and all future re-start attempts are futile.
The engine seems to have no compression or engine pulse, you can barely hear TDC as you crank the engine.
The exhaust smells very rich with gas fumes.
The car has a LOT of miles on it, but ran well before the current issue.
Test results:
1. Exhaust reeks of flowing fuel, and pulled spark plugs are wet with gas but not fouled- PERFECT gold/tan color and condition, but now wet.
2. PLENTY of power from 880CCA Megatron, all systems go (fuel pump makes it's noise, all lights/chimes/etc. except no check engine light?<found trying easy code pull>)
3. We have spark, proved removing coil and plug and grounding.
4. ECU code pull: 55
5. Pulled timing cover and verified cam gears/TB/crank in alignment with all marks at TDC
6. Ran compression test each cylinder and got very low but consistent readings, 75 PSI

Also to be considered are:
1. The car has the switched injector voltage mod
2. The car has an aftermarket alarm system that is not in use, but still resident and "active" although the remote does not have a battery, and alarm is not used. I noted the system is still active while trying the easy code pull as the unit is wired into the car at that location and has a LED light that blinked while I was in the area.

After spending the day under the advise of one of the BEST Z guys I know of (Cory/Rockchucker), albiet from his house/on the phone while I ran tests, this is the best I have- so I ran this all by my "normal" Z guy...who says bring it by, and I'll get it running for under $200!

WHAT AM I MISSING????

[left shin]

I'm new to Z's but I would advise checking the vacuum lines. Particularly the one's coming form the intake piping to the throttle body. Also check your connections at the ptu for corrosion.

[DCaff300ZX]

OK, problem solved...
Turns out it was vapor lock, as inside the plenum and spark plugs were covered with fuel and as was explained to me, the low-tension rings in the VG can after many miles (mine has 230K...) sag upon starting and if the engine does not fire immediately, lose more and more compression each stroke as the engine cannot clear the fuel and hydrolocks.
I'd heard of this all and even floored the pedal after the car did not fire, but too late apparently and so the problem ensued and caused me a day and a half of cussing and tearing the engine apart testing everything only to find all systems go, if with the ultra-low compression.
The solution was to vice-grip the fuel line and crank until the engine fires, then loosen the clamp and all is well...old school as HELL.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

LOL @ Megatron

Glad you got her fired up

[DCaff300ZX]

Heh, that Megatron is one BADASS animal... ...it sat with the hood unlatched all night before I found it in the AM before all the work, and it didn't miss a beat even without a recharge!
Interstate batteries are top notch... ...and they have a major distributor about a block away from where I live!