Won't start unless intake is blocked

[wanderingturtle]

A friends car, and he needs it to get to work.

It is a 1989 240sx. Won't start unless you block about half the air intake at the air filter, before the AFM. Once itsw started you can unblock it and it will idle. It also doesn't have any power unless half the intake is blocked off.

I am thinking it is a vacuum leak or line wrong. Could it have to do with the air/fuel mix?

[spank044]

It sounds like it is not getting enough fuel. If you block half the intake then it is kinda like a choke. Once it starts, then it has enough momentum to keep running. Try replacing the fuel filter first. If that doesn't work put a pair of pliers on the return fuel line and try to start it. If that makes it start you need a new FPR. If not then it could be fuel pump. Check voltage at pump and if you can check fuel pressure.