Fuel pump? (Page 1/3)
Habanera Hal MAR 09, 08:56 PM
Well, my Formula let me down for the first time today. I opened it up WOT on a short stretch of country road coming home. When I backed off, the motor (stock 2.8) started stumbling. It felt like it was running out of gas.(tank is 3/4 full) I was able to nurse it almost home when it died completely. It wants to turn over, but just doesn't fire. The tow truck driver (oh, the horror!) thought it was probably the fuel pump, though you can hear it clicking on and off. I'm wondering if the action of the WOT may have possibly sucked some debris from the bottom of the tank, clogging the pump? We parked it on a front-down angle in my driveway, and I'll try starting it tomorrow. Since moving, I'm woefully short on tools, no floor jack, ramps, or jack stands. Plus my HOA does not allow mechanical work to be done in driveways.

Any suggestions to diagnose the problem before I wind up having it towed again to a mechanic?
Gall757 MAR 09, 10:07 PM
Advice from a tow truck driver?...really?
Let us know if you know how to check the ignition, or if you already have done that.
viperine MAR 09, 11:39 PM
Coil could have gotten hot on your WOT run. Car will probably start up and run as normal until you get the coil nice and hot again. Fuel pumps tend to just die out of the blue and not show signs of slow failure from what I have seen and read.
Patrick MAR 10, 12:53 AM
If your engine starts again when it's cold, I'd suspect the ICM.

Easiest thing to do to see if you have any fuel pressure (if that's what you suspect) is to depress the Schrader valve in the fuel rail and see if gas at least squirts out.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-11-2019).]

Habanera Hal MAR 10, 11:07 AM
Went out and tried to start it this morning. No go. The fuel pump DEFINITELY sounded different - like it was running dry. When I turned the key, it tried to fire for a millisecond, then nothing.
Gall757 MAR 10, 12:10 PM
A shot of starting fluid in the throttle body would confirm your diagnosis, or test that Schrader valve on the fuel rail. Key on....press the center pin and fuel should squirt out 2 or 3 feet. Have some towels handy and wear eye protection.
Habanera Hal MAR 10, 07:56 PM
Yep, a shot of starting fluid through the air filter canister got it to fire briefly but roughly. Pardon my ignorance, but where is this Schrader valve of which you speak? A photo with a pointer would be a great help.
Gall757 MAR 10, 08:15 PM
looks like a bicycle tire valve, but with a nicer metal cap.
Habanera Hal MAR 10, 08:18 PM
Thanks! Will check it out tomorrow.
Fiero2m4Fastback MAR 11, 02:39 AM

quote
Originally posted by Gall757:

Advice from a tow truck driver?...really?



They see broken cars all day long including the occasional Fiero. Based on the symptoms, even if he's wrong it was still good advice and checking fuel pressure and maybe replacing the filter is good practice.