So I bought an 86 GT off Craig's list. It has about 40k on a rebuilt 2.8l. It's been sitting for about 3 years. I've changed the oil, and the front three spark plugs. ( I forgot how hard the back three are to change, it was hard when I was 17, super hard at 36.) The back 3 must be cross threaded because I can 'tget the socket to slide down on the plug. I did attempt to start it but all it will do is turn over. I'm looking for some trouble shooting help. My first thought is that the fule pump is bad. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

We need a little more history. The car got re-built, then was driven 40k miles....and then it was parked for 3 years? Inside or Outside?

You should be able to turn the key to the on position and hear the fuel pump whine for a couple seconds.
Might as well change the cap and wires, 3 years of non-use is enough time to trash them.

And you will have to deal with those other 3 plugs....make sure there is not junk around them that will fall down the hole when you get them out.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 05-10-2011).]

It was rebuilt and driven for about 40k then parked under a tree for the last three years. When I switch the ignition on I can hear a click but no whine, but it's hard for me to tell because i'm working on it by myself and the original owner hot wired the fan so it will run all the time. His son ran it hot warped the heads, that's the reason for the rebuild, He said he'd rather the fan run all the time than to risk running it hot again.

So first thing to do is troubleshoot the ignition. The ECM/fuel injection uses the the ignition signal to know the engine is turning over and to calculate how much fuel to inject. So if the ignition system isn't working neither will the injectors.

Does the tach raise to about 200 rpm while cranking and then fall back down? If not either you have a bad tach or bad components in the primary ignition system.

Do you have spark at the spark plug end of the ignition wire?

Does the engine fire off if you squirt some starting fluid into the intake?

As mentioned before does the fuel pump run for two seconds when you turn the key to on? You should hear the fuel pump run, and then hear a click of a relay dropping and the fuel pump should start.

If you bump the starter, the fuel pump should come on again for two seconds and then shut off again.

Also, any idea of how to change the back three plugs if they have been cross threaded? I can not get a socket to slip down on the plug.

quote Originally posted by Tinman29550: It was rebuilt and driven for about 40k then parked under a tree for the last three years. When I switch the ignition on I can hear a click but no whine, but it's hard for me to tell because i'm working on it by myself and the original owner hot wired the fan so it will run all the time. His son ran it hot warped the heads, that's the reason for the rebuild, He said he'd rather the fan run all the time than to risk running it hot again.

Unplug the fan for now to listen for the fuel pump. You can plug it back in after you get the engine running but I would recommend after that to get the fan working correctly.

A properly operating cooling system needs a correctly working fan but does not need a hot wired fan.

Thanks for the info, I will try to do what I can this weekend.

oh, I hate to read that 'parked under a tree' part.....Those front plugs are gonna be a real challenge. They are probably not cross threaded, but instead oxidized into a mass metallic mulch....sitting wet for 6 months out of the year. Get them as dry as you can and load up the penetrating oil now, and maybe by the weekend something will move.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 05-10-2011).]

It should at least run with 3 good plugs. You can attack the problem either end first however.

How much old gas is jn the tank? Did you check the fuel pump fuse?

well my turn to tell you what to do LOL take some air and blow out around the front plugs like has been said and get your self a cam of PB blaster and spray the front plugs down it is the best stuff i have ever used on rusted bolts ,nut ,etc and get some starter fluid and take off the air intake hose at the throttle body spray some starter fluid in and see if it fires if it fires then start checking the fuel system i will bet it is the fuel pump good luck

quote Originally posted by Tinman29550: When I switch the ignition on I can hear a click but no whine, but it's hard for me to tell because i'm working on it by myself and the original owner hot wired the fan so it will run all the time.

You should still be able to hear the whine fairly well. The fuel pump is literally positioned down low in the gas tank about right in the middle between the shifter surround and the center console. Even with all the interior intact, you should hear the pump whine when you switch the key to 'on' for right under three seconds. The radiator fan is a "whooooom" sound, and the fuel pump is a "rehheeeee" sound. I'm a bit hard of hearing in one ear, but can still hear mine clear as a whistle when I start it.

My bet too is the fuel pump is likely shot. However, as mentioned prior it's probably best for you to go ahead and tackle what you can on the top side just to get it diagnosed and in good shape before you attempt to drop the tank.

I'm impressed. 9 replies and no smart a$$ answers. I'll be going now.

I guess that means we can double the price we are charging for those answers.

Smart a** answers are discounted at 1/2 price however.

I'm gonna venture to verify it's the fuel pump. Yours sounds exactly like mine. It clicked but no humming noise. I also knew that after sitting since 06', even if I got it running that I needed to replace the fuel pump cause it would fry sooner or later. It turned out to be the fuel pump FOR SURE.


and the end result

But I understand the spark plug issue as well

and the broken plugs. Mine broke just trying to pull the wire off of them


I had to easy out 2 of them.

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86 Fiero 2M4 Silver, and 86 GT