Won't stay started

[BK75]

There are a hundred no start threads but none that I read look like mine.  So here is a new one, help needed.

Car ran decent a month ago before the engine swap.

Ok, so 1.6GTD  import just installed so hasn't been running in awhile I'm sure.
It will catch and run for approx. 10-20 sec. but all on its own, meaning that the throttle lever has no effect on the rpms.
If I take a brake bleeder and fill the pump it will run longer, maybe a minute or so but not long and again the throttle
makes no difference, it's as if the throttle isn't there.  It just runs surges a little and then sputters to a stop.

I filled the fuel filter with ATF (I can see it better in the fuel line) and it doesn't appear to be drawing any fuel.   It will be
running 10~30 seconds and the coulmn of fuel remains in the line, it doesn't seem to be  pulling fuel  through the line.  I thought there might be a vacuum/blockage problem so I took the fuel line off the filter and put it into a quart of ATF and
it still doesn't appear to draw fuel.

I've got nothing more to try except to check the timing but I have never checked timing before.  Before I have always
set the pump at the notch and it started  just fine and then adjusted the timming by ear.  I guess since I haven't had
any timing problems I don't know what mis-timing causes.  It is currently set at the notch on the mount. 


Any suggestions?

[toywagen]

You can toubleshoot the vane pump that feeds the high-pressure portion. Vanes may be stuck and not extending. Or you could plumb in a $25 lift pump from NAPA. I'd run some cleaner through the pump and let it sit for a while. Check your return for restrictions.

[BK75]

You can toubleshoot the vane pump that feeds the high-pressure portion. Vanes may be stuck and not extending. Or you could plumb in a $25 lift pump from NAPA. I'd run some cleaner through the pump and let it sit for a while. Check your return for restrictions.

Are you meaning run an electric pump from the tank as a lift pump?

Sounds like the vanes of the vane pump are stuck.  Usually a full pump disassembly is required to fix it.

Does the throttle issue I have support this?  or is it only the lack of sustained running?

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Take your brake bleeder and prime the Inj Pump full of the ATF from the ATF container.

Let that sit/soak for about 24-48 hours in the pump.

During that same time while the ATF is soaking - remove the wire from the fuel solenoid - and crank the engine over a bit - about every 3-4 hours or so.

Don't forget to hook the wire back before you go to start the engine again after the ATF soak is complete.

When you do get ready to restart the engine - put both your supply and return lines into the ATF and run it off pure ATF. About a quart or a litre worth.

This proceedure has worked for a couple guys on Vtex who had your same symptom. But not saying it will always work on that.
But its certainly worth trying.

[BK75]

^^^^Awesome!

I was hoping there may be something to try before haveing to replace the pump.
I will attempt it and post up the results.

Thankx

[toywagen]

Not to deviate from the topic too much but that's a very interesting point about a lift pump changing dynamic advance. I wonder if that's the cause of my mediocre mileage. How does this idea fit with a factory lift pump? eg: 12 valve jerk pump Cummins and the later setup, VE with electric lift pump.

[BK75]

Let that sit/soak for about 24-48 hours in the pump.

During that same time while the ATF is soaking - remove the wire from the fuel solenoid - and crank the engine over a bit - about every 3-4 hours or so.

It doesn't seem to be working, I will give it more time but it's not looking hopefull.

Is this repair something simple?   Someone posted a link to cutaway views of the pump but I can't
find it.   If it is just taking the end plate off the front of the pump and cleaning the vanes that should
be easy enough and not require a full rebuild? 

[burn_your_money]

The vane pump is the very last thing to come out of the pump so you are looking at a full rebuild.

Try running it with a lift pump to see if the centrifical force will free the vanes up. The risk is that you could be damaging the rest of your pump if pieces are rusted together.

[Rabbit on Roids]

so from my understanding, there is 2 pumps in a fuel pump, the vane pump, and the pump head. how can an engine even run if the vane pump is stuck and wont pump fuel? maybe just one or 2 of the vanes are stuck? and how would the advance and everything else work in the pump with the vane pump tits up?

[rabbitman]

so from my understanding, there is 2 pumps in a fuel pump, the vane pump, and the pump head. how can an engine even run if the vane pump is stuck and wont pump fuel? maybe just one or 2 of the vanes are stuck? and how would the advance and everything else work in the pump with the vane pump tits up?

The advance won't work at all without a working vane pump.

I ran out of fuel once, it kinda just lost power and wouldn't hold speed, after it stopped it still idled just slow and shaky. I blamed the loss of power on the loss of advance. I think they'll run (sort of) without the lift pump but only untill the pump body emptys too much.

[Rabbit on Roids]

thats what i thought.