02 Century, fuel supply issue, need ideas/help

[MrTroy03]

Hello!

I need some help with troubleshooting my 2002 Buick Century (3.1). I am no mechanic but have learned a bit over the past few years due to YouTube tutorials etc. Here is what has happened and what I have done and observed up to this point:

While driving on the interstate, my car died. I was able to get on the shoulder. It started a few times, but it was a lot of cranking. I couldn't get up to speed and it died again. Probably a half hour before that my gas gauge went crazy and went from full to empty to full a few times.

After speaking with my shade tree mechanic father he said to try some starter fluid, if it ran for a short time and died it was likely the fuel pump, if not, it could be something like the ignition control module. I sprayed starter fluid directly into the bore and I couldn't get it started.

1. My dad got a new coil pack set/ignition control module. We installed it. It still wouldn't start (turn over but not start). But now spraying starter fluid in the bore caused it to start for a few seconds and die of course. Perhaps I didn't do the starter fluid right the first time, but I did the same thing he did.
2. He figured it was the fuel pump. I then replaced the fuel pump with a new one off of Amazon that was rated 4.5 stars by around 80 people. It had a new plug type but the color on the new plug matches the OEM wires, so it was a simple matter to splice them together into those sleeve things and crimp it together. Still won't start.
3. We put some gas in a bucket and placed the new pump down in and plugged it in and cranked it over. The fuel only shot about 3 inches tops. He figured it was a lemon. I confirmed with a multi meter that we were getting 12 volts on the large gray line, which I think is supposed to be the line for the pump.
4. I got a "DOA swap" from Amazon for another fuel pump. The second new pump shoots fuel about 2 feet or a bit more during the prime when the key is on.
5. I installed it all the way, still won't start.
6. I figure maybe the fuel filter is clogged. I order a new filter and the plastic fuel line removal tool (not needed for filter). Upon install still no start after several attempts at cranking. The old filter definitely seemed pretty clogged. Put water in on the inlet side and nothing came out the other side.
7. I take the new filter off which was full of gas now. Also when I turn over the engine gas shoots out of the hose that plugs INTO the filter out onto the ground.
8. I disconnected the "top" line under the hood and hook up my air compressor. I blow air IN where the fuel filter would push gas in under the car. Up top a good amount of air comes through. So I think I've identified the line that fuel should be getting TO the engine on. I also blew the other direction just in case any loose debris was in there.
9. I hooked the new filter back in and placed the unhooked line up on the engine side in a bucket and started cranking over. I did this many times. NOTHING came out. (Yes I know this is a stupid way to test, as gas is very volatile).

This is where I am now. I know air leaks can kill gas delivery, SHOULD gas have come out at the top of the line into the bucket when I was cranking over? Even if the line was only partially clogged I would think that SOME gas would have come out? I didn't see an gas leaking out along the line on the ground. Could the line be cracked somewhere letting AIR in? Would it be trying to suck in air and therefore not allowing the gas to be pushed up the line and out? I just don't know HOW it should work to proceed from here.

I was going to replace the fuel pressure regulator but I don't think I am getting any gas to the engine at all or the pressure regulator. What can I do next? What am I missing? Should gas come out of the line up front when I have it unhooked? Could I still have a pump problem?

Any help for this noob is appreciated.

 

[ryenie]

Have you disconnected both fuel lines from the fuel rail, and checked to see if you're getting gas upto that point? One is the return and one is the feed, if you disconnected the return fuel line no fuel will come from it when you turn the key. When replacing the pump air enters the system, it can take a minute to remove the existing air in the line and for the fuel to get back up front to the engine. With both lines disconnected you should be able to get fuel to the front, if not than I would suspect a clogged or cracked fuel line, if no gas is leaking i would think clogged, if you do get gas then i would think the pressure regulator is keeping you from getting fuel to the fuel injectors.