After getting fuel while driving engine started chugging and shut off, will not start

Good afternoon,

Okay, you got the correct fuel pressure readings.

If you spray starter fluid in the air filter, does it start and stall?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Can you check for spark at a spark plug?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Roy

No, it just turns over, will not start.

Okay, did you check for spark as I suggested?

Roy

Yes it has spark.

If you have spark, you need fuel and compression.

Can you check compression in one cylinder on each side?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Roy

Definitely has compression! I am leaning towards fuel issue, but the filter and pump are new.

Okay, what is the exact compression?

If it is a fuel delivery issue, it should start and stall by spraying starter fluid in the air filter.

Can you hear the pump run with the key on?

Roy

Yes, it runs for around 7 seconds, when I spray starting fluid into the intake it doesn’t do anything but turn over. Like I said before I was driving at around 50 mph and it started chugging like I was out of gas. Then nothing. It has spark because I stuck a screw driver on the distributor contact and turned the key and it shocked the heck out of me.

Okay, did you check the compression as I asked?

It should have started and stalled with fuel in the air filter.

Either you do not have spark at the pugs or you may have a bad timing chain.

Roy

My brother checked the compression and said it was good, he knows a lot about that stuff. So the timing chain would make it act like it was running out of fuel?

If the chain failed, yes.

Can you double check the fuel pressure again?

Roy

Yes, 61 this time.

None of this makes sense.

You have spark, you have fuel pressure, I still do not know the compression. Good is not a number. Good to the tester may not be good at all.

You have no codes. This engine should run.

Roy

My brother said that all 6 cylinders were at 180-190. I know it doesn’t make sense and I’m afraid that I’ll keep replacing parts that are not bad.

You said timing because the starting fluid doesn’t work. Could it possibly be the spider injector? I was told that the poppers are known for sticking, but that wouldn’t explain why the starting fluid has no effect.

Hi,

Roy, I hope you don't mind if I jump in to help.

David, everything he said makes sense. However, I am confused. Above, you indicated it started for about 7 seconds when you use starting fluid and in your last post, you indicate that starting fluid doesn't work. Can you confirm?

As far as timing, if it is the chain, compression wouldn't be high. If it doesn't start with starting fluid, then there is no ignition spark (where on the distributor did you check?), If it does start with starting fluid and then stall, it's fuel related and even though you have the correct pump pressure, the injection system may not be getting a signal to inject fuel, and so on.

Also, have you checked for diagnostic trouble codes? If there is a problem with the injector system, it could be a few different issues. Keep in mind that even the oil pressure switch on this vehicle can shut the engine down (injection) if oil pressure is too low.

Let us know.

Joe

I meant the fuel pump runs for 7 seconds or so when I turn the key on. The compression test was done by my brother so I’m not positive on that. When I sprayed starting fluid into the intake there was no difference, it just turns over. I did that 2 times. I put a screw driver to the contact on the distributor cap and it shocked me when I turn the engine over. The van was fine one second and then puttered out and I’m lost. Thank you guys for your patience.

Which contact was it? If you remove a spark plug and ground it, does it get spark when the engine is cranked? I'm asking because we simply need three things, spark, compression, and fuel. If all three are present, the engine doesn't have a choice but to run.

There are 3 contact on the left side of the distributor and I put the screw driver in the closest contact to the driver seat. #5.

Okay, that is where one of the plug wires goes, so you got spark. By any chance could the plug wires been reinstalled incorrectly for firing order purposes?

I attached a pic of where the spark plug wire order per cylinder. Please confirm.

The wires are in the correct places. When I replaced the distributor cap I removed and replaced one wire at a time so I wouldn’t get them confused.

Is there any backfire or putter from the engine when you used starting fluid? I have to be honest, there should have been.

Is it possible for you to record the engine cranking so we can hear it? In most cases, I can tell if there is a timing issue.

Thanks,
Joe

No puttering, the starting fluid made no difference. I can record it in the morning, but it sounds normal to my untrained ear. I’ll send it ASAP tomorrow morning. Thanks again

We will watch for the video. Also, I need you to pull a couple spark plugs after you try starting it to see if they are dry or wet. We'll get this figured out.

Joe

Okay, here’s the video. We sprayed starting fluid directly into the intake and it just turns over still. Exactly like in the video.

The spark plugs are extremely hard to get to but the number 6 is not soaked but wet.

Okay, this all started with the fuel pump. You had next to know pressure.

Did you double check you installation to be sure nothing, in particular, wiring, got pinched with the installation?

This sounds like a fuel delivery issue. Are there any codes set in the ECM?

Roy

I just found out how to check the codes with out a computer, but just FYI I pushed the pressure valve while the engine wash turning over and it sprayed fuel out like a super soaker. So I know for sure the fuel pump is working.

I’m going to try to pull the codes now.

You need a code reader to pull the codes.

I know you said it had 61 pounds.

When you checked spark, did you check at the spark plug? I am wondering if you have a burnt rotor where the spark can get into the cap but not out to the plugs.

Roy

I replaced the rotor with the distributor. Is it possible to install the rotor incorrectly?

If you did, it would backfire.

Did you check for spark at the plug wire at the spark plug?

Any luck on any codes? I think we are getting close to an ECM failure.

Roy

Okay sorry I broke my phone, but I have no spark at the spark plug. And every 5 seconds of the engine turning over it sparks the tiniest little spark on plug wire #6. And it’s not a blue spark, it’s more like orange or yellow. But the spark is significantly smaller than say the one on my lawnmower and the spark on my lawnmower is blue. Any ideas?

This sounds like the ignition coil is not putting out too much spark.

How old is the coil?

I attached pictures of the replacement.

Roy

The coil is original so about 20 years.

That would be a good start. I would replace it and see if it is a brighter spark.


Roy

I will replace it tomorrow and I will let you know what happens. Thank you for your time and patience.

You are welcome.

We are always glad to help.

Roy