Jump to content
HybridZ

Won't start after fuel rail upgrade


Recommended Posts

Alright guys, I have a 1976 280z with a l28. Mostly stock other than a stage 1 cam. Ran just fine before I messed with the fuel system. I went with the pallnet fuel rail, Toyota cressida injectors, new injector clips, and deleted most of the vaccum lines. I rewired the injector clips, solder and heatshrink tubing. Installed the fuel rail and injectors. The fuel rail is getting pressure, the guage reads about 35psi. I'm getting spark, replaced plugs and took one out and connected to wire while cranking and sparked fine. Won't even try to start, even with starting fluid sprayed in the intake I don't even get a hiccup. On another note my positive cable gets hot when cranking? I'm guessing just because it's using so many amps. Please someone help!

post-52798-0-45070700-1466137220_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

deleted most of the vaccum lines. 

 

. I rewired the injector clips, solder and heatshrink tubing.

 

. I'm getting spark, replaced plugs and took one out and connected to wire while cranking and sparked fine.

 

Won't even try to start, even with starting fluid sprayed in the intake I don't even get a hiccup

Could be you shorted an injector ground and are flooding.  Check the plugs for fuel.  Are you spraying the starting fluid in to an intake port or somewhere else like at the end of the plastic snorkel?  Best to remove a hose and squirt directly in to the manifold.  If you're getting spark, the timing is right, and the cylinders are dry, it should start.

 

Odds are high though that you left a big vacuum leak when you removed those "vacuum lines" whatever they are.  Why would you do that, they serve a purpose?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just took a second look at your picture and see that the PCV hoses are gone.  There's your problem.  Put the PCV system back together.  Google "280Z PCV vacuum leak".  Read the Emissions chapter.  It's all there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unintended consequences.  You can either put the system back together or block it completely.  It actually keeps your oil cleaner, and your engine bay.  Removing parts that aren't understood is a common problem source.

post-8864-0-64291200-1466185418_thumb.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, that's a bummer.  Fuel pressure should be 36 psi but you should still get a pop or two.  It should start.  Are the spark plugs wet or dry after a no-start attempt?

 

Did you try the starting fluid directly in to the manifold?  Pop the little hose that supplies the AC control bottle and squirt some in there.  The hose next to the booster hose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How do you know the injectors were firing?  That's the part you just worked on so the most suspect.  If they were squirting and you have dry plugs, there's a logic issue.  You can see the disconnect there.

 

Is the spark strong and bluish or weak and orangish?  Sometimes you can get spark in open air but none under cylinder pressure.  The old 280Z ignition modules are failing at a pretty regular rate.

 

If random actions fail you could start at the basic troubleshooting steps described in the FSM and the Fuel Injection Guide.  The 980 Guide covers all years up to 1980.  http://www.xenonzcar.com/s130/other.php

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I took fuel rail off the manifold, and cranked the car while fuel shot into a tub I had. The spark issue would be interesting. It would make sense since I don't even get a pop with starting fluid. I'm not sure how I would go about testing that, I suppose I would just buy a new coil? Maybe new rotors and cap, the coil plug in the cap looks a little worn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

76 has electronic ignition.  Engine Electrical.  You didn't say how the spark looked.  The fact that the injectors sprayed while cranking indicates that the coil was discharging.  That's what the ECU uses to know when to open the injectors.  Go to the basics of what's supposed to happen.  If the cylinders suck in some starting fluid and there's a spark you should at least get a pop.  Something's missing.

 

The details are important.  You didn't describe the spark, and you haven't said how you sprayed the fluid, just "in the manifold".  You might be spraying in to an electrical plug.  Who knows.  Thinking about replacing the coil without testing it is a bad sign.

 

The beauty of these cars is how much testing information is on the internet, free to anyone that want's to use it.  You could have had the whole system tested by now, with a meter and one of those books.  Just saying...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...