Re: '88 5kcstq dies, very noisy fool pump [very long]

[C1J1Miller@aol.com]

Ken Keith wrote:
(major snip)
"...Strangely enough, every time it stalled, I was able to fire it up again 
right away.  I would think that if I stalled it, whatever caused the 
problem wouldn't be suddenly "healed" soon enough to allow such 
a quick restart.  Perhaps it's the mechanics rag in the gas tank 
floating covering the gas pickup, then floating away when the 
suction goes away. <g>..."
(another major snip)
"...I was able to restart it, but it was extrememly shaky, and the fuel 
pump was whining like crazy.  I could tell that the car was not 
getting enough fuel, and it coincided with the noisy fuel pump's 
oscillating whine.  The louder the pump got, the closer the car got 
to dying.  It was like the pump was straining, with a direct 
relationship between the sound and the poor idle.  Eventually it 
died and would not restart..."
(still another major snip)

You may have a combination of several problems... Lets start with the most 
obvious.
That era car came with a fuel tank with an internal coating that can flake 
off and clog the screen at the fuel pump (much like the above mechanic's rag 
thought).  Factory solution (as I recall) was to have you pull the fuel pump, 
and cut away the intake screen.  Might want to inspect the base of the tank 
and remove any loose material at the same time... as you're dealing with 
gasoline, gasoline vapors, and a confined space (trunk and fuel tank), this 
might be a job for a pro.  

If I were to do this, I'd probably drain the tank entirely, block off the 
lines leading into the tank, then mop out the gunk.  Lots of ventilation 
needed, and no ignition sources or sparking tools!!!!  If the trunk lid was 
to slam shut on you while the tank is open, you'd likely die from 
asphixiation, so take all needed precautions!
Properly dispose of the waste material and old gasoline (or at least run it 
through a fuel filter before reuse).  Don't forget to remove the screen, 
which is likely clogged up, anyways.  Search the archives for a better 
procedure (I've got a fuel pump change procedure on my page that might offer 
some guidance, although I think you use the earlier style pump).

Next, change the fuel filter!!!

Then, go to Scott Mockry's page at http://www.sjmautotechnik.com and go 
through his various checks and suggestions.

HTH, chris miller, windham  nh, c1j1miller@aol.com
'91 200q20v ==> http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/index.html