Michael's 180B Sedan Z18ET

[classicdat]

I'm no expert on this but thought if it was a fueling issue, as described, keeping the key on, pump running, if this is possible, and cracking off the fuel line at the rail would tell you if you had pressure. or an external gauge in the line I guess if you want to get that technical.

[Mikewazowski]

The only problem with cracking the line is that when it cuts out, sometimes it will start back up almost instantly. So seeing that there is fuel pressure one time, may not be conclusive. Fuel pressure gauge would be good though.

Driving to work yesterday it cut out again. This time I noticed that the fuel pump noise was changing a little. To follow this up I drained my tank last night (seemed to be nice clean petrol coming out of it) and replaced my fuel filter. The filter that I took out was pretty blocked up (it was a second-hand one that we had in the garage when I was setting my car up originally) when compared to the new one. Maybe there was a blockage in the filter that was causing enough restriction from time to time to reduce the fuel pressure?

Time will tell I guess...

[classicdat]

Are you running the correct filter for the engine? or the car? is it the same?

[Mikewazowski]

I'm running a high pressure fuel filter after my VL fuel pump.
The second hand one I had in before was off a VN Commodore.
The original fuel filter was a little low pressure jobbie for the L18.

I'd like to run a low pressure, high flow filter between my tank and my pump but I had a bit of trouble finding and inline one that had a 3/8" inlet and outlet.

[DylPhil7]

Once its fixed big burnout time Mike! With pics!

[Mikewazowski]

Ok SITREP:

I replaced the fuel filter the other day (the old one was pretty blocked so I thought that could have bee the culprit).
Car ran mint up to Hamilton yesterday.
I drove 5 min down the road today to fill the tank from 3/4 full. After filling I couldn't start the car. If left for a little while (5 min) it would start for a couple of seconds and then die.
Mananged to test a few things while it wasn't starting:

- Both coils are getting 12V when the key is switched to on.
- The spark plugs appear to be sparking.
- The fuel pump is supplying fuel to the fuel rail (took the inlet fuel line off and it pissed fuel everywhere when key turned to "on")
- The car will start (when it feels like it) irrespective of which coil is being used as the inlet coil.
- Dizzy is solidly set and the whole unit can't be moved by hand.
- I thought I could hear the injectors "clicking" when we were turning it over but I can't be sure...
- The lead that goes from my inlet coil to the dizzy has twice the resistance of the lead that goes from the exhaust coil to the dizzy (even though it is half the length). Car seemed to start irrespective of which coil/lead combination was used...although it wouldn't run for long at that stage.

Once the car decided to start running it seemed like I could help prevent it from cutting out by absolutely flooring it. I drove out of the car park and it cut out. After waiting 5 min it started again and I gave it a bootful down the road to the flat and it didn't miss a beat.

I'm thinking maybe the computer, AFM, TPS or some such thing?
Really beginning to dread driving anywhere as I'm never sure I'll make it.

[gingofthesouth]

While reading your post I was think, hmm sounds like AFM or ECU etc. Soo I think your on the right track. Dyl Phil has an ecu he may lend ya.

[DylPhil7]

word up.
(keyword lend haha)

[Mikewazowski]

Sweet.

Dyl would you be able to let me know how much to post your ECU up to the Bay of Plenty? If you aren't going to be using it right now I might plug it in, drive around for a bit and see if it fixes my problem. If so at least it will have been diagnosed

[DylPhil7]

Haha all good bare in mind Im the middle man, the ecu is in Nelson...that means I have to direct my mother