Cranks but will not start?

M GASPAR

MEMBER
2003 DODGE NEON
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Came home from work, and the car ran fine. No engine codes, just the evap / gas cap.
Went to start 2 days later, cranks but won't start. Battery at14.5 volts, fuel pressure at55 PSI, getting spark / tested all four plugs, plugs are less than 6 months old and gapped fine. I removed the valve cover to observe that the cam is turning, so I know the timing belt is intact. Used my obd scanned to check the map sensor is reading.
Any suggestions?

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,583 POSTS

Will the engine run on starting fluid? If you have a shorted fuel injector it will shut down the driver inside the PCM. Please go over this video and guide below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t

And this guide can help you check the fuel injectors:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

I have seen the catalytic converter come apart and block the outlet, I would crank it over while having a helper see if you get distinct air bursts out of the exhaust pipe. Please go over these guides and get back to us.

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Monday, December 30th, 2024 AT 11:45 AM

M GASPAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Unfortunately, I have no one here to assist at this moment. I will do the best I can alone.
When I pulled the plugs to check spark and compression, I could smell fuel on each plug.
Compression was 150 on 2 and 3, 135 on 1 and 4.
I will get back to you.
Thank you.

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Monday, December 30th, 2024 AT 3:24 PM

M GASPAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Checked the catalytic converter, it's not plugged.
Checked the injectors ( ohm reading ), all within spec.
Thought maybe one or more injectors could be plugged so I removed the fuel rail and that's when I smelt something odd. The fuel did not smell like gas, more like a kerosene.
I put gas in it before coming home from work. And it ran fine all the way home.
Let the car sit for two days and the kerosene / diesel / whatever it was settled to the bottom of the tank, where the fuel pump sump is.
It tried to start the whole time but wouldn't.
Drained the tank and the liquid was green, not a yellow color.
Put 10 liters in it and tried to start.
30 seconds later it was running.
Thank you for your help. I was about to give up.

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Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 AT 8:54 AM

KEN L