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Will not start, low fuel pressure

Tiny
BREANNASMITHH
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,000 MILES
Car has been sitting for about five years.
Had it towed so I would not drive it with old gas.
I have had replaced: the fuel pump twice, fuel filter, fuel relay, cleaned the gas tank, oil and oil filter, bought a battery.
I have driven it approximately fifteen miles since in all. It does great once you get your speed up. It will idle on occasion. It did cut off on me at a red light and once I got it started smoke came out of tail pipe (could mean water/dirt in gas but I am not sure).
I went to O'reilys for a diagnostic and it read "too many misfires". I bought fuel injector cleaner and put it in the tank. Drove home (about five miles) and it has not started back up again.
There still is not any fuel pressure, by checking it myself on the passenger side of the motor.

My next step will be to replace spark plugs, and wires.

Does anyone else have thoughts or tips about this?
I am honestly uneducated in vehicle mechanics. Or vehicle anything really.
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Friday, February 23rd, 2018 AT 11:48 PM

50 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

What is the fuel pressure? Did you use a gauge to test it?

The injectors could be an issue. Additives have no effect on cleaning. The fact it sat for five years tells me the pindles may be carbon ed up.

Was the fuel pressure regulator checked?

Roy
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
BREANNASMITHH
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Good morning.
Thank you for your response and knowledge.
I have not done that, I have just tested it via Phillips head screwdriver. No gas comes out. I get a substance on my finger that resembles old gas. I do not have a gauge myself to test the psi. Does AutoZone or O' Reilys have one for the customers to borrow? I will test it today.
Do I need a psi gauge for the radiator cap also? I am a twenty four year old southern female who has no clue what the hell she is doing, just learning as I go! Thanks to YouTube I managed to successfully come this far.
I am changing the spark plugs today once my babies wake up and I can get them outside with me.
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 4:50 AM
Tiny
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Okay, yes they rent tools at the parts stores.

The fact that there was something other than fuel at the test port tells me there is contamination in the lines that must be cleaned out.

Roy
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
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How would I go about doing that? I was told by a friend of mine if I take the head gasket off, unhook air intake, take a few screws out, and move the wires out of my way I will get to the "gas flow intake thingy" and can clean it out that way, and I can get to spark plugs easier if I go this route.
Am I somewhat correct? I am trying my best to save money, and not go to a master mechanic.
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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It is called an upper intake manifold. Yes, it has to come off then you will have access to the injectors and the rail. The rail needs to be removed and cleaned out completely. The line back to the tank needs to be cleaned as well. Change the fuel filter as that is in line.

Roy
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
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So as I am replacing the fuel lines I should also change fuel filter again?
Okay so my to do list consists of.
Changing spark plugs, cleaning fuel lines, rails, and injectors?
Should I consider getting assistance? Or is it simple enough persay for me to give it a try myself?
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
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I suggest assistance is you have never done it before.

You cannot clean the injectors has to be done from the inside with special cleaner. After you have completed the task, take it to a shop such as Firestone, Goodyear or one of the major chains that have good pricing and have them clean the injectors. It should run about seventy five to eighty bucks.

Roy
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
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Thank you so much! I have a mechanic coming tomorrow to finish things up.
Thank you so much! I will update you to let you know the outcome.
Thanks again.
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome. Keep us updated.

Roy
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Saturday, February 24th, 2018 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
BREANNASMITHH
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I have changed spark plugs and noticed a belt shredding and the shredding were wrapping around a threaded pulley type thing and seems to be coming off its bearing, I believe. I did some research and found out it is the idler pulley.
Would this cause such problems I am having? If not what kind of problems/symptoms would it cause?
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 11:15 AM
Tiny
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Also it almost took me out me reaching those back three spark plugs, and the front three were so tight I almost considered an air impact.
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
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Alright, so now it is just clicking when I turn the key over.
Oh my goodness, what could possibly be the problems now and/or resolutions?
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
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Okay, no the bad idler is not your issue. When it fails it will toss the belt off and the belt will get wrapped around everything.

Never, ever use an impact on plugs, you will tear up the threads in the head.

Make sure the battery is charged up and has 12.6 volts.

Roy
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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Battery is fine, just checked it. Thank God the ldler is fine.
It will not start its just making a clicking when I turn the key over, and also I can take the key out of the ignition while in the on position.
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
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Okay, what is the battery voltage? It sounds like low voltage for the clicking and the key.

Roy
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
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Not sure. I took it out of my other vehicle. It is a new battery, less than six months old.
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
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I would still check the voltage. Do not assume anything.

Roy
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
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I thought it could be a security problem, so I did the "leave key in on position for ten minutes". No luck.
I do not have the key remote. Would that make a difference?
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
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No, if that was the issue, it would do nothing and the security light or theft light would stay on after about five seconds with the key on.

Roy
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
BREANNASMITHH
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
With key on it flips through low fuel, battery, and security. Sometimes one will stay on for a few minutes then flip to the next.
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Sunday, February 25th, 2018 AT 3:53 PM

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