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Chevy Silverado Pickup fuel problem
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Gushwa
New User
Jun 11, 2012, 10:49 AM
Post #1 of 2
(3258 views)
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Chevy Silverado Pickup fuel problem
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1987
Chevy
Silverado 10 Pickup
5.0 L
70,000 miles
Hi Guys, I happened upon this site, trying to find an answer for my problem. Maybe hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction. I'm a "by the book" kinda guy, and have gone as far as rebuilding the top half of an engine, after blown head gaskets, completely by the book, with 100% success. If a mechanic tells me what is wrong with my car, I will usually just go buy the parts, and fix it myself. So I can fix it, if I know what is wrong.
My problem is with an 87 chevy silverado pick-up, which since I live in rural Virginia, and don't have garbage pick up, is the only thing it is used for, to drive my garbage to the dump two miles away, once every one to two months. That is the one and only thing I ever even crank it up for. So you could imagine, the gasoline sits in the tanks, for long periods sometimes, and may be fouled. I have 8, 32gal garbage cans, and sometimes the truck will sit all winter without ever being cranked, because of the snow, but apart from jumping the dead battery, and a spray or two of ether, it always turned over immediatley, and ran very strong.
That was until two weeks ago, where I was going to do the dump visit. I did the usual battery jump, and ether squirt, and it cranked right up, and ran strong. I drove it to my garbage cans, &
I loaded the truck up while I left it running, and even went inside for 20 minutes, just letting the battery charge up.
but when I returned to the truck, this time (first time ever), it had shut off by itself. I first checked the fuel level, and it still had 1/4 tank on the right side. So I tried to re-crank it, and it would turn over like if it was about to start, but it wouldn't. I would spray ether in the carb, of course with the air cleaner removed, and it would start up strong right away, but would conk out immediately after the ether was used up. I thought trash or gel in the fuel, so I went to the gas station, and got 5 gals premium fuel, and a bottle of Sea Foam, came back, poured that in, and after a few tries, it cranked up and ran strong, but by now I had to attend a meeting, so I turned it off, thinking the problem was solved. I'd take care of the garbage after the meeting, but when I got back, and tried to start it up again, the same problem was back.
OK I thought, probably the fuel filter gummed/trashed up? I just happenned to have a new fuel filter, which I hadn't installed yet, so I went ahead and replaced that. I don't know if it has a fuel filter on both tanks, but since I was working with the right tank, I replaced the filter that sits below the right tank, on the chassis, and also I poured in another bottle of Sea Foam into that tank. I would spray ether, crank it, it would run for a few seconds, then shut off. I even kept it running for about ten minutes, by continuing to spray ether into the carb, and I could throttle it up and down for about ten seconds, then it would starve & cut out.
I thought I may be able to work out the clog, but no go.
I also put gas in a spray bottle, and kept it running the same way for another ten minutes, or so, but no go. I can crank it without spraying the ether, and it will sometimes start and run while I carefully play with the throttle, but I can't keep that up for more than maybe ten seconds. I have also tried switching to the left tank, wich has some fuel, but I get the same results.
I have had someone turn on the key, while I listen at the fuel spout on both tanks, and both electric fuel pumps are working fine. I also took some carb cleaner, with the long spray tip, bent it into a U, and sprayed it up inside both injectors, but no go.
It is a 350 chevy engine, with a two barrel carb.
From my point of view, I assume no fuel, or very little fuel, is getting into the carb. I just don't want to be replaceing all different kinds of parts, until I find the right one. I'm now thinking the fuel injectors mabey? Or maybey the idle air controller? I don't know. I'm sure it's something simple, and a good machanic could probably stand there and name it off the top of their head. Thats something I can't do, I'm a jack of all trades, and master of none
So Please, I have tried to go into as much detail as possible, to give you a good idea, of whats going on, and I am sorry for the long winded description.
I thank you ahead of time. So if you think you know what it could be, PLEASE let me know. Thank You.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2012, 11:22 AM
Post #2 of 2
(3234 views)
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Re: Chevy Silverado Pickup fuel problem
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All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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