Fuel Starved

[Pokey]

My "87 Pathfinder has run great for a couple years since buying it. Three weeks ago, it began getting harder to start. It took more cranks to fire up. then eventually it just stopped starting. Ignition sparks are okay. So I decided to pour a small amount of gas directly into the intake. After a few rotations, it fires up, and runs perfectly. I shut it down and restart, no problem. If I let it sit a couple hours, it won't start. It's as if the pump has lost prime, and won't transport fuel. So I pour a little more fuel in the intake and it's running again. Could it be the fuel pump? The filter was just replaced. I got it running again and drove it to the neighborhood mechanic to let him worry about it, but thought someone here could give me some insight. Any ideas?

[94extreme]

yeah, the pump is probably the top suspect but i'd check and see if you have pressure in the lines, first.

[Alkorahil]

yeah, the pump is probably the top suspect but i'd check and see if you have pressure in the lines, first.

 

 

The fuel system needs pressure. If you just recently replaced the fuel filter, are both the in and out fuel lines good and snug?

I would suspect if it started this right after changing the fuel filter that it might be an issue with something you did, perhaps without knowing.

 

If it has been sitting up a long time it could be a clogged fuel line possibly, just another thought.

 

Might also check the air filer and the air intake for something starving it for air.

If it has been sitting up, some small critter might have nested in there. (happened to me once!)

[Pokey]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes.

[94extreme]

one other thing.. did you put the fuel filter in the correct way.. as in flow arrow pointing the same as before?

[Pokey]

Yes, the fuel filter is in the right way. The starting problem began before the new filter was installed, so that eliminates that possibility. It looks like line pressure or the pump may be next for a check. In the meantime, I'm busy with some other duties, so I won't be able to weed this out for a few days.

Thanks again.

[Pokey]

Well this has been a long story. I went on a trip, left the car at a local garage, hoping for the best when I returned. Months later they still hadn't fixed it, and I brought it back home. Lucky for me a neighbor down the road had junked his '92 Pathfinder, and said I could take parts. So the other day I got the idea (after doing some searching and reading in this forum) to replace the main relay. That didn't do it. Then I replaced the fuel pump relay, and now it starts right up.

 

Thank you all for your input and a very informative resource.

[Slick]

*wipes tear* i love a happy ending

[94extreme]

great

 

thanks for the update.