Ok so it's kinda cold out here in D.C. but not too cold where my pump should shut off right? It's only like 30 degrees out here or when I tried starting it tonight. I remember my little nissan truck started in below 0 degrees no problem so there shouldn't be that problem with the wagon right? I kinda figured when I bought the wagon that the fuel pump should be replaced but is there also a relay that should be replaced too? Also when replacing the fuel pump I know to get new: pump, o-ring, and filter screen. Is there anything else I need to know?
ok bigger issue I'm guessing... I just went out and tried starting again and it started right up! Fuel pump was on and everything! Now I'm confused what the problem might be. Could it possibly be the old aftermarket clifton alarm system?
no it doesn't it was installed with the original owner of the car. I tried looking up clifton alarm systems and found nothing...
Ok it did it again didn't start at all around 7pm then went to it again at 8pm and I think I heard the fuel pump but could it just be that it's cold outside? I think I'll try starting my firebird at the same time today with the wagon and if both aren't starting then maybe it's too cold outside and I'll just have to warm up the block...
Need to know if this is a carburetor or fuel injection before making more than a generalized statement. If it is below freezing, then any moisture in the gas line will freeze and possibly block the delivery to the engine. Also, in extreme temperatures, it takes a lot more volatility of the gas to get the engine running, than it does in warm weather. In the extreme cold, you would be better off running a higher octane gasoline for better starting. Also, if there is no ethanol in your local gas, then moisture could be the problem. This is the only upside to gasoline with ethanol. If the ignition wires are old and are leaking the spark to ground, then this is another problem area with hard winter starting. You can check this once you have the engine running by looking at the engine in a totally dark environment, such as in the garage... Make sure that you keep the garage door open, and the light off, and don't stay in there very long. Carbon Monoxide is a killer. Old spark plugs also get weak during cold weather. Sometimes, the least expensive way to fix a hard starting engine is to install an engine block heater.
It's fuel injected and I already replaced the whole ignition system and made sure it wasn't touching the engine anywhere like no wires laying on the covers and what not. It started today after a few cranks and my firebird (TBI) also started after a while so I'm assuming it's just when it's cold. I'll start either finding stations with ethanol and/or fuel additives. Also is using cold start or starting fluid bad or even a no no? I heard from my diesel teacher that starter fluid strips the left over oil from the cylinder wall essentially getting bare metal where the rings will scrape and dig into by a fraction causing loss or lower compression over time.
