78 Z will not start

[AndysPlit]

This car has been sitting for about six months. The alternator, battery, fuel pump, filter, and plugs had all been changed previously. She'll fire up, crank over and then die within a second or so. I'll try starting her again, and she won't even turn over. If I wait for a couple minutes, she'll crank, but die again after a second. I don't think it's the starter, rather a fuel issue. Any thoughts?

[Willoughby Z]

All of the mentioned parts were changed six months ago?, and then it sat for six months? Your fuel is toast.

Even if not, how do you know it's getting fuel to the filter or even past it to the injectors. Six months of sitting can cause corrosion to connectors.

[Willoughby Z]

All of the mentioned parts were changed six months ago?, and then it sat for six months? Your fuel is toast.

Even if not, how do you know it's getting fuel to the filter or even past it to the injectors. Six months of sitting can cause corrosion to connectors.

[AndysPlit]

The battery was changed yesterday. The other parts were changed before she sat.....If there is corrosion where can I check?

[mjr45]

Dump the fuel, put on a new fuel filter, plugs and dizzy rotor, then try it. It sounds like its running out of fuel after it starts, then has to build pressure back into the system before it starts again.

[AndysPlit]

Hmmm....I can dump the fuel for sure. The plugs, rotor, and filter were installed less than a year ago. Can those really go bad after 6 months of sitting? I wonder if there's moisture built up in the gas tank or even distributor cap. Yeah, the pressure needed to start again makes sense.

Edited March 18, 2013 by AndysPlit

[mjr45]

A fuel filter can get clogged in a few seconds if there is crude in the line or old fuel in the tank, regular changing the filter is just part of routine maintainence. I change mine about every 6 months, it is after all a 30 year old car and I haven't yet dropped the tank and had it cleaned out, a project for this summer. I still think you a fuel problem, it fires up so that sorta rules out the ignition, but a new rotor and dizzy cap will only run a few bucks so it wouldn't hurt to change them.

[Wade Nelson]

I recommend you start by DIAGNOSING why it won't start and run.

Get a can of starting fluid or brake cleaner (anything flammable) and spritz some into the intake, or have someone else do so while you crank her over. If you can start and keep it running it's a fuel problem.

If that doesn't help, then it's time to begin diagnosing an ignition problem, pull a plug wire and see if you have spark.

If faux fuel doesn't help, AND you have spark, you might next pull a plug and make sure you have compression. Put your thumb over the hole or put a compression gauge on it.

If it won't CRANK and your battery is known good try runing a wire from the battery to the starter solenoid input, in essence, hotwire the starter and see if it cranks.

I'm wondering if you perhaps have a worn out ignition switch.

[darom]

After you check the fuel tank, lines and fuel filter, I would get the FSM:

1. Doesn't your 78 verify upon the start the oil pressure sending unit's input to run the fuel pump? Earlier models like my 76 used the AFM switch to control via the fuel relay the operation of the fuel pump. If the oil pressure sending unit is bad, it logically should interfere with starting the engine.

2. FSM outlines steps how to test the fuel pump relay (big relay under your steering wheel), I'd check it.

Regards!

[AndysPlit]

Hmmm.....I think I will start with the starting fluid in the intake. Forgive me, but which hose or part would be appropriate for this?

[Wade Nelson]

Between the "MAF" air/fuel measuring unit and the intake manifold (where the throttle butterfly is located) there's usually a connection for a PCV hose, a big 3/4" hose you can pull off and spritz starting fluid in there. Or you can simply loosen that "snorkel" and spritz in around the edges of it.

Nothin' personal Andy, but you don't sound very mechanically inclined. From your post I really couldn't tell if you had a starting problem, a cranking problem, or both. Is now the right time to learn or should you find someone with a bit of diagnosis experience to help you out? I did most of my learning by watching others. Getting (often wrong or confusing) directions on the Internet and then trying to execute has GOT to be the hardest possible way to learn.

[mjr45]

Wade, you're right again. It sounds like from his first post that the car starts, dies after a few seconds, won't restart until a few minutes goes by then starts and dies.

Edited March 18, 2013 by mjr45