Fuel not reaching filter/fuel pump

[882993md]

Hi everyone:

The last time the car was started was February. I finally finished up what I needed yesterday and tried to start it unsuccessfully. 

The starter cranks, engine does not fire, there is spark to plugs, no fuel to the filter.

I pulled the hose off from the filter and I was prepared for fuel spillage but it was completely dry, 

Does the fuel pump have a hard time pulling fuel when the lines are empty?

Should I try turkey basting the lines with fuel?

Howard

1974 260z

 

Edited September 23, 2016 by 882993md
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[Dave WM]

install fuel pressure gauge, then check function of pump.

[Travel'n Man]

How much fuel is in the tank?

[siteunseen]

I'd pull the the hose off the filter and siphon it until you get a mouth full of fuel.  Maybe take the fill cap off too for more vent.

[882993md]

47 minutes ago, Travel'n Man said:

How much fuel is in the tank?

Three gallons

Howard

1974 260z

Edited September 23, 2016 by 882993md

[Mark Maras]

 Does it have the original electric and mechanical fuel pumps? My first thought is the elec. pump in front of the tank isn't working.  If the mechanical pump is there, you could pull the fuel line between the mechanical pump and the filter, put it in a container of gas and try to start it. One way or another the fuel pumps will need to be checked for pressure and volume flow. This is assuming that crud in the tank isn't blocking a line.

[882993md]

Thank you everyone for your replies. The gas tank was cleaned inside and out previously (no rust or crud), so I'm guessing it's one or both pumps. 

I will check today after work and post a follow up. Thank you. 

Howard

'74 260z

[Zed Head]

Three gallons is not much and means more lifting effort from the pump.  Any tilt and you might be off the pickup.  There's a test in the FSM for fuel pump "power".  Don't forget that the filter has to fill.

[882993md]

Wanted to update everyone. I bought a harbor freight hand pump for liquid. I thought I would use that to pull the fuel up to the fuel filter. I connected the pump to the rubber line that connects to the fuel filter and no gas.

So I tried pushing air into the line and my pump lines bulged from the pressure. It seems the fuel line is blocked. It can't be rust as the tank is refurbished (inside and out).

I know the gas today is not great but I can't believe it would turn so hard to clog a line in six months.

I don't have an air compressor so I'm thinking some type of wire to snake into the line?

Howard 

1974 270z

Edited September 26, 2016 by 882993md

[Patcon]

Has the tank passed fuel since it was refurbished? Was the tank sealed inside?

[Zed Head]

Are you sure that you didn't get your vent and liquid lines mixed up?  I think that there's a check valve in the vent line.  There is on the 280Z's, do't know about 260Z's.

And if you have an electric pump in the back it might have a check valve also.  So blowing air back to the tank might be the wrong test.  I'd loosen the line at the tank nipple and see if any fuel leaks out.  And blow air forward.

Edited September 26, 2016 by Zed Head

[SteveJ]

On 9/22/2016 at 11:18 PM, 882993md said:

Hi everyone:

The last time the car was started was February. I finally finished up what I needed yesterday and tried to start it unsuccessfully. 

The starter cranks, engine does not fire, there is spark to plugs, no fuel to the filter.

I pulled the hose off from the filter and I was prepared for fuel spillage but it was completely dry, 

Does the fuel pump have a hard time pulling fuel when the lines are empty?

Should I try turkey basting the lines with fuel?

Howard

1974 260z

 

When I drained my tank a few months back and replaced rotten fuel lines, I did not have any trouble pulling fuel through it, but the line to the mechanical pump wasn't pulled. You might try priming the fuel rail and the line going up to the mechanical pump. The electric pump doesn't run unless the key is in the ON position. It doesn't get power when cranking the engine.