Need Help Getting M50 Started

[Mike B.]

Are you getting spark? Pull a plug and crank the engine.

Has the gas been sitting for a year as well? New fuel filter? Check your fuel pressure/flow.

[kevdeno]

Did you try reversing the poles for shits and giggles (if they don't do shit this way, then they're either dead or you have it backwards anyway, so why not)? But it's not like your injector rail has the poles reversed (provided they indeed do get power and signal)... so I guess all of them are somehow fried...?! Try to jack one or a set from someone to try... like say if you break 'em or they work you'll buy.

I did not try reversing the poles. This whole part of the engine has never been touched at least since it last ran. I'm 99.999% sure the positive is the red/white that gets its power from the main relay, as the test light indicates this. I might just have to try reversing polarity, just to eliminate one more possibility.

That's the game I'm playing right now though... Eliminate the wrong answers one at a time.

Are you getting spark? Pull a plug and crank the engine.

Has the gas been sitting for a year as well? New fuel filter? Check your fuel pressure/flow.

My testing for this has gone as far as confirming all six coils receive signal on each of three wires going to each. Power, ground, and ground trigger from DME. But you're right, I need to test for spark at the plug, as I have not specifically pulled a spark plug to confirm spark.

But I'm not sure the spark is the problem. Keep in mind that after much cranking, the plugs come out dry. No fuel on them. To answer your fuel questions:
- Yes, the car and gas have been sitting for a year.
- The engine has been sitting for more like 1-1.5 years. Maybe a little fuel resided in the rail. Who knows what it could have done. Gunk it up?
- The fuel pump works and pumps fuel, I can hear it running all the way through the fuel rail on the engine. And if I remove the feed fuel line shortly after running the fuel pump, there is fuel under pressure which squirts out until pressure is lost.
- So, I don't think the filter is bad either. (plus it's 3 years old, at the beginning of its lifespan, if that makes any difference).

As for checking actual pressure and flow. I don't have the necessary tools to do this.

[Mike B.]

Pick up an inline fuel pressure gauge. You should be able to find one with proper barbed fittings for under $60. You may be pumping fuel, but if the pressure is inadequate you will have starting issues.

I would also pull the injectors to verify that they are spraying and not clogged.

[kevdeno]

I pulled an injector completely off the rail. I tapped on it a good amount to see if I could get it "unstuck". I tried connecting it directly to battery and even reversed polarity. Still nothing.

Here are some pictures of the business ends of the injector. On the picture that shows the electrical plug, the left is positive and the right is ground. In looking at it I can't tell from the outside that it's "bad". It looks like a worn but potentially functioning part.

I'm not sure if I'll pick up a fuel pressure gauge just yet. I'm still fixated on this injector thing. I would like to get a good injector to test and compare. Of course this leads to a quandary as new injectors cost $100 each.

[kevdeno]

I found a great deal on a used fuel rail with injectors. It'll be shipped to me, so I don't know when I will get to test them. I will post my results at that time.
(I can hardly spend $600 on new injectors at this time)

[FredK]

Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone buying six new 17.5 lb/hr green top injectors. Most people just get a used and working set of six for like $40 - 50.

[kevdeno]

Well, after the initial purchase of my injectors got lost in shipping, I was forced to find others somewhere else. Once I found another set of all 6 I got them ordered.

I got my injectors replaced with the new (used) ones and put everything back together. I primed the fuel lines by powering the fuel pump relay. I turned the key to start and it fired up right away. It was too easy. It even startled me. I had been conditioned to expect nothing because so many test starts were unsuccessful that when it did fire up (no muffler), it caught me unprepared.

So thanks to those of you who worked through the questions and answers trying to help me. If you're ever in the Kansas City area, feel free to drop by for a beer.

[FredK]

great to hear you figured your starting problem out!

[kevdeno]

If you're curious to see a video, check out http://vimeo.com/891284.

(Just in case the link doesn't display in my post, go to vimeo dot com slash 891284.)