Car help - wont start after trying to replace fuel filter

A

anangrytomato

Member
I attempted to replace the fuel filter - started the engine, pulled the EFI fuse (should have pulled the relay but didn't notice it until much later), removed everything on the intake downstream of the TB, removed the battery, but I didn't have the right wrenches to remove the fuel filter and I didn't have much time left so I decided I'll do this another time. Put the battery back in, reconnected the intake stuff, double checked the main air clamp, PCV clamp, and idle bypass clamp, put the fuse back in. Turned key to on, let the pump run for a bit, tried to turn it over and 'click click click'. Battery was dying. Hooked it up to another car, let it charge, turned to on. Fuel pumping whirring and I hear a hissing coming from the front fuel line but see and smell no gasoline. Try turning it over, starter motor works properly now but still won't turn over. I can't run the thing forever or I'll kill both batteries and I'm pretty sure it shouldnt take that long to pressurize the fuel system anyways.

Theoretically, I blew an EFI fuse, and replaced it. It shouldn't be doing this and I'm kinda out of ideas. There is no hissing anywhere in the fuel system except the front line. Any ideas?
 
disconnect your feed fuel line at an easy to access spot under the hood and crank the motor over and see if you can get roughly 500ml of gas in 30 seconds... thats a SAE spec. I know for german cars, the fuel lines are marked White for feed, blue for return and green for evap. If you arent getting fuel to the feed line, you know there is a problem with fuel delivery.

I assume it has an in tank pump, which normally can be accessed if you pull the rear bench seat out of the car and pop the plastic cover that protects the connectors and pump... test with a multimeter for 12volts while cranking... If there is 12 volts there, you know the circuit is ok to the supply pump. Did you actually not touch any of the fuel lines at all? Its pretty damn hard to air lock a modern fuel injected car. You say you can hear the fuel pump engage?
 
Didn't short anything else when you were working on it? If it's cranking over and fuel is pumping through it could be ignition related. Have you checked all the fuses in the engine bay?
 
does the engine try to turn over at all? like... does it stumble and die? or can you solely hear the starter? If it doesnt even try to start... youre either not getting fuel or spark... most likely fuel since thats what you just messed with lol... could be too flooded to start? might want to take the spark plugs out and let it sit for a day or two to let it evaporate out. idk, try to be more specific on what its doing and there will be a better answer
 
from my understanding, you got to the fuel filter removal stage.. then realized it was rusted on the lines and didnt have a line wrench to remove it? Honestly, fuel filter replacement on gasoline engines is becoming obsolete, so for future refrence.. dont bother until a fuel problem arises. If you were handling the fuel filter, its possible you knocked some of the filter element apart and its now clogging the inside of the fuel fully or restricting the flow enough to cause a "no start" issue. The first bit of advice i would give to you is to check to see if the fuel is getting to the motor via the method i told you of earlier.
 
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