Mark 97 Cutlass Coupe Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Hi guys, I have a 97 Cutlass Supreme Coupe with appx. 135,000 miles. After a flawless 500 mile round trip to the Columbus area last weekend, my car died in the driveway. I was adding a little R134, and it just sputtered and died, like it ran out of gas. I was a little low on gas (the light just had come on) so I thought maybe the gauge was off. I put 5 gallons in, and still no start. I checked the big under hood fuse for the fuel pump, swapped it with the a/c fuse (exactly the same fuse), still no start. It cranks like it is out of gas, which makes me think the pump. I have never been able to hear the pump like I can on my Mustang, so please don't suggest that. I put a little engine start spray into the air cleaner, and it sputtered for a few seconds, and then stopped. I guess I am asking if anyone has ever had a similar problem. It would be cool if there is some simple fix I have not thought of, so please let me know what you think. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilpatch197 Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) there is a schrader valve on top of the motor usually where the fuel comes in(it has a cap on it, like the AC system ports) push in the center of that valve and fuel SHOULD come out, EVEN if you just cranked the motor over, some will come out of that valve. if none comes out, your fuel pump burned up. "Modern" designs use the gas in the fuel tank to cool the fuel pump, stupid Ideal, I know. So your pump overheated and now you need to replace it. Most fuel injected fuel systems will run the pump for 2 seconds to pressurize the fuel system prior to start up, then shut it off till it reads oil pressure. When you lose oil pressure, the pump will shut off to protect it. If you run your car completely out of fuel and constantly try to start it, you will slowly damage the pump. Every time you try to start the car after, you are running it for the 2 seconds, then again as your cranking the engine. If you know your out of gas, don't try to start it - just get some more fuel in the tank. Most pumps can also be found for about $200-$400 - if your paying more than that, shop around. Dealership parts are ALWAYS overpriced and most after market pumps will have a better warrantee than OEM. Be smart about it and you will get by without too much cost. Many cars are being built with an access port for the pump so you dont even have to drop the tank. I recently did a 99 Mercury Mystique pump... it took less than an hour to replace it - most of that was trying to get the old retaining ring off. Here is a Technical service bulletin pdf to read: http://econtent.autozone.com:24999/znetcs/psb/en_US/2/00/78/ar1tsb-0307-01_atx.pdf If it is indeed a fuel pump, I recommend Airtex (USA made) fuel pumps, you can get them at AutoZone. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Airtex-Master-Fuel-Pump/1997-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Supreme/_/N-j970lZ8vcz2?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=fuel+pump&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=386144_200114_0_ Edited July 13, 2011 by Oilpatch197 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark 97 Cutlass Coupe Posted July 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks for the tip on the valve. I will check it out to see if any fuel comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alec_b Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 You recommend airtex? Why? Those are about the worst fuel pumps you can buy. I'd recommend a bosch or ac delco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilpatch197 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) Because they are USA made, I like keeping my money in the States, and my Dad works there, a machinist; not a good place to work, but it pays the bills. I used to be a big Delco supporter, but the company has really taken a turn for the worse over the last few years. It's pretty much "name only" company, rights to use "AC Delco" for sale to the lowest bidder. I've used two Airtext pumps before, a mechanical and a "universal" electric one, they worked flawlessly. I'm not here to promote Airtex pumps, or get in an arguement, but there's no way after six months a pump will be bad (unless there is a defective batch). I suggest you look real hard at the "professional" mechanics who installed them. Was it the same guy each time? Improper installation can ruin every part. 1 out of every 5 fuel pumps currently in operation in the world is an Airtex fuel pump. 1 out of every three fuel pumps sold in the US is an Airtex fuel pump. Airtex is an OE supplier for the automotive and industrial markets. They also produce the the fuel pump in the military hum-vee and predator drone. They have been making fuel pumps for more than 75 years. They are currently competing to have the largest number of sku's and best coverage in the industry. As far as fuel pump concerns go did you know almost half of the fuel pumps returned to Airtex pass all tests and perform to new pump standards? Did you know 21% of returned fuel pumps are contaminated with rust, dirt or silt? This isn't to say that no one has a legitimate concern when it comes to their fuel pump. However, miss-diagnosis is rampant and modern fuel pumps are tight tolerance high speed components that require clean fuel and a good fuel filter. Airtex has an open door to help do it yourselfers and shops alike. They have an awesome web-site with all the information you need to diagnose and repair the fuel delivery system and they never turn away anyone who asks for advice or helpful tips about diagnosis and repair. By the way- Airtex is still manufacturing fuel pumps in the good old USA. Made in the USA still means something doesn't it? Edited July 14, 2011 by Oilpatch197 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) If it is indeed a fuel pump, I recommend Airtex (USA made) fuel pumps Because they are USA made The Airtex pump I bought for my work truck was made in China. Sent it's sorry ass back to Amazon, and bought a USA-made Delco instead. Not all Airtex pumps are Damned Chinese, but the one I wanted was. As if I'd spend all that time screwing with the gas tank, and then drop some cheap-crap Chinese pump in it. There's just too much labor involved to risk installing a junk pump. It's pretty obvious that they're ashamed of using Chinese-sourced crap, the country-of-origin information is in the smallest font imaginable. That's the tip of a ball-point pen in the photo for comparison. I went through all the Airtex training, took the tests, and have two Airtex "certificates" and a Made-In-China baseball cap. They were my first choice because they seemed to support the aftermarket techs; and I appreciated that. But I don't appreciate it so much that I'll install a substandard part that costs nearly as much as the USA-made Delco. First Guess: I got lucky on the Delco, I bet they're making most of their product in China, too. Edited July 14, 2011 by Schurkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intern8tion9l Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 "el intank pump," lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 "electric intank pump," lol fixed:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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