['91 4-cyl hatch]

im buying a 1991 4-cylender 2.3l mustang hatchback from one of my dads coeworkers, the reason why he is selling it is that it wont start. the problem is that it started off having trouble starting over time, but once it had started it ran great (so he said, hes not much of a car guy), and it slowly worked it way to where it wouldnt start. we have checked the battery, it cranks over, checked the gas pump and put a new one in, fresh gas, but still nothing. does anyone have any ideas on things that have happened to be wrong with these?

or at least could you tell me/help me out with were to check the timing on the timing belt? we thing the timing may be so far off it doesnt want to start, but then if tthat were the problem once it started wouldn't it have ran like crap? it would be the starter, but i dont think so... its got spark, its got fuel preasure, its cranking over fine, every once in a great while it will half-a$$ fire.

thanks for the help

[sleeper_inc]

Check codes.

Also does the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the "run" position?

['91 4-cyl hatch]

ya, the fuel's priming... how do you check the codes? (dumb question i know).

[sleeper_inc]

You can get a code reader for $15 at walmart or a parts store.

When was the last tune up done? Also check your other post to find out how to read your cam's timing

['91 4-cyl hatch]

ok, we bought a manual for the car, and we have come down to pretty much one conclusion.... the piston is not getting any gas. i'll tell you why...

1. has fuel preasure, fresh gas, gas is priming.
2. getting spark
3. engine is turning over when cranking it over
4. as it is cranking over, it is good and strong, but it acts like it is not getting any fuel since every once in a while (every 10 secconds) it sounds like it gets just a hint of fuel in the piston and barely fires up, only to start dry-cranking again.

so, does anyone have any suggestions only on what could be going wrong with the pistons not getting gas, what to check? the manual tells everything in sort of a confusing fassion, and doesnt help as far as what happens when something goes out (as far a i have read).

thank you, i know im kind of being stubborn just getting so frustrated, damn fuel injected engines!!!!

[sleeper_inc]

Clean your injectors and see if your FPR is working fine.

Before you try this, push your gas peddle to the floor and crank it over for a few seconds, if nothing happens then your engine isn't getting any fuel

[b_chandler]

Not enough fuel or too much air? Both have the same results. If you've got an intake leak downstream of the MAF, then you have more air getting into the engine than the MAF is counting and in turn there's a possibility that not enough fuel is present for proper combustion.

Something else to consider is engine compression. Just like air and fuel, compression is a key to internal combustion. You've got 4 cycles, suck(intake), squeeze(compression), bang(ignition), blow(exhaust) If you don't have any of the 4, you don't have a running engine. You seem to have 3 out of 4. You've confirmed fuel and air (intake), you've confirmed spark (ignition), exhaust is pretty much a given at this point. So what's missing?

When you do a compression test, you're not necessarily looking for a specific number as much as you are looking for a consistent number across all cylinders. Now, if all cylinders read 0psi or 30psi, you have a problem.

You've either got a bad intake leak, or possibly a bad head gasket. A compression test will prove me wrong on the latter.

['91 4-cyl hatch]

well, we removed one of the plugs and cranked it over.... no fuel whatsoever. so like i thought... the engine is not getting any gas in the carb, and every once in a great while one piston will get gas and somewhat fire (about every 10 secconds).

so that narrows it down there... now to do some more reading in the manual!

[sleeper_inc]

Take your injectors out and clean/rebuild them. Change your fuel filter and see if you can grab a fuel pump from a JY just to see if it is indeed the pump

[b_chandler]

One of his previous posts said he already changed the fuel pump.

I'm not clear on how removing a spark plug and cranking the engine confirmed a lack of fuel?

[john13]

did u check ur timing and timing belt?

[GeorgiaLX]

I would pull off your fuel lines and crank it to see if the pump is working correctly. If so then move on to making sure that your injectors are pulsing with a test light, cleaning them as stated above may help to. Good luck