Need help, running out of ideas...

[95talon_in_ma]

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

No mods cept for an intake and exhaust, both have been on for over 6 months.
Car was running fine this morning, came back from an errand, went to leave an hour later and it would not run over 600 rpm's and only for about 3 seconds. Consistently it would try to start and sometimes would run for a couple secs, but as soon as you step on the gas, it backfires slightly and completely dies.
The CEL was not triggered currently.
It does come on like it's supposed to when I turn the key however.

So far I have done the following,
Checked timing, it was spot on (nothing lost my water pump was leaking and I wanted to replace it anyway).
Checked fuel pump and verified it was getting fuel.
Spark is good.

I had a weird engine noise a few weeks ago. It wasn't lifters or knock or anything like that, it was more like my timing belt was rubbing on the cover. At the time I was thinking it was my bearings on the water pump. Soon there after that my CEL was on. I took it to Auto Zone and they said it was "Dealer Code" and another for "Fuel trim". Which told me nothing so I went and ordered the Pocket logger and it will be here this thursday. I bought some fuel injector cleaner and a thermostat that I needed. The next day after a long ride my CEL goes off and my car starts running like a champ again. Weirder than that though is the noise disapeared too.
Three more days go by with no issues and the car is running perfect.
Then it did what I mentioned above this AM.

The only thing I can think of is maybe something with the exhaust. Maybe the valve was broke or something???

What could could cause all this that wouldn't trip the CEL??

Much appreciated...

Duane

 

[delta448]

Any of these? -boost leak, fouled plugs, clogged fuel filter, bad plug wire(s), O2 sensor wire short ??

 

[95talon_in_ma]

I checked them all, they are fine. With the exception of the fuel filter.
I did run power directly to fuel pump, but did not disconnect the fuel rail.
But I did spray some ether with no change in how it was running. Usually it would kick it up for a sec.
Whatever it is, it's weird, because it was running fine. I shut it off. Go back an hour later and it won't run.

I checked all my fuses too, they are good.
I don't have the tool I need to do boost leak, I guess I could make it tomorrow. But if it was boost leak, wouldn't it happen while you were driving? I would think it would run bad, but I don't think it would cause it not to run at all...No?

I'm gonna disconnect the fuel rail and prime the pump and see if it's spittin anything out...

 

[luvmygst]

Just an idea but have you checked for the dreaded C/W ? Maber the crank positision sensor was geting hit by the plate not getting signl? Juast a though. The only reason I say this is because when my cam pos.s sensor went out thats waht my car did. I would atleast check tha plugs for those sensors. Good luck

 

[95talon_in_ma]

I checked the Crank sensor as far as it is still connected and hooked up.
I also checked the spark plugs and something weird is going on there.
Cylinder 2 and 3 are loaded with gas and soot. 1 and 4 are dry.

First thing I am guessing was the Ignition coil. So I tested it and it was fine. But I threw one in from my parts car that I know worked. But same result.

The only thing I can think of is a bad CPS or CAS. I have spare ones of both, Should I just throw them in and see?
Do the symptoms I have seem like they would cause it?
The car simply ildes for three secs and dies. If Itry to give it gas, it backfires violently through both intake and exhaust and dies. All that and it still doesn't get over 1000 rpm's.

Timing is dead on. I even went as far as checking the compression stroke with TDC and the cam lobes. Just to reduce the possibility the crank jumped exactly 180 degrees....

I put a new set of plugs in there too after the coil pack. Fouled them up after two tries....

Only new thing is that now the CEL is staying on all the time now. So at least it is detecting something. I just won't know what until thursday when I get the Pocketlogger.

Any other sensors that might cause this?

Thanx, Duane