changed fuel filter, checked pump, did plugs & wires, now what?

[DurangoGS-T]

moved the car about 8:00pm one night, started fine, etc etc. next day about noon the car wouldn't start. no idea why. following the "diagnosing a no-start" thread, i have changed the fuel filter (gas inside was black and brown), pulled the filter side of the rail and verified pump operation, pulled the FPR return line and it was wet with gas, put in an extra wire and plug and checked the coilpack for spark delivery, and changed the plugs & wires with NGK bpr6es @ .28 (of course).

the @*$&)# still won't start! it catches like it fires a few cylinders now and then and the starter sounds strong, but i don't try to start it for very long for fear of burning up the starter. i guess i could still check the resistance at the injectors, but wouldn't the car still start with 3 injectors? what are the chances of all 4 going bad at once besides the injector resistor pack going bad?

is my compression gone? the car is a '95 GST with ~168000 miles on it and has never undergone a full rebuild. should i jump to checking the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor? should i replace the FPR? I'm running out of repair paths..every time i finish something i think that it HAS to be it - i.e. black gas in the filter, SUPER fouled plugs, etc. and nothing works.

 

[tbonitz301]

Check you timing belt. Make sure you are in time. Also do a compression check

 

[DurangoGS-T]

just had the timing belt done at 159000k....ran for 8k miles without problems, and now there's a problem? is that likely?

 

[tbonitz301]

Did you have the tensioner replaced with the timing belt?

 

[DurangoGS-T]

yeah, the tensioner was the reason i had to get the belt replaced. i bought the car with 126k on it and i'd be willing to bet that the idiot who owned it before me never had it done. i should have had it done immediately but hey, i was in high school - live and learn, right? anyway yes, the tensioner and timing belt were BOTH replaced.

 

[tbonitz301]

You still might want to do a compression test. Just to rule out a few things.Also you might want to check your ECU, and see if it smells funny or open the case and look at it

 

[DurangoGS-T]

alright will do when i get a chance. my timeframe is pretty screwed thanks to school and work. on a side note, lets say it is the compression or ECU, how much $$$ are we talking about for repairs?

my buddy just came upon a '96 civic with a broken timing belt, he says if i help him fix it this weekend he'd part with it for $1000-$1500 or maybe less, as he bought it for $300. i'm keeping the eclipse as a project car for later in life no matter what..i just need to know if i should get another to car to get me through the rest of the semester.

 

[tbonitz301]

Its hard to say what your looking at for repairs since it could be a number of different things. Id say your probably looking at an easy fix if it just started this overnight.

 

[slcorman91]

If its the Ecu you should be able to find one for around $250 or so. Thats what I would be leaning towards. Have you checked to see if it is getting fire or fuel. I worked on a 1995 gst last summer and it just wouldn't start on the guy one day. I had it towed back to my garage and it turned out to be the crank position sensor. Hope this helps. Go ahead a do a compression check also. That will tell you a lot.