Ok so I've been having trouble with my cav. Started about a month ago. It started off slowly where I would try to start the car after heavy driving (about 100 miles every weekday) and the car wouldn't start. It would sound as if the car had no gas in it yet I know it had gas. This all started every once in a while but started becoming more and more frequent. I last started the car Friday night to come home from work. That day I started the car in the AM, got to work, tried again 2 hours later and it had the problem. After 5 minutes I got it started but then it happened again later on in the day. This time it wouldn't start for 45 minutes. Now, through the weekend it has not started once.
Here is what happens. I turn the key and it keeps turning the engine over like it wants to start but it never fires the engine up. To test if gas was getting in the engine I sprayed starter fluid in the hose that connects to the air filter (except I sprayed it toward the engine, not the filter). I was able to get the engine to fire but it died right away, again making me think that fuel is not getting into the engine. I tried fuel injector cleaner but that didn't work. So would I be correct in assuming it's the fuel pump? I tried listening for it to turn on but I couldn't tell if it turned on or not. I do hear a noise like I always have when I turn the key coming from the dash. It happens when the fuel gauge goes up. I thought this was the fuel pump sound but maybe not. Either way, what are the most likely possibilities here? I'm thinking fuel pump but let me know what you guys think.
Oh and if it's the fuel pump, is that something I can fix or would it be best to take to a mechanic. I hear the cavs have the fuel pump in the gas tank which would be a bitch to do on my own. Thanks.
I had the the same problem with mine not all that long ago. It did happen to be my fuel pump, but my fuel filter was clogged also. So u could start with the fuel filter and if thats not it, its probally the pump. Changing the fuel filter is easy, the pump, not so much. It can be done, put with a lot of bad words being said, lol. One thing that might help, is dont be lazy like i did and leave about half a tank of gas, either drive the crap out of it or siphon it, but if it wasnt for the gas in the tank, it would have been a lot easier. Also, if u get one from a yard, get the whole pump assembly. I just got the pump and tried to install it in the assembly, broke some stuff, and had to go buy the whole assembly anyway. This is about all i can really help u with, but im sure there is some other guys on here that might be able to give u better info then me. Just trying to tell u the mistakes i made, so u dont make them. Good luck bro
probably the pump i have heard of 00+ doin this more then the older ones
JBO since July 30, 2001
