I have a 1994 van with a 318 engine. I haven't used it in quite some time so I took out the battery. The van ran fine when I last used it. I put the batttery back in but now it will not start. I can start it on starting fluid but it will not run once that is used up (2 seconds or so). It's not getting gas. HELP!!!! I need to get the van back on the road so I can carry my new power wheelchair.

 

how long is is a long time. There is a possibility that if you didnt use some kind of fuel stabilizer that the fuel has gone bad.The pump could be bad, check for presure at the rail.

 

Since it will start with starting fluid, your electrical and ignition circuits are likely good. The problem is probably fuel related like IGadget said, and you'll first need to see what you have for fuel pressure. Without knowing that, you'll just be grasping at straws.

 

How do I and where do I check the pressure? Is it as simple as taking off a hose and seeing if gas comes out when cranking?

Thanks everyone.

 

You have to remove the engine cowl and onthe fuel rail leading to the injectors there is a fitting. A pressure gauge goes onto this fitting and will read the PSI when you turn the ignition on and the fuel pump powers up. Just pressing in on the fitting and seeing if fuel is coming will confirm that there is pressure, but itwill not tell you if there is enough pressure to run the engine. There is also a return fuel line in the same area that has to be pinched off with pliers during the test to see if the PSI reading changes.

 

If the pump is bad is there a way to put an in line electric pump in foregoing droping the tank and all that?

 

Is this what the pump looks like? I attached 2 files with pictures.

Thanks

 

Yes, that's an in-tank fuel pump, and yes you can install an in-line electric pump.

 

Is it just a matter of getting an electric pump and cutting the line from the back to the front? I've installed electric fuel pumps years ago in VW buses that I had but haven't worked on anything as new as my 1994 van.

 

That's pretty much it, except that you will also have to install an in-line fuel filter and bring the power wire over from the old pump to the new one.