1982 244 died while cruising fine at 55mph.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 13 Apr 2012, 12:13

I have found lots of useful information on this site, but have not posted much at all until now. I am the second owner of a 1982 244DL with about 96K miles. The car had been meticulously maintained, and I drove it for a couple of years without any problems. I replaced all the plugs, wires, distributor cap, etc, and everything was still fine.
One day while going 55mph, it just quit all of a sudden, and would not start back up. It has been sitting for about 2 years.
I have replaced the fuel pump relay, and taken the in tank pump and sending unit out. I replaced the short piece of hose between the two pipes. It was almost gone. The sock is not perfect, but there are no big holes I could see. I have also replaced the fuel filter under the hood. The plugs are getting good spark, and the timing belt is not broken. When I jumper the two under dash fuses, I can hear a humming noise. The car does not even sound like it is trying to start even though it turns over fine. Any ideas? Thanks for any help you can give. I am a decent backyard mechanic, but need a little guidance because I have to fix this car as cheaply as possible, and don't want to just start replacing parts til something works. Please let me know if you need more information.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 13 Apr 2012, 17:02

I can get the main fuel pump under the car in front of the right rear wheel to work, but it's too noisy to hear if the in tank pump is working.

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Apr 2012, 11:21

As you have already had the in-tank pump out you know the way into it. Get as close as possible and have someone else switch on the ignition as it will only run momentarily if the engine is not running. If you don't hear it check fuse #4 before pulling the pump. If the main pump is very noisy it is an indication that the in-tank pump isn't working as well as it should.

The sock is not perfect, but there are no big holes I could see.

If the sock is deteriorating it needs to be replaced as small bits of the sock will be sucked into the fuel lines. In time they will block the filter and the pump. It was a 60,000 mile service item.

Bill.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 15 Apr 2012, 14:53

Thanks again for your help Bill. I took the in-tank pump out again, un plugged it, and tested it with a battery for a second. It spun over fine. Now, I guess I'm going to put a new sock on it and put it all back together. If it does not start then, should I be looking at the timing as a possible problem, or, are there more fuel related things to check?

Post by **billofdurham** » 16 Apr 2012, 11:35

As it died at 55mph it is possible the timing belt has decided to retire. As the engine is non-interference it isn't too serious as no damage should have occurred to valves and pistons.

Bill.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 16 Apr 2012, 19:47

I took the cover off of the timing belt, and it is not broken. This does not seem likely, but could it have jumped out of time while driving? My fuel strainer will be in tomorrow, and I will put it all back together and see what happens. Is it easy to check the timing? I have not done it before. Thanks.

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Apr 2012, 12:22

If the tensioner is weak it could cause the belt to jump a tooth or two.

With #1 cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke the timing marks should align as in the attached.

240 timing marks.pdf: (98.23 KiB) Downloaded 186 times

Bill.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 19 Apr 2012, 17:58

Bill, I put the pump back in the tank with its new sock on. Only one sock. I could hear both pumps running once I disconnected the black buzzer box under the steering wheel. I turned the crank manually until the timing marks were aligned, and took the distributor cap off. the rotor was pointed at the number one plug. Then, I put all that back together and tightened the two outer fan belts so they would not get slung around. I tried to start it, but nothing. A little starter fluid sprayed in the intake hose, and it will start for about one or two seconds, then die. Next, I took out two of the plugs, and they were dry as a bone. I'm wondering if I could have a clogged fuel filter (the one next to the windshield on the driver's side). Or, could it be the filter-like thing under the car next to the main fuel pump? Any suggestions.

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Apr 2012, 12:46

If the plugs are dry you have a fuel delivery problem. Bits of the old sock could have blocked the filter. I would change it to be on the safe side.

Bill.

Zeeman1 · Post by **Zeeman1** » 20 Apr 2012, 17:25

I took the under-the-hood filter off, and clean gas came out of both ends. When I turned the engine over with the filter off, no gas came out of the lines. Should there have been some gas at that point? Thanks.