My car started surging at WOT a long while back but I never figured out the problem. Well the car sits most of the time so the battery died. I tried to start it but it would just start if I had my foot on the gas. Eventually it would stay running then shut off. Now its staying running but the engine sounds like it wants to shut off at times? Does this mean my fuel pump is going and is it hard to replace? Thanks

Check what you have for fuel pressure at the rail.

Quote from: TGP Nick on August 05, 2009, 01:13:52 PM
Check what you have for fuel pressure at the rail.

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I am not very technical as far as cars are concerned how would i check this? Is this expensive to have replaced?

With the battery being dead...How did you start the car? Did you jump it off, charge the battery, or what? When a battery is dead on these cars, they're generally going to run like crap after being jumped off.

Quote from: unirok on August 06, 2009, 04:33:10 AM
Hi, Thanks for the reply. I am not very technical as far as cars are concerned how would i check this? Is this expensive to have replaced?

If you have some of the more common part stores(Autozone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly, etc.), you can rent a fuel pressure tester from them. It's free to rent, when you return it, you get your money back. Once you get the fuel pressure tester, pop the hood, and there's a "schrader valve" on the fuel rail near the intake that the tester screws on to. Tighten it down snugly, then turn the key forward to "ON"(do not start it yet). You should hear the fuel pump priming the fuel system(it'll make a "humming" type sound). Now go check the reading on the gauge. This is your key on/engine off pressure. The reading here should be between 40-47psi. Now start the engine and note the fuel pressure reading. It should be a few psi lower than the first reading. You might want to keep a rag or a few paper towels handy, some fuel will leak out when putting the gauge on and taking it off.

Here's a picture for reference. I circled the general location of the schrader valve and put an arrow pointing directly to it. It has a black plastic cap that covers it.

Thanks for the tips. I rented a unit from my local autozone and connected it to my car. reading was 40-42 both times so I guess the pump is working fine. The car just seems to feel like its stumbling sometimes like its not getting boost or there is some sort of pressure leak. It happens mostly at WOT but its been felt now at lower speeds as well.  I thought i might have a bad crossover but I smell NO fumes under the hood while the engine is running.

Oh I charged the battery over night and now the car starts right up without shutting off??? Guess a weak battery effects fuel getting to the engine?

yea these 2.8/3.1s HATE bad batterys. I coudlnt even get my freind 2.8 Cavi to stay running when the battery was low. It turn over and start but spudder and shake and surge and stall. lol