hit the key, truck won't start, just turns and turns. spray starter fluid in the throttle body for a few minutes, and it starts, and runs like a champ. pull the fuel line at the motor, hit the key, and gas shoots out the hose. replaced the pump, fuel filter, new battery cables, tune up parts......wtf could it be?

 

Even tho gas comes out of the line, there may not be enough pressure to run the engine. A fuel pressure check would be in order.

The injectors may not be firing. Check for voltage to the injectors. If voltage is present, and fuel pressure is sufficient, the computer may not be firing the injectors for some reason such as not detecting ignition pulses from the TFI module, defective computer, wiring problems. jd

 

crud or water in the fuel system!! Did you cut open the old fuel filter? If you still have it, open it up and see what kind of nastiness is in there. If they are cheap enough buy another one (cut open the one thats on there now) and tell us what you find. Suction out the fuel line after the fuel filter(towards motor) let it dry overnight or more, Fill up new fuel filter with brand new clean gas and give it a shot. A couple bottles of gas line dryer in the tank every now and then on an old truck will help solve alot of problems before they rear thier ugly head.

 

I *think* this truck has 2 fuel pumps. A lift pump in the tank and a hi pressure pump on the in side of the frame rail under the drivers feet area(behind a steel plate). One could be dying... After all, they are old enough to drink.
Or the fuel pressure regulator could be sticking.
I have yet to replace the fuel filter on my '85. I got one from the parts store, and it was the wrong filter. I have never been able to find the correct filter, and it is running fine with under 70K miles. If you eventually get fuel and it runs OK with full power (hah) at speed, then it is most likely a pump rather than the filter. Sometimes a pump with worn brushes will not fire off right away. It eventually will leave you alongside the road somewhere when the brushes get small enough to fall out of the brush holders.
Do you hear the pump run for about 3 seconds when you first turn the key to the ON position? There are two other things that can stop the pump, the inertia switch and the relay. The inertia switch is under the carpet right below the heater and the relay is behind the passenger side kick plate. On mine, there is only one relay.
tom

 

thanks for the pump heads up. sounds like that might be a problem. as far as getting the wrong fuel filter...is yours a drop in cartridge filter? if so, the Wix part number is 33266.

 

That is why I suggested a fuel pump pressure test. At least 30lbs necessary. jd