98 Ford Mustang Cobra

[anotheridiot]

I have a customer that collects cars. He has a 40 ford in his collection and now I learn he has a 98 cobra. He said the car has 98k miles. he leaves a battery tender on all his toys but the Cobra will not start the last time he tried since its up for emission testing. He said it turns over strong, but no fire. He cant smell fuel, dont know how much he could with the big plastic engine cover, but a mechanic he knows said there is a check valve in the fuel pump that might be stuck so beat on the tank with a mallet to see if it will free up.

I am trying to give him some better solutions. So since I am admitted not a ford guy, I thought I would ask if anyone had ideas. I gave him the basics of fuel pump fuse, found a pic of the relay on the right fender for the CCRM, and suggested a possible clogged and varnished fuel filter since he hadnt started in almost a year. I've known the guy for 20 years, he is around 70 so its not like he should be on his back under a car anyway. I offered to help scan it with my modis but have a feeling this is a problem that wont throw a code.

So any ideas would be appreciated.

[fast Ed]

Did the car get bumped sitting in storage, enough to trigger the inertia switch for the fuel pump maybe?


cheers
Ed

[Bamfster]

Sometimes it's the obvious that gets overlooked ..... not being a smart a$$, but is it out of gas?

[JOES66FURY]

year old gas I dont think is old enough to varnish a filter (my experience anyway)

I am with Bamfster, out of gas?

[A/Fuel]

Gas can get pretty bad, pretty fast here in the mid-west. I don't know where he's at, but it would probably start anyway. It wouldn't run good, but I would think it would do something. Can you take the gas cap off and listen for the pump?

[milner351]

Checking the fuel pump inertia switch is a great idea, I can't recall if it's in the trunk on those cars or not - but I think so.

- if you can't hear the pump wine when turning the key to the on (not start) position for a few seconds - the pump circuit has a fault. I believe the "prime" function triggered by key on is 2-3 seconds, just enough to hear if it's quiet in the garage.

[Barry Donovan]

the most pressure is regulate, the shut off.
it may think its all pumped up..

stuck in other words...seems similar to previous posts thoughts.

[anotheridiot]

Did the car get bumped sitting in storage, enough to trigger the inertia switch for the fuel pump maybe?


cheers
Ed

He knew about what I called a "pinto" switch. Did learn its in the door on the explorer he has too. So yes, its been rechecked.

[anotheridiot]

year old gas I dont think is old enough to varnish a filter (my experience anyway)

I am with Bamfster, out of gas?

Answer both, he puts BP Premium in all his cars and keeps them filled to the top. I always associated filling to the top or filling after the click a reason pumps go bad prematurely, but 98K I dont think its premature its past its service life, especially sitting in full tank of gas all the time.

[anotheridiot]

Gas can get pretty bad, pretty fast here in the mid-west. I don't know where he's at, but it would probably start anyway. It wouldn't run good, but I would think it would do something. Can you take the gas cap off and listen for the pump?

I was not even considering taking off the gas cap to listen to the pump when he was wondering how he would hear it. We are in Chicago so I know what you mean about bad gas. I know if a chevy doesnt start the fuel pump automatically shuts off after a few seconds, so I dont know if the ford did not remake the circuit. Dont know if ignition fail or pump fail comes first. I figure its easiest to take a timing lite with and just see if the plugs are firing and eliminate ignition. Otherwise the alley mechanic in me is gonna want to disconnect the fuel filter and see if its pumping if we cant hear it. just dont know if theres gonna be alot of spray if it is over pressurized.

[A/Fuel]

I'm in NW Indiana and am in the prosess of replacing a pump too....Hmmmm

[Russell]

On late 80's early 90's fords the fuel pump "primes" every time your turn the key from off to run. I do this a few times when the fuel system is opened to build pressure back in the rail. I would think you could hear it from the driver's seat if you just open the door. Just turn the key to run not start/crank to hear the fuel pump.

[Whelk]

There should also be Shraeder valve on the fuel rail. It should show about 40 psi if the pump is working. You might also pull a plug wire and see if there's any spark.

[anotheridiot]

Finally saw him again, took it to a shop and it was the fuel pump. The one thing I was wrong about was the mileage. It wasnt 98,000, its 9800. Bought this from the showroom and drove a few sundays the past 10 years after really miling it up the first two lol.

He wants someone that will enjoy this car to buy it, but there really is not a comparable car out there to price it. He shocks me at the price he thinks he will ask for it, I think it should be far over 20, even tho a 98 is probably not a big choice for people looking for cobra's. Any idea on price for a pristine 98?

[Russell]

I would sign up for every mustang / cobra / svt message board and advertise it, for a high price, if no one bites put it on ebay. Glad you found the fuel problem.