2000 Continental - No Fuel Pressure - Fuel Pump?

[wildrage]

My 2000 Continental had a coolant lead a 2 months ago, so I decided to park it and start using my Mark VIII.

Well I went to start it today, and the starter turns, and the engine sounds like it wants to start, but it's getting no gas. I pressed on the schraeder valve and got absolutely nothing (not even a hiss). I checked the reset switch and it wasn't tripped.

Changed the fuel filter today (figured it was the simplest possible problem), but still no fuel pressure.

My big question is - would a faulty crank sensor cause the fuel pump to shut off? Also, is this sensor in a location that could have been shorted out by the coolant leak? Its hard for me to believe that the leak (bad water pump) was completely unrelated. Just want to know, because I'd rather not buy another sensor if I don't need to.

My plan of attack was going to be:

1. Fuses (checked ok)
2. Fuel Filter (replaced)
3. Crank / Cam sensors (will replace if it effects fuel pump)
4. Fuel pump relays
5. Fuel pump (such a PITA job - trying to avoid if possible).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[velocityboy]

Well, I'm still learning my way through this car, so maybe someone will know better; but from what I've always gathered (and what the 99 Conti service manual is showing me too), the Crankshaft Position Sensor affects ignition, not fuel.

Beyond that, the pump should prime (i.e. pressurize the system) before you even start the car- before the crank even moves. So there should be some sign of fuel at the schrader valve.

You're sure you had the valve depressed deep enough? Some are pretty persnickety. I've been misled before (on the side of the road in another vehicle) by pressing the valve w/ the corner of a screwdriver, and not getting anything out of it. Only to return to it later with my actual fuel pressure gauge and got a good pressure reading.

That's about all I can offer right now.

Only other thing I might add is IF you wind up replacing the pump: get a good one.

Its been my experience that aftermarket Ford fuel pumps can be pretty iffy. Last two occasions:

'96 Ford van- replacement pump only lasted 3 months before it burned out.

'99 Continental- the fuel line on top of the replacement pump had a hairline crack in it where the plastic mold hadn't been joined correctly. Instant leakage on startup.

 

[wildrage]

Thanks for the info.

My thought is that there is no fuel pressure, since I got nothing when I replaced the fuel filter as well.....just some seepage of fuel out of it.

I'm looking at the diagram for the Crank sensor, and I'm seeing that it's right below the water pump - which I was having a pretty massive leak from. I still can't help but think that it has something to do with it.

I'm going to atleast inspect the crank sensor before I take the dive and replace the fuel pump.

I've dropped gas tanks before (1998 Mark VIII), and I agree that it's a PITA job. Atleast I don't think I'll need to drop the exhaust for the Continental - however the 1/2 tank of fuel that I have in the tank is going to SUCK.