Questions and Answers

1979 Cadillac El Dorado Q. A 1979 Cadillac El Dorado fuel injected 350, which I cannot get started. The vehicle had been idle for the last five years so the fuel in the gas tank is obviously very old. When gasoline is introduced directly into bowl, the engine fires up immediately but will not continue running.

It seems to run only long enough to consume the manually introduced fuel. Thus the problem seems to be associated with the fuel system. I was able to obtain fuel system schematics but there is no index explaining the numbers on these. Any advice on what steps I should take will be appreciated. For what it is worth, the vehicle is in otherwise pristine condition.

A. I was unable to convert the files you sent but I'll try to help. There is a electric fuel pump in the fuel tank. It needs to run for 2-3 seconds when the ignition is turned on.This is called the 2 second prime. Fuel then goes up the line to a regulator which could be bad. The first thing to do is get a fuel pressure gauge and see if you have pressure. You will likely need to drop the tank to flush it out and replace the pump just to start!

If you need the schematics for the fuel system, you can get them in the reference section of your local Public Library.