It's Dead! Please help

[Thunderbeast89]

On behalf of TCCOA (Thunderbird/Cougar Club of America) I would like to say Hello to all!

Let me try to make this quick:

I recently bought a 96 PLymouth neon, white, four door, 55,XXX mile 2.0L for better gas mileage.

My problems in chronological order:

1. I ran the car out of gas 3 weeks ago but was able to idle into a gas station. Ever since then the car has began to misfire.

2. Since then the misfires would occur maybe once or twice a day and only for one or two seconds.

3. I recharged the AC three days ago (with a known leak in it) and the problems have gotten worse since then. And yes, I understand that should have no effect on misfires.

4. Today I was driving to work and the misfire got worse and worse. When I pulled into the parking lot, the car was misfiring so bad I had to go full throttle just to make it to the parking space. I let it idle and opened the hood, the car eventually died after 5 minutes of idling.

5. An hour later I went out there and started the car, it went in reverse okay, but as soon as I put it into DRIVE to pull back into the parking space, it was misfiring A LOT.

6. Two hours later I go out there, drive it around the building and it works great, no misfires at all.

I pulled the codes : 12, 43, 43 and 55.

I understand what the codes mean, and I am mechanically inclined (I've built an engine or two) and am completely confused.

That car has had the head gasket done two or three times by previous owner. It recently had a tune up.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Brian Nelson

[Thunderbeast89]

And an update...I tried moving the car after 6 hours (I reset the PCM) and I only made it about 100 yards before it was misfiring so bad I had to turn it around and park it. My first post was yesterday's events. I haven't tried starting it yet today.

I am guessing it is a fuel pump? Considering it only started misfiring after I ran it out of gas, I probably killed the fuel pump making it work so hard.

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

[rice_eater]

Test the fuel pressure at the rail. should be 49psi, give or take a few.

After that, I would check the injectors, EGR valve and solenoid, and upstream O2 sensor, probably in that order too. EGR can fail without a code, generally the car will not sputter though, just falt out die, fail to idle, etc... A lazy or defective O2 could also send false readings and make the computer think its working while giving it incorrect readings. Injectors can fail without sending a code. Checking the plugs might not be a bad idea either... see whats really going on in there, rich, lean, and whatnot.

[Thunderbeast89]

Alright,

I believe I have some info. that will help you quickly narrow it down. I'm now 99% sure it is a fuel pump.

I was driving in a circle (wheel fully turned) to the right and there was no mis-fire. As soon as I started doing circles the other way, it was misfiring.

Now, I could have mixed up whether is was right or left turns that worked great, but I'm sure you will know- considering you most likely know which side the pick-up tube is on for fuel, etc.

I also did some research while searching about some kind of tube inside or outside the fuel tank that can rust and allow moisture in.

I am somewhat confident it is not that considering I can co circles in my car in one direction without misfiring, but I am open to all ideas.

[sohc98]

Im pretty sure that the pick up tube is on the passenger side of the tank, along with the fuel pump. And the filller neck is what rusts out and allows moisture in the tank.

[Thunderbeast89]

Have you guys ever heard of Python Fuel pumps? I have tried to send you guys a link to the site, but this forum will only allow me to after I have sent 5 posts or more.

Let me know if you guys think the Python Fuel pump will work. It is only $89, one of the cheaper ones.

I would spend more, but this neon is my secondary car. If you guys feel that Python makes junk, and I should buy a brand name fuel pump, I will definitely research it more.

Thanks again guys.

[Thunderbeast89]

Link for Python Fuel Pump to follow

[Thunderbeast89]

http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.com/catalog/?N=9211+11921&Vi=10025%201696%204294966981&mk=Plymouth&md=Neon&y=1996&Nr=OR(AND(make:Plymouth,model:Neon,year:1996),AND( universal:1))

[dodgeneonACR98]

Fuel pumps are fuel pumps man. Unless your building an engine and need a high output fuel pump. Just about any brand should do. I however would buy what ever brand has a lifetime or 3 yr warranty. That way it covers your a$$ if it breaks in a month or two.

[rice_eater]

I think spending $89 on a fuel pump that you have never heard of is completely dumb when you can get a Walbro 255lph pump for $99. Just my opinion.

[HoodooGuru]

Mmmmmmm walbro!

[dodgeneonACR98]

I think spending $89 on a fuel pump that you have never heard of is completely dumb when you can get a Walbro 255lph pump for $99. Just my opinion.

Since you put it that way I would have to agree. 10 bucks is nothing when you can be sure you got the good stuff.

[Thunderbeast89]

haha is that not exactly why I came here to ask? I searched on 4 or 5 major OEM car part sites and did not see this walbro you are talking about.

I will gladly buy a walbro over that p.o.s., if you show me where I can buy it, because I never saw one on any of the sites I looked at.

Everything was $200-$250

[rice_eater]

modernperformance.com