TeamSwift

So I picked up a 98 Firefly with 155k Km on it for $400. It had been sitting for over a year. It would start and run great for up to 30 seconds then die out like it was starving for fuel. As long as I manually sprayed accelerant (my case brake kleen) into the throttle body or pumped the gas pedal, it would run but when I stopped it slowly died out. I contacted the guru Mr. Mullet and he told me to do a compression check. I could tell by the way it ran when it did run that compression was not an issue.

Okay, it's a fuel delivery issue. Started working through the system, when I removed the fuel line coming from the tank I turned the key on and got a weak dribble. Blew out the lines and they flowed freely. Must be a weak pump because it didn't sound like what I'm used to from these cars. I replaced the pump with a brand new one and it made no difference. I then replaced the sending unit/ fuel pump mount that bolts to the top of the tank and has all the connections coming off it, purring like a kitten. I now have a spare fuel pump.I then sold the car to a friend who was in need of a good running car but her minimum wage meant she could only afford a beater. She got it from me for cost of car and parts ($700) and has been driving it trouble free since the start of winter (end of October here). If you are having a similar problem don't go thinking it's the fuel pump right away. Sorry no pictures, I didn't have a camera available at the time.

An update,

It's now been well over a year of driving with no problems.

good success !

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Silver 2000 Firefly 4DR; 16V SOHC, 3 to 5 speed swap, install PS and AC, remote and auto start, PL, PW, kill and start switch, Valentine 1, behind-bumper CAI, 55MM TB with coolant-bypass, polyurethane-fill engine/shifter mounts, modified to short shifter, upgraded electrical system, CS130 alternator, 90/160W headlights + relay mod, ceramic H4 plug/harness
To do: finish stereo, 4000K H4 HIDs, short block replacement
'sponsored' by Captain Crunch, Lordco, Felpro, Permatex, Royal Purple

Another update.

Over 2 years and still purring along.

Still going strong. I had to replace the TPS though about 2 months ago.

Nothing like keeping a post alive. But you never did say what the problem was.

Edit
never mind. Maybe I should read it better. Bet you it was a bad ground or power point. I always clean them when I drop the tanks.

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92 geo metro 1.0L 5 spd. 2 dr Soon to be my turbo swap car. (Dragonfly) sold
91 pontiac firefly, 1.0L 2dr auto. stock. (The crap can) sold
91 chevy sprint. 1.0L 5 spd. My first turbo swap. (Red rocket) now the purple nurple
95 geo metro. 1.3L auto parts car. (Scrap)
91 chevy sprint turbo, blueboy keeping it "stock"

Ya. Juse reread it. Hard to see on my phone.

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92 geo metro 1.0L 5 spd. 2 dr Soon to be my turbo swap car. (Dragonfly) sold
91 pontiac firefly, 1.0L 2dr auto. stock. (The crap can) sold
91 chevy sprint. 1.0L 5 spd. My first turbo swap. (Red rocket) now the purple nurple
95 geo metro. 1.3L auto parts car. (Scrap)
91 chevy sprint turbo, blueboy keeping it "stock"

Agreed

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98 swift 1.6 16v swap
03 cobra bolt ons
97 3000gt vr4 e85, high comp, bolt ons
too many others to list