Will not stay running?

Tiny
ECLECTIC ECLECTIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 OPEL ZAFIRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above 1.8 z18xe. It starts and stalls. Fuel pressure is at 30 PSI low? Minimum 55 PSI. New fuel pump. Could I do the fuel return line pinch? If I press the accelerator a bit while cranking it stays idle. The fuel pressure regulator is in the pump. Thank you.
Monday, October 2nd, 2023 AT 4:24 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If you are able to make it idle when lightly pressing the throttle, it sounds like the throttle body bore needs cleaned or the idle air control valve needs serviced or replaced.

Understand, this vehicle isn't offered in the US, so I don't have the specifics, but based on your description, this is what I would try.

Here are two links that explain how to service both of the components I mentioned:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Try this and let me know the results.

Take care,

joe
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Monday, October 2nd, 2023 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
ECLECTIC ECLECTIC
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Yes, it was cleaned before. Could I pinch the return line? An EVAP line is broken but that shouldn't affect idle?
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Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If you have an EVAP hose that is damaged, it will likely create an engine vacuum leak. As a result, unmetered air enters the combustion chamber and certainly will cause a rough idle or stalling at idle.

If it is a vacuum hose, you can pinch it shut or plug it to see if that fixes the issue.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
ECLECTIC ECLECTIC
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
The fuel pressure regulator has a wire connected to it that goes to the negative if the fuel pump. Other regulators don't seem to have a wire? I'.
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Thursday, October 5th, 2023 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If there is no vacuum hose and it has a wire, then there must be a pressure sensor that controls it. Have you tried checking pressure before the regulator as you previously mentioned?

Joe
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Thursday, October 5th, 2023 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
ECLECTIC ECLECTIC
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
The fuel pressure was around 30 psi. I took the fuel pump out, bypassed the tank and connected the two fuel lines and have a bottle of gas under to check if it still has low pressure. It has your standard fuel pressure regulator but has a wire.
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Friday, October 6th, 2023 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Then it is an electronic pressure sensor. Please understand, I am not familiar with the vehicle. However, if you disconnect the wire to the regulator, what happens to the fuel pressure? Does it increase? If so, how much? Although the vehicles are set up differently, they basically all work the same, so this should be okay to do on this vehicle.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 6th, 2023 AT 8:30 PM

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