Quote:
Originally Posted by mbzjag8090
You are saying it is going flat from trying to start it? That surprises me because I have only tried to start it maybe 4-5 times. So you both think it is the air in the lines which is the problem? I'll bleed the air via the plastic screw pump. When will I know when to stop pumping the thing? Thanks
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Jacking the car up didn't drain a battery by itself. My suspicion would be that the battery was already in marginal condition (if it's more than 3-4 years old, it's suspect; if it has ever been "Deep cycled" -- run completely dead due to headlights being left on, etc, it's also compromised) and so it didn't take much cranking to use what capacity it had left. Starting is the highest amperage requirement that will ever be placed on a battery.
If you listen carefully, you will hear a relief valve opening inside the engine when the pump has done all it is going to do -- sounds sort of like a squeezing, squirting noise -- it's hard to describe but you'll notice it. It may not take long at all for this to happen -- 15-30 pumps at most -- because the pump does not bleed the entire fuel system. If the air is in the metal lines themselves going to each injector, the pump will be ineffective at bleeding because it doesn't push fuel that far.
If this is the case, then the only options for bleeding the system are either extended cranking intervals (30-45 seconds at a time, 5-10 minute cool down period in between, maximum of 2-3 attempts) or else what most people would do -- loosening the fuel line nuts one at a time, cranking until fuel comes out the line, and then retightening.