1995 saturn

I need some help. I bought a used 95 saturn with ablown engine ( original
engine had a blown piston- odometer read(s) 83,000 miles). bought a used
engine and swapped the old out and fthe new in. new engine won't start. gets
spark ( simple ground test used); gets fuel to injector rail ( pulled line
loose ); pistons have compression ( did compression test ). now I admit I am
not a " mechanic" but this is the third car that I changed engines on (
previous- 85 cougar, 98 taurus ) got them to work -thought that this would
be nice project for my teanage son and me. any thoughts where I might look
to find the problem?? what happens is the engine turns but won't start.

 

Just to be sure try a "little" Starting Fluid. If it hits on that then
you know you have a fuel delivery problem.

 

By which I presume you mean you pulled a plug and grounded it, then observed a
spark at the contact gap?

Just because fuel gets to the injector rail does not mean it's getting into
the cylinders...

 

thanks BlaBla. just as you said it appears in teh fuel delivery system. I
will try working that ...fuel pump " whirls" but it does seem to be a little
low in pressure at the injector rail.....

 

any suggestions Doug on how I might proceed?

 

Get a fuel pressure gauge and measure it.

 

Pull an injector, and make sure it's clean -- fuel won't get through a clogged
injector.

Check your fuel pump pressure and compare to specs. If you don't already have
a Chilton or Haynes manual for the car, it's time to get one. Try eBay --
that's where I got mine, quite a bit less than half price.

And, as one other poster suggested, give it a little shot of ether (starting
fluid) and see if it lights that off. If it does, your problem is definitely
in the fuel system. If it doesn't, the problem is probably in the ignition
system.

 

The best thing to check flow is to do a pressure drop test. One would
need a fuel pressure gage (30 bucks) a tool used to pulse the injectors
(80 bucks). Like so
Cyl 1: run pump-take reading-fire injector-take reading
Cyl 2: run pump-take reading-fire injector-take reading
Cyl 3: run pump-take reading-fire injector-take reading
Cyl 4: run pump-take reading-fire injector-take reading

He did, its a fuel problem... Its either pressure or no command from the
ecm to pulse the injectors.

 

A better question is what he did with the engine that he's not using

 

finally got it running well- it was the fuel pump AND coolant sending unit (
controling fuel mix)..thanks fo rall the help!!