FiTech Frustration! Fuel pressure takes a dive once hot

[markw]

Yes, thank you!

 

[MultiBeast]

Hey guys! Sorry for the radio silence, I’ve been moving to a new house, with a bigger shop! Englewoodcowboy, that sounds awesome! I did replace the whole wiring harness at the same time as the fitech install. I may have to take you up on that offer if I can’t get this sorted here pretty soon.
And ok what’s this about the temp sending unit?!!! Because I finally got an email back from fitech regarding some data logs, reading :
Hey Taylor,

I noticed on the 2nd DATA LOG there is a fault code for Coolant Temp Sensor
High.

Also I did notice that you are running pretty lean, you may want to richen
your target AFR.

What is yours set at.


Bryan R.
951-340-2624
Fitech Fuel Injection
12370 Doherty Dr


That part was not replaced with new unit. And mind you the thing ran completely fine for a week and a half until it was idling in my driveway for 15 mins in August...
So what’s the issue with temp sensors? I have yet to see that anywhere

 

[MultiBeast]

What is the Delphi replacement #?

 

[bronkenn]

I believe it to be 213-928

 

[englewoodcowboy]

The sensors they send mostly work but are way out in calibration. Mine would show my engine at 170 when it was at 190... not terrible according to them as they are looking at a set number to switch the unit from warm up to idle program and another to set from closed to open loop. As a quick side note, I also replaced my 185° T Stat with a 195° one and it made a big improvement in driving and economy. The perfect temp for fuel burn is 210° so a 195° puts us much closer to that. Carbs it is hard to tune for etc. so they are run at a much safer temp with the loss of performance expected.

Now if you decide to take me up on my offer, please plan ahead with me. I am here every weekend however we are burning the midnight oil to get everything ready for Super Cel this year. Just let me know what weekend etc. and plan on getting here early. I am certain I can get you sorted out.

 

[MultiBeast]

Englewoodcowboy. I looked you up, your 3:40 from me here in Raleigh. I hear ya on super celebration, wish that was on my radar- maybe next year... Anywho, it’s really what works for you. I just moved into a new house and have plenty to keep me busy at the moment. But I could get away sometime next month or even after super cel.
The guy who did the wiring harness for me and helped with fitech install is going to look at it again on Tuesday. And the fitech guys are supposed to call me on Tuesday as well. I’m so ready to go blast up some fire roads in this thing!

 

[markw]

Well MB it appears the second Fitech in tank fuel pump failed. Wiring seems solid but being checked for gremlins. Will call FT in the morning to see about getting anew pump on warranty. This is getting old.....

 

[englewoodcowboy]

Feel free tomorrow give me a call tomorrow sometime. 276-250-1690

 

[MultiBeast]

Update: englewoodcowboy had some fabulous insight into my issue. After our chat I pressurized my exhaust system with smoke to check for any leaks. Turns out the collectors on both headers have a decent leakk between all the tubes. I checked for intake leaks and was all good there. Ordered new stainless headers and will be mounting o2 sensor in one of the collectors. Hopefully that will solve my issue!!!!

 

[markw]

Well MB we are up and running. Redid some wiring, couldn't tell you what exactly. Replaced in tank Fitech fuel pump. Still in the tuning stage but so far so good. Seems ANY electrical discrepancy will throw it off. I don't know why it killed two pumps.

 

[jmhend]

Update: englewoodcowboy had some fabulous insight into my issue. After our chat I pressurized my exhaust system with smoke to check for any leaks. Turns out the collectors on both headers have a decent leakk between all the tubes. I checked for intake leaks and was all good there. Ordered new stainless headers and will be mounting o2 sensor in one of the collectors. Hopefully that will solve my issue!!!!

All good points. May I offer my .02? Good.....

I had the same Fuel pump and had the exact same issue. I called FiTech and they were less than helpful because I was inly running their pump. So, long story short the pump will not work well if it is mounted above the tank (the pump needs to work as a gravity fed pump. So it has to be mounted lower than the inlet from your tank. I changed the pump to an AEM-380LPH and my problems went away in a matter of seconds.

I also recommend (if you are not already doing so) running a pre and post pump fuel.

Vendor Link:
https://www.aemelectronics.com/articles/aem-releases-380lph-high-flow-high-pressure-fuel-pump


Summit Link:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI36rcp_yp4QIVj4TICh3FbwG1EAQYAyABEgKfxPD_BwE

I will also send you a PM with my number if you want to chat about it more.

Jason

 

[MultiBeast]

That’s actually the pump I’m running right now. I have everything back together, just need to finish mating new header to exhaust and check for leaks. Will post back here by the end of the week!

 

[markw]

MB, our saga continues as well. It became clear the fuel pump would quit when a certain temp was reached, 220. Tested it several times after ruling out every other possibility. Called Fitech and the tech said the unit is failing when heat soaked, remove send in for test and repair. Got the RMA and will get that out this week. Sure sounds like what you're dealing with as well. Mark

 

[MultiBeast]

I don’t think mine is fuel related at all. My initial fuel pump issue was just a faulty fitech inline pump. Swapped it to the above mentioned summit pump and have not had a fuel pressure issue since. I really should retire the thread!!!
My issue now is it just runs like crap. But I think I’m about to have it sorted. I had a MAJOR exhaust leak on both headers at the collectors. The old steel hookers on there finally rusted through. I think that’s why it ran fine in the heat of the summer and gradually got worse as it blew more rust out of collectors and the air got colder. Have new ball and socket flanges in order now, once they come in on Wednesday I’ll get everything welded back up. Hopefully I can stick a fork in her after that!!! Mark, that sucks but at least you’ve narrowed your source of headaches

 

[markw]

Yes, the enemy you know is better than the one you don't! Keep the thread going or start a new one, I want to know how your adventure turns out.

 

[nickgp]

Only advice I can add is that if you stay with it and sort it all out, the system runs just fine. I had to enlist some help to sort mine out and it runs just fine now.

 

[jonpblewis@yaho]

Just read through this thread as I also am having problems with my Fitech. Could you have hard to find vacuum leaks at the intake gaskets from the bottom inside the valley? Maybe losing seal when hot. This could cause the Lean issue, falling on its face under load, and possibly then cause ECU to dump fuel trying to maintain target AFR that then drops fuel presser? Maybe IAC stepper stuck open-malfunction? Not sure Just trying to look outside the box for a second.

 

[MultiBeast]

Sorry mark, didn’t mean retire, meant rename- iPhone auto fill. No issues with fuel pressure anymore...! I’m definitely keeping it going till I figure it out. @jonblewis I’ve smoked the whole intake portion of the motor and have no leaks. If the headers don’t fix it then I will be pulling intake

 

[jmhend]

I don’t think mine is fuel related at all. My initial fuel pump issue was just a faulty fitech inline pump. Swapped it to the above mentioned summit pump and have not had a fuel pressure issue since. I really should retire the thread!!!
My issue now is it just runs like crap. But I think I’m about to have it sorted. I had a MAJOR exhaust leak on both headers at the collectors. The old steel hookers on there finally rusted through. I think that’s why it ran fine in the heat of the summer and gradually got worse as it blew more rust out of collectors and the air got colder. Have new ball and socket flanges in order now, once they come in on Wednesday I’ll get everything welded back up. Hopefully I can stick a fork in her after that!!! Mark, that sucks but at least you’ve narrowed your source of headaches

Glad the pump fixed the fuel issue. I fought this for weeks and several stranded moments when the "heating" failure could never happen close to my house in the neighborhood. I am really happy with that AEM pump it has performed exceptionally well.

had a second thought....

Good luck with the other issues. I wonder if the issues could be from the computer is still learning and it possibly learned all of the bad things when you had the pump and exhaust leak.

Not sure if you can do a factory rest on the learning, but maybe that is worth a try.

 

[73azbronco]

Yes please keep thread alive and please, when it is all fixed, put in one post with a blow by blow fix for the issue, thanks!!