I have a 1995 SL with 180K miles.

I recently got a bad tank of gas. After getting the water out, then adding a bottle of HEET for good measure, it still wont start. I checked the plugs, and have good spark in all.

Questions:

1. I hear the fuel pump when I first turn on the car. I've disconnected the fuel line downstream from the fuel pump to clear the water. When turning the key, the pump will run for about 3 seconds then stop. I did this several times until the fuel was water free. Is this normal for the pump to stop after a few seconds?

2. If this is normal, any ideas why the car still isn't starting?

 

It's normal for the pump relay to stop the pump if the engine doesn't start. Did you remove all of your plugs and spin the engine to get any suspect water out of the combustion chamber? If not, try that. Make sure the plugs are clean and dry, then try a shot of starting fluid in the throttle body. If it fires off and dies, then you still have some kind of fuel delivery problem. That's about as far as I can get you.

 

The engine will catch for a few seconds, but not quite fire up all the way. I've tried starting fluid with a negative result. I've inspected, and changed some of the plugs, and they all look good.

It's not quite clear to me how the fuel pump functions with the fuel injection system:

Doesn't the pump need to run all the time to provide pressure and fuel to the
injectors?

Does the pump run while the starter is engaged (I can't hear it then)?

 

The pump primes the injectors for a start. If the engine doesn't start, the pump won't continue to send fuel to the injectors. This prevents loading the cylinders with too much fuel. Maybe you need to clean the throttle body. Perhaps it's still loaded with water. Don't use carburetor cleaner, make sure you get throttle body cleaner. There is a difference.

 

I'm working on a theory that the injectors are jammed with water/gas.

I'm going to work on a way to clear them.

 

Good idea....also work on a way to clear the lines of water, work on a way to clear the filter of water, work on the idea of clearing the fuel system of water.