How To Test The Fuel Pump (1989-1993 3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile)

Using Starting Fluid

How To Test The Fuel Pump With Starting Fluid (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 3.3L V6 Buick Century, Skylark, 3.3L V6 Oldsmobile Achieva, Calais, Cutlass Ciera)

Using starting fluid, to confirm a lack of fuel causing a no-start problem, hails back to the days when cars had carburators.

Although it's not the most accurate way to troubleshoot a failed fuel pump in a fuel-injected vehicle, it will let you know if the no-start problem is due to a lack of fuel.

IMPORTANT: To get the most accurate test result from the starting fluid test, you need to make sure that all spark plug wires are sparking before starting the test. Test all 6 spark plug wires for spark with a dedicated spark tester if you haven't already.

OK, this is what you'll need to do:

  1. 1

    Remove the intake air duct from the throttle body.

    You don't have to completely remove it, since you'll have to reconnect it in one of the next steps.

  2. 2

    Open the throttle manually, and spray starting fluid down the bore.

    When you have sprayed a good squirt of starting fluid, quickly reconnect the air duct to the throttle body (you don't have to tighten the hose clamp).

    Reconnecting the intake air duct is a very important safety precaution in case you get a back-fire thru' the intake manifold.

  3. 3

    Crank the engine once the intake air duct is back on the throttle body.

  4. 4

    You'll get one of two results with this test:

    1.) The engine will start momentarily and after a few seconds will die.

    2.) The engine will only crank but not start at all.

OK, let's find out what your results mean:

CASE 1: The engine started and ran for a few seconds. This means that the reason your car is not starting is due to a lack of fuel.

I suggest that your next step be to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure with a test gauge. For this test go to: Using A Fuel Pump Pressure Tester To Test The Fuel Pump.

CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This usually means that a lack of fuel IS NOT the reason your car is not starting.

Now, remember what I said about this test not being very accurate? Well, I suggest you do one more test and this is to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure with a test gauge. For this test go to: Using A Fuel Pump Pressure Tester To Test The Fuel Pump.

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Buick Vehicles:

  • Century 3.3L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Skylark 3.3L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Oldsmobile Vehicles:

  • Achieva 3.3L
    • 1992, 1993
  • Calais 3.3L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991
  • Cutlass Ciera 3.3L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993