Olds 88 Won't Start - Solved!

[89OldsRocket]

Olds 88 Royale has been sitting a week in the freezing weather, no problems until now but won't start.

Turns over fine, battery has lots of juice, seems to just about get going. Pump primes up, seems to have spark, had a similar experience a few years back and the roadside assistance guy unscrewed the valve cover on the top fuel rail and I think pushed the needle to see if there's fuel - is this a way to check for fuel pressure in a pinch without a gauge hooked up and do I need the key in the "on" position?

[MKMike]

You can take the black plastic cap off the Schrader valve on the fuel rail but it will only tell you if there is fuel and any pressure---not how much pressure.
The fuel should squirt, rather than dribble, so that can be a clue as to the pressure.
You can also remove the intake air temp sensor on the flexible rubber intake snorkel before the throttle body and spray a little starting fluid into the hole.
If it then starts and stalls, you'll know you have a fuel problem.

Was the car running well before this problem began?

[89OldsRocket]

You can take the black plastic cap off the Schrader valve on the fuel rail but it will only tell you if there is fuel and any pressure---not how much pressure.
The fuel should squirt, rather than dribble, so that can be a clue as to the pressure.
You can also remove the intake air temp sensor on the flexible rubber intake snorkel before the throttle body and spray a little starting fluid into the hole.
If it then starts and stalls, you'll know you have a fuel problem.

Was the car running well before this problem began?

Cars been running fine before this issue. Should I have the key in the on position when checking for a fuel squirt?

[96 SSEi]

yes the pump will prime in on position and if its good, it will hold the pressure one power is cut.

buget way to test this is push the valve with pump on and priming - take note of how fuel sprays...... then do the same with pump primed but in off position..........proper way is with guage that you can rent from parts places.......good luck

[89OldsRocket]

yes the pump will prime in on position and if its good, it will hold the pressure one power is cut.

buget way to test this is push the valve with pump on and priming - take note of how fuel sprays...... then do the same with pump primed but in off position..........proper way is with guage that you can rent from parts places.......good luck

Was going to check the pump today and decided to try one more time to start after the Olds being in the garage for a few days - started first try!

Will fill it up with mid grade gas and add gas line antifreeze and hope it doesn't happen again. Thanks for the help!

[Merrillspontiac]

Just fill it up with regular.

[SSEBonne4evr]

Dry gas has cured many ills with the ethanol in gas these days.