How To Test The Fuel Pump (2004-2008 3.5L Chevy Malibu And Pontiac G6)

TEST 2: Using Starting Fluid To Diagnose A No-Start Condition

In case you don't have a fuel pressure test gauge handy, you can use starting fluid to check to see if your Chevy Malibu (Pontiac G6) is not starting due to a lack of fuel.

It's not the most accurate way of testing a bad fuel pump but it can definitely guide you in the right direction. And I can tell you from personal experience that it's one of the first tests that I do when I'm testing a no-start problem.

IMPORTANT: For this test to give you an accurate test result, you need to make sure that all six cylinders are getting spark.

These are the test steps:

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 step 2.

2. 2

   Spray starting fluid down the bore of the throttle body. After spraying a good squirt of starting fluid, quickly reconnect the air duct to the throttle body (you don't have to tighten the hose clamp).

3. 3

   Have your assistant 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 did not start, not even momentarily. This test result confirms that the no-start condition is NOT due to a lack of fuel from the fuel pump.

CASE 2: The engine started but died after a few seconds. This test result tells you that your 3.5L Chevy Malibu's no-start condition is being caused by a lack of fuel.

More 3.5L V6 Chevy Malibu And Pontiac G6 Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 3.5L V6 Chevy Malibu (Pontiac G6) tutorials here: GM 3.5L V6 Index Of Articles.

Here's a list of articles you'll find there:

• How To Test The Engine Compression (2004-2007 3.5L Chevrolet Malibu).
• How To Do A Cylinder Balance Test (2004-2007 3.5L Malibu).
• How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (2004-2007 3.5L Malibu).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (2004-2008 3.5L Malibu).