Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Broke something during UIM / LIM - now won't start

Originally posted by JBender:

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I perfomed the UIM / LIM cleaning and gasket replacement today on my mom's 1999 Contour SE Sport. The process seemed to go alright, although I had a hard time working with the injectors because mine didn't have any of the clips mentioned in the guide, so I took my time working them out of the fuel rail. When I put everything back together, and started the car, it ran for a few seconds but quickly died. When I tried to start it again, it was very loud and wouldn't turn over. I checked the engine and did not smell any fuel, so I tried a few more times with no luck then tore it back down to the LIM. When I opened the throttle body there was a strong smell of gas, which slowly dissipated by the time I got the UIM off. The only thing out of place I noticed when I tore everything apart and put it back together was a connector I forgot to plug in at the air box (so I plugged it in when putting everything together again). Second time around, it almost started the first time, but after that it kept making loud noises and wouldn't start.

Right now I'm not sure what to do. The only thing I can think of is either a) the disconnected air box sensor flooded the engine or something the first time around, or b) I broke one of the injectors. The reason I think I could have damaged an injector was because they weren't sitting right the first time, so I tapped a few with a hammer and a socket extension (seemed like a good idea at the time...). Could I have broken an injector this way, or is there possibly something else going on that I'm overlooking? I'm only in town a few more days for spring break, so I need to get this car running again. Thanks in advance for any help.

EDIT: Just did some searching, and I found a post where someone suggested holding the throttle all the way open while starting. It's a little late tonight, but I'll try this tomorrow morning.

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