Please help. 03 alero engine issues

[Desniper]

Hello my name is Clint. About a month ago our alero randomly lost power. Computer shows a "Bank 1 system lean" faultand recommended by a dealer was replace the fuel pump. Well that didn't work. After it gets to normal operating temps and we kill the engine starting it up it slogs and chugs and you have to repeatedly feather the gas until it the engin gains rpms and have to hold it there for 20 seconds or so. It pushed me off one day and I threw my cold water at the engine and it soaked the fuel rails and injectors. Bad idea I know on a hot engine but it reminded me of my old Corolla and it vapor locked so I cranked it right up and she ran fine. Still no power. Now I carry a bottle of water with me to cool the fuel rail and injectors and it cranks every time like it is truly vapor locking so the question is Should I replace the injectorsor the fuel rail? Dealerships are out of the question cause me and my baby are expecting our first child and wanna try nd save as much as possible. Any suggestions will help greatly. I'm very mechanically inclined as I worked at a dealership before my 10 year stint in the Army. So no chore is to small. But the dealers here are telling me it's the fuel pump. Another tells me no it's the filter and another one again wants me to replace the whole fuel system. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[bellaCuba]

What size engine? Do you have access to a scanner that views live data & fuel trims?

[Desniper]

It's the 4 cylinder 2.2l and I've been reading that the upper flow O2 sensor could be it but it don't make sense I can cool the fuel rail and injectors and it starts fine. Just still has now power. And I don't have access to any diagnostic equipment anymore

[bellaCuba]

My 1st guess would be intake leak/intake gasket... then maybe PVC system. I would direct the water to the gasket area instead. THe fuel pump would've never been on my list because pressure checks woulld've told me otherwise. Misfires can also cause lean conditions, so you may want to check your plugs & condition of wires or boots, whichever is applicable. Without any diagnostic equipment, it's playing guessing games.

[Tech II]

Seriously doubt vapor lock on a fuel injected engine.......

does sound like a vac leak........I would spray carb cleaner, around all engine joints to see if the idle is affected....

Another quick check is pull the vac line off the f/p regulator and look for fuel in the line..........

[bellaCuba]

+1^ Tech II
That fuel regulator check is a good call too.

Personally, I don't like using carb cleaner because it's flammable but we all have our ways of doing things. lol

Water = should bog down, Carb cleaner = RPMs should rise or definitely change (try to avoid spraying near Alternator though)