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Starting a truck that has been sitting for years.


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Xenite
Novice

May 5, 2010, 8:37 PM

Post #1 of 11 (17100 views)
Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

My girlfriends father recently passed away, and they was wanting to get rid of his truck that has been sitting in the driveway for several years now.

It's a 1986 Chevy pickup, overall it's in great condition just been sitting to long.

I charged the battery because it wasn't cranking over, just clicking. Finally it started to crank over but sounded like it wasn't getting any fuel. I added new fuel to the tank and even gave it a few taps on the tank to make sure the fuel pump wasn't stuck. Still nothing, so I pulled off the air intake and dumped some gas directly into the carb. Finally the truck started up! For about five seconds. :(

I tried a few more times, but as soon as the fuel from the carb pan was gone the engine would quickly die. Pressing the accelerator did nothing, sounded like no fuel was being dumped into the engine.

So I am basically at the end of my automotive knowledge, does anyone have any ideas?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 6, 2010, 6:31 AM

Post #2 of 11 (17091 views)
Re: Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Sorry for the loss.

Truck: You've ruled it down to a lack of fuel delivery - great and would be expected with so much time. Here come the questions....

* How long?

* Is it really a carb or central fuel injected? Carbs used an engine mounted fuel pump. I'm not sure about guessing with that year as it's possible depending on which engine and other factors if it used a late carb.

* It fired up which is great as if it could run even the few seconds oil pressure was able to build (likely) to set the hydraulic lifters - some of which if long enough collapse from lack of use.

* Just info and not totally the main issue for now - was it sitting outdoors or in a garage of some type or some shelter?

T



Xenite
Novice

May 6, 2010, 8:26 AM

Post #3 of 11 (17086 views)
Re: Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

It's a Chevy Cheyenne, It's been sitting for about 6 years. He ruptured an aneurysm while pushing a motorcycle so both those and his truck sat idle since then.

The truck has been sitting outside in the driveway, which is inclined with the front pointing down (which can't be good for it).

I do know old gas tends to muck up the fuel system. When you press the accelerator it basically feels like pushing air, virtually no resistance at all.

I would be lying if I said I could tell the difference between a regular carb and it being central fuel injected. Had some automotive shop in high school but far from being a mechanic. :)

But I can show you a picture! http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq113/xenite227/?action=view&current=004.jpg

Also I mistyped the year last night, I believe it's around a 95 truck not 85. Still looking for the title but the engine intake and truck style makes it more likely to be a early-mid 90's.

The engine is a Vortec V6

Really hope I can get her running, she's a nice one and only 60,000 miles :)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 6, 2010, 9:03 AM

Post #4 of 11 (17081 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Sometimes this works to show the pic directly?



Pic may show direct now. That's a fuel injected engine, the part is the throttle body - at a glance you wouldn't know if not really into vehicles.

6 years outdoors is a LONG time for fuel and there will be other issues once running to tend to but let's get it running. WARNING - when it does run DO NOT TRUST THE BRAKES TILL PROVEN TO EVEN HOLD IT! TEST THEM SAFELY FIRST - they'll near certainly need attention but that's later for now.

Fuel has to be junk and luck of it is this engine is VERY fussy about exact pressure of fuel delivery.

First test is if quiet enough where it is, is to listen for the fuel pump 'buzz' in the tank when key is turned to run only - not start. It should buzz for a short while then quit. If not it will get more involved.

Truck looks nice from just an underhood pic so it's worth it to get running to keep or sell off.

At that amount of time I kinda suggest this go out to a shop that will dump all gas out, flush thru lines, new fuel filter, test out pressures, change oil and antifreeze, air to all tires and total brake inspection up to including new rotors and drums which will have a different amount of corrosion where linings meet rotors and drums respectively and probably won't machine out after so long!

You need to tell us how you wish to handle this. Farm out the work or sell it as is. The fuel issue would likely mean taking gas tank out which isn't so friendly for many folks to handle. Let us know - we can go as far as you want to get this safely running again,

T



Xenite
Novice

May 7, 2010, 3:24 PM

Post #5 of 11 (17068 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Thanks for the info. I went down today and picked up a fresh battery, other one couldn't hold a charge.

When I turn the key to turn on for the electrical systems, I don't hear any humming from the fuel pump. Heard a faint click sound from inside the fuel tank once, each time i tried but nothing more.

I talked to a local shop, they quoted me $640 to flush the tank/fuel system and replace the fuel pump. Fuel pump kit by Bosch would cost me $92.00 So I am thinking of changing it myself. This a repair you would recommended a weekend mechanic to do, or is it above my pay grade? :)

If you think it's something I could take on, am I leaving anything out or is it just a straight replace job with the kit?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 7, 2010, 4:30 PM

Post #6 of 11 (17066 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Don't waste your money with that Bosch pump. It's a waste of money. The only reliable brand for that truck is a Delco and even they have their share of problems. That price is actually pretty reasonable. You may regret attempting that job yourself. Removing the fuel tank is not fun.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Xenite
Novice

May 22, 2010, 1:33 PM

Post #7 of 11 (17038 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Well got the fuel tank replaced as well as the fuel pump and filter. As I thought that was the case, runs like a kitten now with plenty of power.

Took awhile, Pep-boys tried to charge me $260 for a used fuel tanks, said no way and got a brand new one for $108 with free shipping.

Bad gas never made it to the fuel injectors thank god. Changed the oil and added some Marvel Mystery Oil, All is good so far. :)

Now I just gotta find a good cleaner to get the damn 7 years worth of dust film of the windshield, everything I've tried so far hasn't worked. >_<


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 22, 2010, 1:39 PM

Post #8 of 11 (17033 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Get some extra fine steel wool and wet the windshield with glass cleaner and use light circular motions to loosen up the dirt and wipe it dry with a paper tower. If the glass cleaner doesn't cut it, try some lacquer thinner but don't get any on the paint.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



alienshadow
User

May 22, 2010, 1:47 PM

Post #9 of 11 (17031 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Try I 95 for that windshield.. Then when finish give her a good wash and waxing all over... Glad its running..




If you cant fix it then dont mess with it...
Unsure


Xenite
Novice

May 22, 2010, 1:58 PM

Post #10 of 11 (17029 views)
Re: 95 Chev Cheyenne Vortec 4.3, Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

Thanks for the ideas, going to wally world now to pick up some stuff to try and clean it. Finally got the windshield wipers off, the rubber had welded itself to the windshield after 7 years Laugh


mobfather09
New User

May 24, 2010, 9:05 AM

Post #11 of 11 (17016 views)
Re: Starting a truck that has been sitting for years. Sign In

that same thing happened to me and it was the t.p.s but it would be smart if u tried all the fuses






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