Parked vehicle for a few months, now won't start

[wykgic]

A friend parked his 83 Tercel4wd for a few months over the winter (trip out of the country), and hasn't been able to get it to start since. The engine turns, but doesn't catch. We've replaced the battery, plugs & wires, cap & rotor, and no joy. The fuel tank was about 3.5 gallons short of full.

[keith]

The first two things to check are fuel and spark. Remove the air filter and open the throttle, you should see a squirt of fuel in the throttle area. If not, see if there is fuel in the bowl by looking at the window in the front of the carburetor. The fuel should be halfway up the window. You may have to clean it first to see the fuel.

If the fuel appears to be ok, pull a spark plug wire and hold it close to the engine. Have someone turn the engine over while check for spark. I usually use an old spark plug for this test.

[splatterdog]

If it's no spark check the coil. My 84 did the same thing a few years ago after it took a few months off.

[thebigbread]

Carb maybe? check if there is fuel in the sight glass (old gasoline gums up when it gets old, maybe it clogged the carb).

When i bought mine, it had sat for 2 years.

[wykgic]

I can see fuel in the bowl, and it's at the mid-level of the glass. I didn't take the whole air filter case off, but I can smell some fuel. It does smell old and stale. I pulled the 1 plug wire, stuck an old plug in, turned the ignition, and got a few sparks. I decided to replace the fuel filter while I was in there, and the line from the tank is flowing. What was interesting this time, is when I first turned the engine, it seemed like it was ready to catch and roar, but didn't. I was hopeful for another try, but the next turn didn't have anything behind it. Some hope, but still no joy. Ideas? Thanks.

[ARCHINSTL]

Gasoline seems to deteriorate more rapidly each year.
I last filled my "mower" 2-gallon can in November when mulching the leaves. I forgot to add some StaBil. This April when I attempted to fill the mower, the screen in the can's spout clogged with gum - and this was less than six months after being fresh.
Tom M.

[thebigbread]

hmm... getting spark with the old plugs, so you should get consistent spark with your new ones.

Fuel smells stale? when exactly was it last run (before, of course, you started working on it)? my guess is a gummed up carb. that what was wrong with mine. its not hard to do, just take your time.

Anything else guys? hes practically replaced all the parts he should have, but thats all i can really think of.

[neonsport]

How much gas is in the tank? If it's less than a half tank, you may be able to dilute it enough to get by. Fill the bowl in the carb with fresh gas through the vent tube, then replace the spark plugs with a fresh set. See if the car will start. If it does, fill the tank with fresh gas and drive it.

[Typrus]

You may want to try putting in a product like SeaFoam in the tank and a bottle of Octane booster.

I've run 4 year old gas (when I first got the 84 going)

It didn't like it one bit, but it worked. And our gas is Ethanol-"enhanced".

I'd recommend that you get a can of Berryman's B-12 ChemTool spray and spray it down the vent tubes (little bronze/brass/whatever tubes in the barrels of the carb) and let it soak. A heavy saturation of it soaking for 10-15 min will break down most of the gum and varnish in the bowl (where the vent tubes lead) and allow things to flow again.
Also, you can try getting it to start with some carb cleaner down the barrels. If it catches then dies, its running off the vapors but not getting fresh fuel.

[thebigbread]

You may want to try putting in a product like SeaFoam in the tank and a bottle of Octane booster.

I've run 4 year old gas (when I first got the 84 going)

It didn't like it one bit, but it worked. And our gas is Ethanol-"enhanced".

I'd recommend that you get a can of Berryman's B-12 ChemTool spray and spray it down the vent tubes (little bronze/brass/whatever tubes in the barrels of the carb) and let it soak. A heavy saturation of it soaking for 10-15 min will break down most of the gum and varnish in the bowl (where the vent tubes lead) and allow things to flow again.
Also, you can try getting it to start with some carb cleaner down the barrels. If it catches then dies, its running off the vapors but not getting fresh fuel.

I dont know why i didnt think of B-12, its really cheap (autozone here has it for $1.40 a can) & it worked great for my wagon.

[wykgic]

Filling the tank did the trick, thanks! It was only about half full, so I topped off the tank. It didn't work right away, so I let it sit for an hour, gave the bumpers a little shake, and it eventually started. Didn't have to use any of the additives. Thanks for all the suggestions! Now, does anyone know how bad the brake hardware is after being parked for all this time?

[Typrus]

Wouldn't hurt to replace it.
New wheel cylinders and hardware kit for the rears and a teardown and lube of the calipers up front, accompanied by a good brake flush. Typically a good idea.