What needs to be done to a vehicle with fuel injectors that hasn’t been started in three years?
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Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. If the vehicle has been sitting for three years with the same fuel in it and hasn’t been started, then you may have some fuel system problems. Over time, the fuel changes and will start to solidify and turn into more of a varnish. That varnish type material can cause some serious damage to the fuel pump and fuel injectors and can even get bad enough to clog the fuel lines. I typically start by removing the fuel tank, cleaning it out and adding new fuel. I then disconnect all of the fuel lines and the fuel rail where the injectors are. Next, I use a pressurized fuel system cleaner to clean out as much of the system as possible. Once I get everything cleaned out, I start the vehicle. At that time it can be determined if any of the fuel system parts have failed. If you need further assistance, I recommend you have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect for possible starting problems on your vehicle and suggest an appropriate repair.
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Before installing the new fuel injectors, dip the fuel injector tip (sprayer end) into a small amount of engine oil. This will wet the seals, preventing leaks. If your new injectors came without seals, purchase new injector seals separately rather than reusing the old ones.
Depending on how long the engine has been sitting, you may want to remove all the spark plugs, add a few drops of oil into each cylinder, and crank the engine for a few revolutions before enabling the ignition, thus preventing a dry-start condition with the piston rings.
Prime the fuel system by turning the ignition on (Run position) for 30 seconds, but do not start the engine. This allows the pump to prime the system. Turn the ignition off, and then crank it for 15 seconds. If it does not start, repeat the first task and this one until it starts (cycle the key).
Studies have determined within 28 days of storage diesel fuel #2 begins to become contaminated and start to degrade. Diesel fuel can only be stored from 6 to 12 months on average — sometimes longer under the best conditions.
As mentioned earlier, when the injectors become clogged, they lose their ability to supply the necessary amount of fuel or create a proper spray pattern, but worse yet, the corrosive nature of carbon deposits literally destroys fuel injectors over time.
The ECU (engine control unit) uses sensors to work out the right time to fire the injectors and spray fuel into the combustion chamber. When the ECU activates the injector, pressurised fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber through the nozzles.
In order for the engine to effectively make use of this fuel: Fuel must be injected at the proper time, that is, the injection timing must be controlled and. The correct amount of fuel must be delivered to meet power requirement, that is, injection metering must be controlled.
Generally, we recommend that you clean your injectors every 15,000 miles. However, you could undoubtedly do it less frequently: about every 30,00 miles or once a year. You may also want to be careful about the gas you put into the vehicle and always check its quality beforehand.
A defective fuel injector won`t provide fuel to the engine when it isn`t running. The fuel injector will fail to provide fuel when the engine is turned off. This will cause the engine to heat up. In extreme cases, this might even cause the car to overheat.
Sitting cars can suffer from a variety of maladies, including stale gas, bad starter motors, seized engines, dead batteries, and corroded hoses, among a plethora of other things that can be affected by time and the environment.
If you`re getting ready to store your car for winter, or just don`t plan on driving it for several months, add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank before storing the car. That way, it will be that much easier to start your car when you`re ready to take it out of storage! Fuel stabilizer is easy to use.
Here`s What to Do Before Starting It. If you plan on leaving your vehicle, it`s important to know how to start a car that has been sitting for 2 years, 2 months, or even 2 weeks. Even after a few months, most modern cars can still be safely started – providing the battery still holds a charge.
To push start a fuel injected motorcycle, you`ll need to first ensure you have enough space ahead of you to push it. Then place it in second gear and hold in the clutch with key in the ignition and the engine start switch in the on position. Proceed to push it forward, release the clutch, then push the start button.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
What needs to be done to a vehicle with fuel injectors that hasn’t been started in three years?
ANSWER : Hello. If the vehicle has been sitting for three years with the same fuel in it and hasn’t been started, then you may have some fuel system problems. Over time, the fuel changes and will start to solidify and turn into more of a varnish. That varnish type material can cause some serious damage to the fuel pump and fuel injectors and can even get bad enough to clog the fuel lines. I typically start by removing the fuel tank, cleaning it out and adding new fuel. I then disconnect all of the fuel lines and the fuel rail where the injectors are. Next, I use a pressurized fuel system cleaner to clean out as much of the system as possible. Once I get everything cleaned out, I start the vehicle. At that time it can be determined if any of the fuel system parts have failed. If you need further assistance, I recommend you have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect for possible starting problems on your vehicle and suggest an appropriate repair.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
My car is stutter starting and vibrating
ANSWER : Hi there:
Anytime a vehicle sits for extended periods of time, multiple components are compromised and may need to be replaced or properly serviced. However, what you just described in regards to the shop you took your Toyota is not uncommon. Most ’shops’ (especially chains) complete repairs by throwing parts at them to see if it works. What should be done, and what we offer at YourMechanic.com is to complete a inspection first to determine what’s causing these issues. If you’re having problems starting the Toyota, have one of our mobile mechanics complete a car is hard to start inspection first. This initial inspection will save you time and money in the short and long term; and ensure you have the right parts and service completed to fix your vehicle’s issues.
My car stutter starts, but only after driving it for a few minutes.
ANSWER : Hey there. This may also be caused by what is called the fuel pressure regulator. This is a unit that helps to maintain the fuel pressure at the proper level. When this is not working properly, the fuel pump may be pumping properly, but the fuel may not arrive at the fuel injectors at the proper psi. When this happens, this can cause a lean fuel condition which may cause the car to hesitate, misfire, or stall. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the hard start problem and confirm which repairs are needed.
It will not start on starting fluid, it dies right away. Replaced fuel pump, fuel compressive regulator, and fuel filter
ANSWER : Hey there. If the motor will only start with the use of starting fluid, this suggests you may have a fuel supply problem such as faulty or dirty fuel injectors. If you have replaced the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator, we can reasonably assume that you are getting the correct amount of fuel pressure through the system. You will need to check the voltage at each of the injectors to be sure they have the proper amount of power. You may also need to check them to be sure they are freely spraying the proper stream of fuel. If you would like to have this taken care of, a certified pro from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting issue and follow through with a fuel injector replacement (or any other repair) as needed.
Installed new delphi fuel pump and fram fuel filter. still no pressure on fuel rail valve and wont start. 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
ANSWER : Hi there – I suspect you have weak power getting to the fuel pump. I would first check the voltage coming out of the fuel pump relay. If the contacts in the relay are burned, you will not get reliable current flow to the pump. Check the fuel pump ground as well (voltage drop across the ground, not just continuity). I recommend a fuel system inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
My Blazer will crank over but not start by itself. It needs starting fluid to start.
ANSWER : Hi there. If you have not replaced your EGR valve, mass air flow sensor or the TPS on your Blazer, you might want to start with these repairs. It is also possible that the throttle body itself is damaged, especially if you’re able to start it on fluid. If you want to avoid chasing parts and repairs, the best solution may be to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
Fuel Pump replaced now car won’t start 2007 Saab 9-3
ANSWER : Hi there – the story certainly doesn’t make sense. Excessive fuel pressure won’t "ruin an injector", although it will certainly leak and cause high fuel consumption, as well as a rough idle and rough running. Check for problem codes, whether the Check Engine light is on or not. Most auto parts stores will do this for free on a time-available basis. I would get a 2nd diagnostic opinion via a fuel system inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
