1992 240 wont start

[rmozer]

My 1992 240 has been sitting idle for about 6 months.The battery died so I put in a new one. I tried to start it and it won't. The engine cranks fine, but no start. I do hear the fuel pump relay under the dash click. It started without any problems 6 months ago.
Thanks.
Bob
LI, NY 11960

[Tsebast]

Pull spark plug out and crank it over and see if you have ignition. I'm not a mechanic, but that is the first step I would take...
Kind regards,
Tsebast

[98T5]

coil pack connected? check that. mine wouldn't crank one day, opend the hood and the wire to the coil was loose. squeezed it down with pliers. back to normal

[rgk]

Check for spark and fuel pressure. Six months is a long time for gasoline to sit in one place.

[rmozer]

When I turn the key to start, I hear the fuel pump relay click once and the fuel pump sounds like it starts. Then the relay clicks again and no more sound from the fuel pump. Is this normal? If I then turn the key to start, the engine cranks, but won't start.
What is the consequence of fuel sitting too long? and if that's the problem, how is it fixed?
Thanks.
Bob

[rgk]

The fuel pump relay will click and the fuel pump will prime, so the sounds you are hearing are normal.

Gasoline turns into varnish after sitting too long. Also, if your fuel tank sits for a long time and is under 95% full, moisture can create rust in the tank. You may need to drain your fuel, then clean or replace your lines, fuel tank and any associated components, such as your fuel rail and injectors.

Before you freak out though, try filling your tank with fresh fuel, and add a fuel cleaner, such as Seafoam. Add a whole bottle for a full tank. Change your oil and filter too, as your oil will have broken down. Then crank the engine a few times to let the fresh fuel reach the engine, but don't crank the starter for more than ten seconds at a time. Allow 30 seconds between cranks to prevent the starter from overheating.

If that doesn't work, check for spark at the plugs and other easy options before trying to tackle a crazy job such as replacing your fuel lines.

In the future, if planning on storing your vehicle, it is recommended to fill the gas tank completely and add a fuel stabilizer, such as Seafoam or Lucas.

http://community.cartalk.com/discussion ... ial-advice
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 523AAoUqbU

[rmozer]

thanks so much RGK.
I will give it a try and let you know what happens.

[rmozer]

OK...so I put in fresh fuel, added Seafoam to the tank, sprayed some starter fluid into the air intake, and I almost got it going. I think it was just the starter fluid that was firing and no gas flow? At least I know there's a spark going on. I used almost a whole can of starter fluid trying to get it to go.
The weather has been cold. Is it possible that there may be some water that froze in the tank or lines? Would some dry gas help at all?
How difficult is it to drain the tank if I have to go there?
Thanks.

[rgk]

Freezing water is highly unlikely. Dropping and draining the tank will be considerably difficult, especially in cold weather.

If fuel has turned to varnish, you will also have to clean and blow out the lines, and it might be easier just to replace them. In any case, you want to find out for sure whether the fuel has indeed turned to varnish.

The best thing to do at this point is to check your fuel pressure. You will need to disconnect your fuel delivery line at the engine and tie in a fuel pressure gauge, then reconnect the line and try starting the car. You should have at least 30 psi.

You can also disconnect the fuel lines at different points (at engine, downstream of filter, between filter and pump, upstream of pump, at tank) to determine the state of the fuel in the lines, but I wouldn't count on this experiment as being one hundred percent accurate, as you may have good fuel come out, and still have bad fuel hiding in the lines, clogging them.

That said, if you're careful, it wouldn't hurt to try. Good luck.

[rmozer]

Thanks RGK.