what to do with an engine that's been sitting? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Low87 · 06-09-2003, 04:42 PM

Finally got the truck on the road last night. The engine has been sitting for over a year so it pretty much runs like crap. I drove it last night a little, and it would idle okay but any throttle would make it start to bog down. Today I sprayed carb cleaner in the throttle body and put injector cleaner in the tank. I drove it around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes. It's doing better on accelerating but not much. What do I need to do to help the engine get running right again? It's got new plugs and wires, all fluids are okay.

87 STEPPER · 06-09-2003, 05:05 PM

Gerg,

Your on the right track now just keep driving the beast and it may improve.

If not then you may have shellac build up in your carb from the gas going bad from sitting that long and you know that will reuqire a rebuild kit and a good cleaning out

rockman20 · 06-09-2003, 05:18 PM

Sounds like he has injection, not carburation.

Check your filters. Was there old gas in the tank that sat for a year as well? If you are trying to run this crap through, get rid of it. Replace filters, get fresh gas, and run some more injector cleaner in there.

Tom · 06-09-2003, 05:32 PM

year old gas= bad

**Captkaos** · 06-09-2003, 05:54 PM

He just put a new gas tank on there, so I hope he put new gas in.....

79BIG10 · 06-09-2003, 07:14 PM

I agree. Drive it with some 92 octane through it with injector cleaner to flush out the gunk that's been sitting in the injectors. Do this along with changing filters for a few times and should be good to go. Also don't forget to change that oil as well.

LOHRTBT · 06-09-2003, 08:33 PM

YOu could always mix in a couple gallons of Race gas to clean out the fuel system.

jimfulco · 06-09-2003, 09:40 PM

That old gas has probably fouled your plugs. Clean them or get new ones. I run into this all the time with a yard full of cars that only get driven back & forth about 3 times a year. It coats the center electrode porcelain with a conductive substance & they won't fire worth a flip. Siphon out as much of the old gas as you can & fill it up with new gas. Use the old gas a gallon at a time when you fill up, so as not to waste it.

Low87 · 06-09-2003, 10:23 PM

The only place old gas could be would be pooled in the filter, pump, and throttle body. I've rebuilt the TBI so many times now I could do it in my sleep tonight. I can change the filter and rebuild the TBI if needed. I was going to do an oil change but this piso has so many oil leaks it might not be necessary (took 2.5 quarts!). I'll check the plugs for fouling as well. I didn't think about running higher octane, I'll do that also. Thanks guys!

06-09-2003, 04:42 PM	#1
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	what to do with an engine that's been sitting? Finally got the truck on the road last night. The engine has been sitting for over a year so it pretty much runs like crap. I drove it last night a little, and it would idle okay but any throttle would make it start to bog down. Today I sprayed carb cleaner in the throttle body and put injector cleaner in the tank. I drove it around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes. It's doing better on accelerating but not much. What do I need to do to help the engine get running right again? It's got new plugs and wires, all fluids are okay. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

06-09-2003, 05:05 PM	#2
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Gerg, Your on the right track now just keep driving the beast and it may improve. If not then you may have shellac build up in your carb from the gas going bad from sitting that long and you know that will reuqire a rebuild kit and a good cleaning out __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

06-09-2003, 05:18 PM	#3
rockman20 "The dude abides" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Dakota Posts: 472	Sounds like he has injection, not carburation. Check your filters. Was there old gas in the tank that sat for a year as well? If you are trying to run this crap through, get rid of it. Replace filters, get fresh gas, and run some more injector cleaner in there. __________________ RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal

06-09-2003, 05:32 PM	#4
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,701	year old gas= bad __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

06-09-2003, 05:54 PM	#5
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	He just put a new gas tank on there, so I hope he put new gas in..... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

06-09-2003, 07:14 PM	#6
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I agree. Drive it with some 92 octane through it with injector cleaner to flush out the gunk that's been sitting in the injectors. Do this along with changing filters for a few times and should be good to go. Also don't forget to change that oil as well. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-09-2003, 08:33 PM	#7
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	YOu could always mix in a couple gallons of Race gas to clean out the fuel system. __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

06-09-2003, 09:40 PM	#8
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	That old gas has probably fouled your plugs. Clean them or get new ones. I run into this all the time with a yard full of cars that only get driven back & forth about 3 times a year. It coats the center electrode porcelain with a conductive substance & they won't fire worth a flip. Siphon out as much of the old gas as you can & fill it up with new gas. Use the old gas a gallon at a time when you fill up, so as not to waste it. Last edited by jimfulco; 06-09-2003 at 09:43 PM.

06-09-2003, 10:23 PM	#9
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	The only place old gas could be would be pooled in the filter, pump, and throttle body. I've rebuilt the TBI so many times now I could do it in my sleep tonight. I can change the filter and rebuild the TBI if needed. I was going to do an oil change but this piso has so many oil leaks it might not be necessary (took 2.5 quarts!). I'll check the plugs for fouling as well. I didn't think about running higher octane, I'll do that also. Thanks guys! __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin



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