Car sat for 5 years and runs bad... need advice!

[Missythetib]

Hey, I'm new here and did a little intro. I was told to post this question over here as this is the place I'd get the most help. This is a long read, but I'm trying to get as much info out as I can.

My fiance has a 97 Tib Sport with the 2.0. It sat for 5 years and I'm trying to get it running. Well, it's a little harder than I thought it would be.

It's running now, but only with some effort. When I first got it, it had 3/4 tank of gas. I couldnt find a place to drain it and syphoning it proved to be impossible. So I added 3 gallons of premium, some fuel system cleaner, and some Stabil.

It runs... but its a bear to get started now. The main problem was that it ran rough and stumbled when given gas before it was warmed up. Give it a little gas it runs rough for a couple of seconds, but once it gets over 3000 rpms, it clears up. If you hammer the gas above 3000 it will sputter (until its warm). Drive it a little before its warm and come to a stop sign, it will miss a little and almost feel like it will die... but it doesn't Once warm it runs fine. Peppy... you can stab the gas at any RPM and it doesnt hesitate. It downshifts nice... seems to run good... but the check engine lite stays lit the whole time.

That was the first 2 days I had it running. I could shut it off and 2 hours later it would fire up again but run rough until it warmed back up.

Now the past 2 days it took the efforts of a small army to get it running. It cranked over and felt like the starter wasn't engaging. There was no load on it. I sprayed some starting fluid in the throttle body and it gave a very light attempt to fire. I cranked it over and pumped the gas... out of frustration. It fired and popped and it took about 10 seconds but it started. But it ran like crap and the CES light was flashing.

After a second it smoothed out and the CES light stayed lit. If I let the car sit for more than a couple of hours, I have to do the same procedure to get it running again.

Now its not a huge deal, but at lunch, the hood latch stuck, and now I cant get under the hood until I get that fixed.

The car hates me. It has to...

But I need to get this running reliably. I'm going to put the new fuel filter on tonight and run this tank of gas out and put new gas in and add more injector cleaner.

Any other ideas? Any ideas on how to get the hood open?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[97redtib]

Hmmm...well for starters I would have the starter checked and go get those CEL codes read at an autoparts store if you dont have a nifty lil handheld one of your own!! The sputtering before the 3000rpm normally it sounds like the spark plugs but since its having issues after that if you stomp on the gas...im not 100% sure!

You could also try some Seafoam...it cleans out your engine and exhaust and pretty much anything of any carbon buildup from it sitting so long...sorry Im not much help but those are just my opinions and ideas!

[Missythetib]

Originally Posted by 97redtib

Hmmm...well for starters I would have the starter checked

I guess I was a little unclear with that...

The starter is fine. It cranks over good. It just seems like when I'm starting it that the starter isn't engaging. It doesn't feel right. I know it might seem weird, but I've only started this car maybe 10 times and everything I own is V8 powered. So I guess I'm not used to how it sounds when cranking but not firing.

Sorry for the confusion.

[187sks]

I highly suggest you drain out the old gas. It has decomposed to the point that I'm surprised it will run at all. Gas seperates somewhat and you may even have solids that will clog up your fuel system. The more you run it on this gas the more likely it is that you'll have to replace the fuel pump and/or take the injectors out and have them cleaned.

After changing the gas run a half a can of Seafoam into the intake manifold via the brake booster hose, pour a can in the fuel tank, and pour half a can in the engine oil. Take a short drive until the car stops smoking (it will smoke badly from putting the Seafoam into the intake manifold, this is normal). Then drain and replace your oil.

Your spark plugs are probably fouled because the gas you're burning is not able to combust proprely. You should repace them and the plug wires while you're at it.

As far as the hood latch goes sometimes it helps to have someone push down or pull up lightly on the hood while you try the release from inside the car.

[Asian_907]

I would also recommend you replacing all filters and all fluids. This includes your fuel filter, air filter, and oil filter. Fuel filter is almost a must, especially if you left 3/4th of a tank of gas in it, and is continuing to run it... Leaving a car sitting rusts up all metal that isn't lubricated, and after a year of it not starting, most of the gears should have rusted up a little, if not a lot.

Get your radiator flushed, your transmission flushed and after you run the Seafoam through the car, change your oil with some synthetic. The synthetic oil has a lot of cleansers which will get your engine squeaky clean. Check all your fluids, especailly your brake fluids in case they look fouled.

Howie~

[Sub 10 Tib]

I had the same problem with my BMW a couple of years ago, and unfortunatly had to go the long rout to sort it out. It took me to remove the feul tank and wash it out with clean fuel.

I drained all the hoses, replaced the filters (air, fuel, oil), plugs, oil and even the radiator liquid just to be safe. On start it splatterd a bit, but soon ran very smooth there after.

Know it sound maybe like too much, but in the long run, I am sure it sved me more money and time.

Hope you come right.

[Missythetib]

Yeah, I forgot to mention I did the oil change and air filter change.

My cousin checked out the fluids and didn't think they needed to be replaced. I need to get the tranny fluid and filter serviced because this car had a history of transmission woes.

It will definitely get a new filter as soon as I can open the hood. The way its running most every technician I've talked to said to run it and let it clear itself out.

So we'll see how it does. Judging by how its running when warmed up I'm hoping it will be ok.

[Dragonis]

i would also check you injectors too, they could be clogged

[187sks]

Originally Posted by Missythetib

The way its running most every technician I've talked to said to run it and let it clear itself out.

If you talked to any qualified "technician" they would not recommend that you continue to run 3/4 of a tank of 5 year old gas through a fuel injected car unless they really dislike you.

This is old gas on the right:


Note the difference between the old gas and fresh gas on the left. The biggest problem is the solid sediments you get. How long do you think it will take to clog the sock on the fuel pump intake? Or the fuel filter? and a single one of those getting through can clog a fuel injector. Maybe the techs you were talking to were just hoping you would bring the car to them once you've done enough damage that they could make a decent profit.

You could mix this gas into new gas and run it in a car but the tank should be cleaned and all sediments should be filtered out of the gas before putting it back in the car.

Maybe you'll get lucky. Gas has a shelf life of about one year with no stabilizer. It's not my problem or risk it's yours but the hassle of properly cleaning the tank and replacing the gas seems like a small price to pay compared to the problems you face if you don't get lucky on the condition of the gas in there right now.

Does anyone know if there's a fuel pump inspection hole under the rear seat on the 97 Tib? if so that's easier than dropping the tank. You can just take out the pump, siphon out the gas, clean the tank, and be ready to go again in the matter of an hour or two.

[Edited to fix picture]

[WytchDctr]

your picture link just called you a pirate

(and once he fixes Ill look crazy)

I too am suprised it ran at all on that old gas.