Car doesn't start after storage

According to Shell, fuel starts to spoil after about 6 months. The rate at which it deteriorates can vary, depending on climate and how well the fuel is sealed. But the worst case scenario is that it will become a thicker viscosity, gummy and tend to clog injection systems and such. visually it will take on a dark colour That is a worst case though. So if its the same colour as the wee that comes out of you after a night out its bad, and bad for you, drink more water

I'd drain the tank and get some new juice in there. I did get mine started on old fuel, but it ran much happier once it was fresh. And I drained 90% of all the old stuff out. save a few awkward drops.

Although it may be prudent to check the ignition system first though.

 

Nah I'd doubt it would be that bad enough to block the injectors. Mine had yellowed more than fresh fuel but that was about it. It had possibly sat longer, but did have fresh fuel added when I first moved it. I think it must have to be in pretty poor storage for it to get to blocking up an injector condition.

I'm not sure if there is a drainage hole on the tank. I had mine out anyway due to the work that I was doing at the time, I just tipped it up and got everything out via the open tubes. It's not very enjoyable getting the tank in and out, how much is in it currently?

I guess you could take all the plugs out and crank it, you should be able to smell fuel if its getting in. If there is really no evidence of fuel getting in, it might be worth testing the fuel pump.
I had to cycle some fuel out of my old lines as I was having start problems and I also thought it was fuel related. I did this by undoing the fuel line out of the filter and sticking a tube into the top fuel filter. Then while the plugs were out I cranked it and saw it pumping through the fuel quite happily. It's an easy way to visually inspect the fuel and discover if the pump is still working too.


Someone else probably has some better advice, but hey this showed me my fuel wasn't really bad and my pump was good. Let me know my problem was elsewhere fairly easily.

 

oh yeah that's a good point. I had huge huge issues with old ignition leads being ever so slightly moist stopping everything from working. cold mornings for example, couldn't get the car to start. I got new leads and never had a problem since. Giving them a good rub down and dry might just get everything working.

 

If it's been two years, personally I'd bite the bullet and go ahead and drop the tank, stick a new fuel pump in it, and put in fresh gas.

While I don't recommend throwing parts at anything, some things would be a good idea. From there, tune up wise, I'd slap in new spark plugs and wires also. Then from there you can start diagnosing other things. Of course also test for spark and compression, check your timing (make sure the timing belt hasn't broken or rotted either), and jump the fuel pump and see what happens. Just start doing some diagnostics, yknow?

 

I had this issue before. One thing that I had to do to get it to start was shake the car a little. It was like a little airlock in the fuel pump or something. I'd defo say its a fuel issue