Thread: won't start after 4 months in storage

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Originally Posted by 1JohnnyO

Is it popping at all when you try to start it? I doubt it's the gas. I agree that is does go bad after a time, but I have pulled cars out of the garage after two years, and it started and ran fine. I have a 67 camaro that I am restoring (little by little) and it has the same gas in the tank for 5 years, and I can still start and move the car. Im not saying the gas is good, but it will still allow the engine to run, that's why Im saying I doubt that's the problem. Those parts that you mentioned that were recently installed, was that before storage, or after you took it out? I would lean towards spark and ignition, but I could be wrong. Check your msd connections, and make sure you're getting spark when cranking.

Its not even popping at all. Which is why i tend to agree with you. i would think that if the gas if 4 months old, it would pop a bit. maybe not well, but still at least get some fire.

im going to try spraying in some starter fluid while turning it over. if i hear a pop than its gas related, if not than it probably is ignition related.

all my new ignition parts were installed before storage. it was running great with them installed...

thanks

Originally Posted by DennyW

There wasn't a few mice running around hiding, were there ? They like to keep chewing on things.

its an enclosed container. no mice or other such pests...

i still think its fuel, you guys are from other states that have less smog laws and different fuel blends, the california fuel is really crap because of all the smog regulations, we have the worst in the country.... after about 3 months of sitting it'll go bad.... i've had it happen a lot, specially to my motorcycle that i dont ride for a few months sometime.... it loses all octane and doesn't get popping or anything....

Originally Posted by thesals

i still think its fuel, you guys are from other states that have less smog laws and different fuel blends, the california fuel is really crap because of all the smog regulations, we have the worst in the country.... after about 3 months of sitting it'll go bad.... i've had it happen a lot, specially to my motorcycle that i dont ride for a few months sometime.... it loses all octane and doesn't get popping or anything....

A few weeks ago I posted portions of a memo we got from Mercury Marine regarding what they feel will be upcoming problems with gas that has ethanol in it, and I was sort of crucified for it. Some members say they have used the stuff for years and no problems. But I think thesals hit it when he mentions it may be somewhat of a regional thing. The Mercury memo, and subsequent ones we have received from Yamaha and Volvo indicate that we in the hotter, more humid climes will be the most affected and probably see more problems than our northern neighbors.

I'm not going to open that can of whoop-a** on myself again, but I will tell you we are starting to see more and more people with fuel related problems in their boats, and boat usage mirrors what we saw here...........he laid his car up for 4 months and had starting problems. One thing no one can dispute is that gasoline today is not the same gas we had 5 or 10 years ago in terms of longevity in stored conditions. It just flat out turns bad much more quickly.

All of the memos we have received from these respected Marine engine manufacturers were not written simply to entertain their engineers. They honestly feel the changes being made to gasoline will require us to deal with problems we have not seen before.


Just my opinion.


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

A few weeks ago I posted portions of a memo we got from Mercury Marine regarding what they feel will be upcoming problems with gas that has ethanol in it, and I was sort of crucified for it. Some members say they have used the stuff for years and no problems. But I think thesals hit it when he mentions it may be somewhat of a regional thing. The Mercury memo, and subsequent ones we have received from Yamaha and Volvo indicate that we in the hotter, more humid climes will be the most affected and probably see more problems than our northern neighbors.

I'm not going to open that can of whoop-a** on myself again, but I will tell you we are starting to see more and more people with fuel related problems in their boats, and boat usage mirrors what we saw here...........he laid his car up for 4 months and had starting problems. One thing no one can dispute is that gasoline today is not the same gas we had 5 or 10 years ago in terms of longevity in stored conditions. It just flat out turns bad much more quickly.

All of the memos we have received from these respected Marine engine manufacturers were not written simply to entertain their engineers. They honestly feel the changes being made to gasoline will require us to deal with problems we have not seen before.


Just my opinion.


Don

i back you fully on that, we get cars in the shop all the time with the same problems.... smog ratings even drop the older the gas is in the car.... i've seen quite a few people fail after they say that the car has been sitting a few weeks cause they needed to do this or that..... i pour 5 gallons of fresh gas in their car, retest and charge them an extra 2.5 for the diag