S13 sit for 9 months, now cranks but won't start

[nismodragon]

I have a '93 fastback that I let sit at the inlaws for about 9 months. It was running fine, not perfect, the last time I drove it. I never went out there to do occassional cranks to keep it good.

Now, it cranks but won't start. I changed out the plugs and sprayed some carb cleaner to see if that'll do it, but no go. When I look in the radiator, it looks like mostly water. I don't see a hint of green in there. My oil level is fine, albeit in need of changing.

I checked ECU codes, but got 55 normal operation. I think it's getting spark because it sounds like it is and I can smell some exhaust burn. I've read that a faulty Coolant Temp Sensor can prevent the motor from starting. But, I don't know if it could go bad from sitting for 9 months. I'd check it with a multimeter, but my multimeter has been shot for the longest. Is there a way to check it visually?

Also, I know I should check the base timing, but it was good when I let it park. I'll get to it this Wednesday as it just snowed this weekedend and I can't get under the car now. I noticed the 2 ground wires on the exhaust manifold side of the engine were gunked up with oil. Yeah, I need to change my valve cover gasket too.

I'm planning to do a tune up anyways, so I put in the plugs already. Next up:-Oil change-radiator flush-brake bleed-fuel system cleaning-replace valve cover gasket

I hope I provide enough info for you guys to help me figure this out.

TIADavid S.nismoragon

[mutz22]

I would visually verify that you do have spark, and if its strong should be a nice strong blue/white. I gues easy way just pull a a plug out then then place it in the wire boot ground the plug out (like the thread area of the plug on the valve cover usually works). If the CTS is bad it would usually put too much fuel in. Try cranking for a second or too then press the accelerator all the way down witch should cut injectors as in flood out mode, see if than makes a difference at all and take it from there.

[nismodragon]

I verified that all my cylinders are firing with that spark test. Also, rechecked my base timing and it's still good. Im confused as to what you're trying to say with the next step. Is that to prevent flooding of the engine?

If the CTS is bad it would usually put too much fuel in. Try cranking for a second or too then press the accelerator all the way down witch should cut injectors as in flood out mode, see if than makes a difference at all and take it from there.

[speedeast]

Drain the fuel (completely). Refill and add a can of cleaner: Lucas, Seafoam, etc.

And by completely I mean fuel filter, fuel lines, the works. It sounds like your gas has gone bad (typically occurs in 60+ days)

Also, RTV silicone is your valve cover gasket.

[nismodragon]

HUZZAH! I got her running. I swapped the fuel filter for one I had from my other S13, filled the gas tiank with some fresher gas, and sprayed starting fluid into throttle body. It took 3 times of spraying with the starting fluid, but I finally got her running.

But, now it stumbles and dies soon after I let off the gas. Any thoughts as to what's causing this? I'm going to drain and refill the tank, and throw in some Lucas fuel treatment tomorrow. What's the proper procedure for this anyways? Also, should I get this straightened out first before proceeding with the rest of the tune up? Is it okay to do a radiator flush and fill with this condition?

Also, which RTV silicone color/strength is needed? I have an unopened tube of the red one, "High-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Maker" Permatex.
Modified by nismodragon at 6:47 PM 2/3/2010

[speedeast]

The different colors are just that... different colors. If you ask different mechanics which one they like best, you'll get different answers. I like the gray best myself. The red that you have will work just fine; it depends on if you want to see a red crevice around your valve cover or not. I buy my gray in 14oz tubes; I use it for everything: oil pans, valve covers, water pumps, and timing covers.

Drain the fuel tank, and open the system near the canister or fuel rails to let air in so the fuel will drain back to the back of the car. After everything is back together, keep another car nearby cause it might take a few tries and a jump start or two to get it running, but it'll go.

Bad gas just means moisture in your gas, so imagine your car is trying to burn water... no bueno. I would give it a quarter of a tank of 87 and burn through a half a can of Seafoam personally. The Seafoam will do wonders. Just imagine all this rust and garbage trying to go through the system, it doesn't work too well. If you have to keep your foot on the gas to burn through the Seafoam and clean it out, so be it. Hold off on the Lucas until you get it running right, then add it to re-lube the system.

Next time it sits, add the appropriate amount of 'Stabil' to your gas a few miles before you park it and it should keep the moisture out.

Good luck dude!

[speedeast]

Don't drain out your gas!!! I can't believe I didn't think of this, must be getting late. Put a bottle of 'Iso HEET' in there. It's a moisture remover and fuel system cleaner in one.

That will save you a huge lot of time.

[nismodragon]

schweet. I did like ya said and pouredin a bottle of isoheet in the tank. It took about 5 -10 minutes of feathering the throttle, but it's able to stay running now for about 5 minutes or so on it's own. Still rough though. I pulled the injector clips one at a time and #3 & #4 stumbled, but # 1 & #2 didn't. I know I got spark to all 4 cylinders. Here goes nothing