02 GT not starting, bad fuel?

[alcook59]

I've had my 02 GT sitting for about four months. It hasn't been driven at all. I've started it 2 or 3 times but for no longer then 10 minutes or so. Its been extremly cold out, -20 last week. Today it was about 30 and we tried to fire it up but it would crank just not fire at all. My brother took the bleed cap off the fuel rail(or what we assume is the bleed cap on the fuel rail, diesel guys here), bled a little air out and it fired. It idles horrible and you have to manually keep it raised around 1500 to stay running. The exhaust wreaks, really weird smell. Could this just be bad fuel from sitting for this long combined with the cold weather? Any ideas on what else it could be, or how we could diagnose the problem? I would just put fresh fuel in it, but it has a full tank. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[screamin gt]

fuel can go really bad really fast these days. throw some fresh fuel in it and let it run for a while. also invest in "sta-bil" or whatever fuel stabalizer you can get if your going to let the car sit that long.

I have 4 sportbikes I use it in every winter with no problems ever. I also use it in all my yard equipment.

 

[alcook59]

Is their any easy way to drain these tanks? Not lucky enough for a drain plug I'm sure! I didn't really plan on leaving it sit that long, but things happen. Should I change the fuel filter, or just drain it most of the way and put good fuel in and drive it? Thanks.

 

[screamin gt]

I dunno anything about draining. if it were me I would throw in some dry gas and 5 gallons of fresh fuel and I would think letting it run for 10 minutes or so should get the fresh fuel through the line. I think your supposed to let the dry gas sit in there for a while to do its thing first. hope that helps.

 

[alcook59]

I'll give it a try. One other question, the bleeder valve on the fuel rail.... When you bleed it should fuel be squirting out while cranking? We did that to start it which worked, but no fuel came out just a little air?

 

[SaleenGT2001]

it should spew fuel out while cranking. if there is no fuel that means there is no pressure. the pump may be on its way out.

 

[Pearl02]

One reason for the strange exhaust smell could be that the car was flooded. The spark plugs can get soaked with fuel while trying to start. The idle problem could be the IAC(idle air control) valve. When my car sits for awhile, the IAC acts up. Running it for awhile fixes my problem. Just do what Screamin GT told you. I don't think it's anything serious. Pearl02.