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Starting Car After 2 Years???

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FaTZAch420

15+ Year Contributor
47
0
Dec 20, 2007
Phelan, California
I have a 1990 Plymouth Laser that had a bad ECU and was sitting for about 2 years. Well, I got a new ECU, bolted it up, plugged it in...Then I did the following maintenence procedures before I tried starting it:

1. Changed oil/filter
2. New Spark Plugs
3. New Spark Plug Wires
4. Coolant
5. Gear oil
6. New Battery
7. New gas (tank was dry/empty already)
8. Timing belt looked new upon inspection


Well, I did all of this stuff and I tried starting it up and it turns over and runs very bad for a few seconds before dying...Then I noticed a small amount of white smoke from the tail pipe...I'm hoping I didn't screw something up. Why the hell isn't my car starting? Did I forget something? HELP! I need to know the possibilities of what could be wrong.
 
Do a leakdown or compression test before deciding that you need to pull the head for anything. It could just be massive condensation or water pooled somewhere in the exhaust system after sitting for that long. There is also a chance that the white smoke is due to a busted turbo.

When you changed the coolant, did you notice any oil mixed with it? Or was it a milky color?

Also, if the tank was bone dry, the fuel line was probably dry also. Give it a few more tries and let the fuel line pressurize.
 
Do a leakdown or compression test before deciding that you need to pull the head for anything. It could just be massive condensation or water pooled somewhere in the exhaust system after sitting for that long. There is also a chance that the white smoke is due to a busted turbo.

When you changed the coolant, did you notice any oil mixed with it? Or was it a milky color?

Also, if the tank was bone dry, the fuel line was probably dry also. Give it a few more tries and let the fuel line pressurize.

I was thinking that it could be condensation to as well, but why would I have these problems starting? When I did the coolant change, I didn't notice any oil at all, or it being a "milky" color. If it is a busted turbo, can the car be driven at all?

I tried starting it again and it is starting a little easier and stays running for a bit longer, but still dies...There's also not as much smoke. The smoke comes out in a big "puff" and goes away after a second now...It runs for a few more seconds, then dies afterwards.
 
try starting it and giving it some gas...dont punch the throttle, but like keep it up around 1500 - 2500 rpms for a little while and then see how she runs after youve had her revving for a little bit...

you may just need to give it some time...
 
I agree, change the fuel filter. Also when I got my car it sat for 9 months and it took a couple days before it started to run good. Be patient.
 
Mixing of oil and coolant would indicate a blown head gasket, it's good that you don't have that, but it doesn't eliminate anything.. It would just be a very good indication.

I agree with the previous posters. Just give it a little throttle to keep it running and let it warm up.
It could be that the Base Idle Set Screw is screwed too far into its bore causing it to stall.

Is it a smoothish idle while it is running, or is it sputtering and missing?
 
Mixing of oil and coolant would indicate a blown head gasket, it's good that you don't have that, but it doesn't eliminate anything.. It would just be a very good indication.

I agree with the previous posters. Just give it a little throttle to keep it running and let it warm up.
It could be that the Base Idle Set Screw is screwed too far into its bore causing it to stall.

Is it a smoothish idle while it is running, or is it sputtering and missing?

It feels and sounds like it is running smooth for a second, then it sputters and dies...Also, giving it some gas doesn't really do anything except make it die a little faster...It is "better", but it still is starting and running horrible. Also, when it starts, the engine moves around a lot likes it's not in place...I don't know if that's "normal", I know really nothing. That's why I'm here.
 
change the fuel filter

then go for some injector cleaner

check the air filter


then after all of that and it still doesnt run then IDK man my car sat up for three years and i drained the gas then put good gas in there along with some sea foam and she ran like a champ but i wish i could help the most i could
 
Are you sure that all of your intake pipes are attached and tightened properly?
Are all of the sensors plugged in, especially the Mass Air Flow Sensor?
 
the car would start without a MAF sensor i dont have one on my car YET!!!!

i am thinking about a 3" GM MAF though
 
The car *should* start without a MAF, but every car is different and that would be a very obvious thing to take care of, in conjunction with intake pipes and other sensors.

I didn't mean to imply that alone would be the source of his problem.

When you changed the wires, did you install them in the proper firing sequence? On the coil pack: (4-1-2-3)
 
I got my uncle over here today to help me look at it and we got it running a bit better...Basically, it "runs". He thinks it's misfiring and there's a timing issue with the car. He doesn't think that the motor's bad or anything is blown, but he can't rule anything out until the timing is corrected. I'm buying a repair manual tomorrow so we can fix it this weekend.
 
Tank was empty when it sat for two years. There is water in your gas, get some dry gas and add it to the system. If you store your car for any amount of time you should have a full tank.

Condensation.
 
Tank was empty when it sat for two years. There is water in your gas, get some dry gas and add it to the system. If you store your car for any amount of time you should have a full tank.

Condensation.

True. That would account for all the problems he is having.

James :laser::talon:
 
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