i have a 79 280zx. the car has been sitting in the garage for about 6 years. it has 36000 miles on the odometer and used to run without problems. i replaced the fuel pump, and now i get fuel to the rail. spark is also there. it cranks but doesn't fire up. i would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

 

Welcome to ZDriver! There's a few things you should do before trying to start a car that has been sitting for years. If you just start it... you could cause damage.

#1... yank each spark plug & pour a lil oil in each hole. The cylinder walls are bone dry & need some lube before cranking.

#2... any fuel over a year or two MUST be drained. It is no longer good for fuel injected cars.

#3... an engine needs TWO things to start: GOOD fuel, and enough SPARK.
-Have you verified that there is spark at the sparkplugs? Have you changed the fuel & made sure it's clean fuel at the injectors?

 

Welcome As Well What Color Is Your 79?? We Need Pics? And While Your At It Check For Air Make Sure There Is Nothing Clogging Your Intake Like A Rat Nest In The Air Filter Box.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Now, do what they ^ said

rod.

 

An engine actually needs 3 things to run (but I doubt the one not mentioned, air, is the problem. My money is on the rank fuel as well.

And welcome to ZDriver

 

Yes... it does need AIR... but even if there was a rats nest somewhere along the way (which should be checked before starting as well) SOME air should be getting by. At least enough to make the thing sputter. Ahhh!!! ok ok!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and all that advice! Well, the fuel smells really bad, the problem is that the gas is full all the way, and i didn't know how to drain it and get rid of all that fuel. I have good spark, and there is no rat nest in the intake i knew i was going to have to get rid of the gas, but i figured it should still start on it.

 

Dirty old gas likes to clog fuel injectors... and doesn't burn very efficiently. A car sitting for 6 years prolly has some water condensation in the gas tank too. ... water doesn't burn well.

Now comes the fun part.... you get to siphon it all out. Or just drop the tank.

 

well, in that case, i guess i have to go through that fun! i'll let you know what happens. Thanks

 

alright guys, thanks for the good advice. i took out the gas tank, cleaned it, used compressed air to blow through all the fuel line, took off the fuel rail and injectors. almost none of the injectors worked like it was supposed to before cleaning them. all that done, she fired right. already changed the oil and i think i'll take a test drive tomorrow.

thanks