Tips for starting an SVX thats been sitting a few years?

[Nevin]

The title may be misleading because i am not trying to give out tips, but would just like to know what to look for in preparation to starting my 95 thats been sitting since april of 17.

The cooling system is currently drained so i wont be running it for long, i just want to make sure everything is going to go before i do more work.

I have both tranny cooler lines sitting in a big oil drain tank so fluid will be contained.

I disconnected the fuel pump relay and cranked it over a number of times to make sure my oil pressure was up.

The gas tank was empty so I put in some injector cleaner and 5 gal of 91 gas.

I changed the fuel filter, plugs, valve cover gaskets and cleaned the valve covers. And actually when i have the valve covers off i smeared a bunch of lucas on each of the cam lobes and spun the motor by hand a few times to just make sure we werent metal on metal.

I cranked it a few times then with the fuel pump relay hooked up again and realized that my tps was unplugged so i hooked it up. Cranked a few more times and my battery pack died.

So im certainly not giving up or anything but for those of you who gave had long term projects like this, what are some other things i could look for?

I have no problem just charging my pack and trying a bunch more!

Maybe should i just cycle the key a bunch of times to prime the system?

[SoCoNoHa]

I would just recharge the pack and try again. If you can use another vehicle to jump/donate it's battery, that may give better results, it has for me in the past. I actually just started my SVX today for the first time in years, she started right up without the MAF connected to boot! I'm sure it'll catch, just needs more rip'ems.

[Blacky]

I second the battery idea. If it starts you'll want to leave it run a bit which you wouldn't do hooked up to a booster pack. Running it without coolant is not good for the water pump though.
I think it will fire right up with a good cranking. There is likely a bit of stale gas in the lines which you may want to pump out into a container first though.

[Nevin]

Well i charged up my pack and hooked up and filled the radiator with coolant today.

I just cranks like the dickens but wont start.

Again, still not overly concerned.

However, there was a relay or something just buzzing away down there right beside the fuel pump relay under the steerimg wheel. What's that fella do?

I would also say that I don't hear the fuel pump running, but i honestly couldnt recall if i could hear it before or not, its been so long.

[Trevor]

I hope that you have a battery connected as well as the booster pack, even though the battery may be flat. With no load in place, there is a danger that the voltage from the pack is inadequately regulated with unhappy consequences.

[Nevin]

I trust this pack. I am using just the pack at the moment. I know the battery is shot and I dont actually plan on driving the car yet this summer but I do want to get it running so i dont see any sense yet in buying a new battery for it.

Ive jump started and run dozens of cars with no batteries with this pack and never once had ill consequences.

But hey, there's a first time for everything! Ive been wrong before!

Also qhen i drove tow truck we jump started hundreds of cars a year with our booster packs. We would always just leave them hooked up for a bit and let them get charged off the alternator. It was basically the same as having it plugged in anyways.

[SoCoNoHa]

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to hear the pump prime if you're in a relatively quiet environment. Could the buzzing be the fuel pump relay itself, or is it definitely something else in the area? Usually a relay will buzz if it's not getting enough voltage/current (whomever) or if it's corroded internally. Of course, the pumps don't last forever, either.

Is your crank position sensor plugged in?

Good luck!

[Blacky]

Disconnect the incoming fuel line at the fuel filter and see if fuel pumps when the key is on.

[Nevin]

Its the relay right beside the fuel pump relay, right up under the dash behind the tcu or wherever it is.

Also, I noticed that my fuel gauge doesnt read anything. Normally 5 gals would have made it move a ways. Didn't notice that the other day.

[huck369]

Originally Posted by Blacky

Disconnect the incoming fuel line at the fuel filter and see if fuel pumps when the key is on.

This, and if it does, the injectors may be clogged from setting so long, or the fuel lines for that matter, the fact that you said the tank was empty, means the crappy gas evaporated, and this leaves a lot of crap in the tank, so the intake could be clogged up, the fuel pump could have dried out and be bad, a number of things "Could" be the issue, but if you're getting fuel pressure at the filter, then the lines and pump seem to be working, and I'd get the injectors replaced or cleaned

Just some thoughts...

[Nevin]

Ok just tried it again.

Yeah unplugged the line and keyed it and cranked it and never got any fuel.

I know there are 2 or 3 circuits required for these things to work. Wheres the best place to start looking?

Also i did spray just a hair bit of ether just to see ans it definitely tried to take off so i would say i have spark.

[huck369]

I'd start with pulling the Fuel Pump out, and check it (most likely bad from drying out) and have a look at the inside of the tank....this ethanol gas is horrible about drying up and leaving crap in the tank. then take the lines loose u[ front and blow air thru them to be sure they are clear before putting the pump back in.

[Nevin]

I was more or less thinking the same thing.

Would that explain why the fuel gauge doesnt work? Are these units on the same piece?

I kinda wanna put in a 255 pump anyway for future stuff and i have a wrx regulator laying around here that i was gonna use anyway.

Why replace when you can upgrade?

Then if that's not it, ill still have replaced it by the time I need the upgrade.

[huck369]

Originally Posted by Nevin

I was more or less thinking the same thing.

Would that explain why the fuel gauge doesnt work? Are these units on the same piece?

I kinda wanna put in a 255 pump anyway for future stuff and i have a wrx regulator laying around here that i was gonna use anyway.

Why replace when you can upgrade?

Then if that's not it, ill still have replaced it by the time I need the upgrade.

Yes, the fuel gauge sending unit will come out with the fuel pump, and is probably froze up from setting, should be able to clean it up and make it functional again while it's out.

[Nevin]

Awesome.

Would it being frozen up have anything to do with the pump not working.

I guess i should just get the pump out and throw 14 volts at it and see id ir runs.