Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KansasTruckGuy · 08-20-2010, 06:59 PM

I parked my '72 C10 "out back" about 5 years ago, and started it every week, then every month, then once a year, and then not at all. To no one's surprise, the gas turned into a funky smelling liquid mess, which I didn't discover until trying to fire it up a couple of times with starter fluid. After I discovered the stench coming from the tank, I stopped and pulled the gas tank and dumped out the offending liquid within, and then flushed the tank.

My question is this: Once the tank is reinstalled and fresh gas is added, I'd really like to try starting it again before dealing with a carburator rebuild. Will I do anymore damage than has already been done if I try and start it "as is?" Is there anything I should do to minimize the damage I may have already done to the fuel system? Any other advice? Thanks in advance to all of you gurus out there for your help!

cam.man67 · 08-20-2010, 07:03 PM

Having had that happen several times to old tractors, I'm not sure that the carb needs rebuilt (at least not yet). If you can flush the fuel line of the old gas, that would certainly help.

1-PU70 · 08-20-2010, 07:24 PM

Ya I would disconnect the fuel line at the carb and crank the engine till clean fuel comes out. Of course you need to diconect the coil wire and have something to catch the old fuel. Change the fuel filter too. If it doesnt start or runs like crap a carb rebuild would be in order. Good luck.

cdowns · 08-20-2010, 08:30 PM

last blazer i got with 10year old gas in it i just drained what i could filled with hitest and added fuel system cleaner every fillup for the first thousand or so miles as well as changing the fuel filters a few times in that span// eventually the fuel system cleaner did a good job never had to take that carb apart in the time i had it and put over 30K miles on it b4 selling it off after i blew the tranny

KansasTruckGuy · 08-20-2010, 08:34 PM

Thanks guys! Cleaning out the fuel line is a good idea. Now that you mention tractors, I realize my tractor has the same problem. I guess I've got my weekend plans now! I appreciate your suggestions!

08-20-2010, 06:59 PM	#1
KansasTruckGuy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 6	Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? I parked my '72 C10 "out back" about 5 years ago, and started it every week, then every month, then once a year, and then not at all. To no one's surprise, the gas turned into a funky smelling liquid mess, which I didn't discover until trying to fire it up a couple of times with starter fluid. After I discovered the stench coming from the tank, I stopped and pulled the gas tank and dumped out the offending liquid within, and then flushed the tank. My question is this: Once the tank is reinstalled and fresh gas is added, I'd really like to try starting it again before dealing with a carburator rebuild. Will I do anymore damage than has already been done if I try and start it "as is?" Is there anything I should do to minimize the damage I may have already done to the fuel system? Any other advice? Thanks in advance to all of you gurus out there for your help!

08-20-2010, 07:03 PM	#2
cam.man67 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jefferson, MD Posts: 2,397	Re: Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? Having had that happen several times to old tractors, I'm not sure that the carb needs rebuilt (at least not yet). If you can flush the fuel line of the old gas, that would certainly help. __________________ '68 Dodge Dart 270, 225, 904, 2.76--"Lucy" 1996 Gmc 1500 Z71, 350, 4l60e, 3.73s 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande 2.5, AX5, 4.10s 1989 Toyota Pickup 22re, auto, 3.73

08-20-2010, 07:24 PM	#3
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	Re: Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? Ya I would disconnect the fuel line at the carb and crank the engine till clean fuel comes out. Of course you need to diconect the coil wire and have something to catch the old fuel. Change the fuel filter too. If it doesnt start or runs like crap a carb rebuild would be in order. Good luck. __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters

08-20-2010, 08:30 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? last blazer i got with 10year old gas in it i just drained what i could filled with hitest and added fuel system cleaner every fillup for the first thousand or so miles as well as changing the fuel filters a few times in that span// eventually the fuel system cleaner did a good job never had to take that carb apart in the time i had it and put over 30K miles on it b4 selling it off after i blew the tranny __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-20-2010, 08:34 PM	#5
KansasTruckGuy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 6	Re: Waking a sleeping beast (dormant truck)? Thanks guys! Cleaning out the fuel line is a good idea. Now that you mention tractors, I realize my tractor has the same problem. I guess I've got my weekend plans now! I appreciate your suggestions!

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