Hello all, just joined today
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater Minnesota
Hello all, just joined today
As per the title, I just joined and I am hoping to get some of your helpful experiences and knowledge to get the engine started. I bought my 1985 Corvette Z51 version the year after the first C4 model was introduced in 1984. It is black with the red leather interior. Due to extensive travel schedules, I was not able to drive it much. It only has 30,000 miles on the car. I had it stored for the last 15 years. The car started every year until this spring 2012. I made sure that the battery was fully charged but the engine does not want to fire. Furthermore, I am not a purist. So, anything other than and including OEM parts are OK with me. Looking forward to all your suggestions. Best regards.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
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My first guess would be that your gasoline is useless. Siphon some out and see if it will run in your lawnmower.
You may have to drain out all that bad gas, blow out the lines and replace your injectors, fuel pump and fuel filter.
Do you have a Field Service Manual (FSM)? If yes then go through the "no start" checklist and see what you come up with.
A black C4 with a red interior is a good look.
If you don't have a FSM then you should buy one. You can usually find them at www.half.com
You may have to drain out all that bad gas, blow out the lines and replace your injectors, fuel pump and fuel filter.
Do you have a Field Service Manual (FSM)? If yes then go through the "no start" checklist and see what you come up with.
A black C4 with a red interior is a good look.
If you don't have a FSM then you should buy one. You can usually find them at www.half.com
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater Minnesota
Start up 85 Corvette after extended storage period
Hello corvetteronw, thanks for the suggestion on questionable gas. Well, it started last summer so I drove it to the gas station and put in a little over half a tank of premium to top off the tank. I been doing this procedure off and on for the past 15 years and it started every season. Perhaps some of the really old gas left in the system is the culprit.
Any other thoughts that come to mind besides draining the tank to check on the gas, replace fuel pump and fuel injectors. What sequence would you recommend after I blow out the old gas? Should I replace the spark plugs since this is a fairly inexpensive item to replace? Every part in my car is original.
Any other thoughts that come to mind besides draining the tank to check on the gas, replace fuel pump and fuel injectors. What sequence would you recommend after I blow out the old gas? Should I replace the spark plugs since this is a fairly inexpensive item to replace? Every part in my car is original.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Gasoline floats on top of water. You could have water in the bottom of the tank, which is where the fuel pump picks it up.
A good test is to disconnect the fuel filter and let the fuel run into a glass jar so you can check for water. Might as well change the filter while you're there...
A good test is to disconnect the fuel filter and let the fuel run into a glass jar so you can check for water. Might as well change the filter while you're there...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Big Flats NY
Today's gasoline with ethanol in it, is not only caustic it isn't stable beyond 90 days. It breaks down rapidly and destroys anything that has rubber in it. I agree that the first thing to check is the gas that is in the tank, using a lawnmower is a great idea - safer than putting it in an old coffee can and seeing if it will burn. Other areas to check would be the fuel pump, do you hear it turn on when you first turn the key - it should for about 3 seconds, check fuel pressure at the manifold/fuel rail, then check your injectors.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,315
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Welcome aboard 
Is there spark at plugs ?
Is there pressure in the fuel rail ?
Do you smell unburnt fuel after extended cranking ?
Do you have a fuel pressure gauge and a noid light ?
Here is some info from my 86 FSM
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Ig...System-EST.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Co...0View%2086.pdf
Is there spark at plugs ?
Is there pressure in the fuel rail ?
Do you smell unburnt fuel after extended cranking ?
Do you have a fuel pressure gauge and a noid light ?
Here is some info from my 86 FSM
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Ig...System-EST.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Co...0View%2086.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Today's gasoline with ethanol in it, is not only caustic it isn't stable beyond 90 days. It breaks down rapidly and destroys anything that has rubber in it. I agree that the first thing to check is the gas that is in the tank, using a lawnmower is a great idea - safer than putting it in an old coffee can and seeing if it will burn. Other areas to check would be the fuel pump, do you hear it turn on when you first turn the key - it should for about 3 seconds, check fuel pressure at the manifold/fuel rail, then check your injectors.
Kinda where I would start to eliminate the fuel issue. Get a fuel pressure guage and see what you have at the fuel rails. If everything checks there, see if you have spark at the plugs.Then once it coughs up the big cobweb stuck in its throat, it will run. Then get out and drive tha durn thing.
Oh yeah welcome to the Forum. Bunch of good guys with plenty of knowledge. You will find the help ya need to get it going. I also have an '85 so I follow all these '85 based thread to learn and to help if I can.
Good luck!
PS as soon as you get it outa the garage and dusted off we want pics. You are officially granted a grace period until it is running.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Big Flats NY
The fuel pressure gauge will attach to the schrader valve on the fuel rail, there is a bleed off on the gauge that will let you get a sample, or the way these cars are setup I believe you can siphon off some from the take easy enough. Use a siphon pump, they are cheap, I get them at the same place that I get parts for my garage heater, really cheap to buy. First step is to listen for the pump, you should hear something when you first turn the key.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater Minnesota
Thanks for your suggestions - 85 Z51, automatic
Hi all, thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions. Here is an update. Still no start yet.
1. Gas is OK. I siphoned about a gallon from bottom of tank and used it for my weed whacker.
2. Check for spark at #1 location. Spark was present. Since these were original spark plugs, I replaced all but one with AC Rapid Fire #1. Couldn't get to the #2 spark plug. How do you guys replace this plug?
3. Got the Field Service Manual.
Will now focus on the fuel supply system. I don't hear the 3 second sound that you guys mentioned when key in turned to "on". Couple more questions.
1. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge. Will the ones I buy at NAPA, Autozone, O'Reilly any good? If not, what model would you recommend?
2. Noid light, what is it? also, I don't have a digital VOM. Are the ones I could buy at Menards acceptable? Do you suggest other models? I know Flukes are good but they are very expensive.
1. Gas is OK. I siphoned about a gallon from bottom of tank and used it for my weed whacker.
2. Check for spark at #1 location. Spark was present. Since these were original spark plugs, I replaced all but one with AC Rapid Fire #1. Couldn't get to the #2 spark plug. How do you guys replace this plug?
3. Got the Field Service Manual.
Will now focus on the fuel supply system. I don't hear the 3 second sound that you guys mentioned when key in turned to "on". Couple more questions.
1. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge. Will the ones I buy at NAPA, Autozone, O'Reilly any good? If not, what model would you recommend?
2. Noid light, what is it? also, I don't have a digital VOM. Are the ones I could buy at Menards acceptable? Do you suggest other models? I know Flukes are good but they are very expensive.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Big Flats NY
Any auto parts store fuel pressure gauge will work fine, buy what you can afford, for home stuff basic tools are fine. Same goes for the Digital VOM, you don't need this if you have and can use an analog one. Noid lights are for testing injectors with the engine running, they back probe the power lines to each injector and flash each time the injector fires.
If you are not hearing the fuel pump when you first turn the key, just to confirm that you are not, open the gas cap and put your ear close to the hole then have someone else turn the key. There is a write up here on changing fuel pumps, it isn't hard at all a dozen or so bolts, and 2 plugs and you are on your way really. If you can't find the write up, I think it is a sticky, let us know.
J
If you are not hearing the fuel pump when you first turn the key, just to confirm that you are not, open the gas cap and put your ear close to the hole then have someone else turn the key. There is a write up here on changing fuel pumps, it isn't hard at all a dozen or so bolts, and 2 plugs and you are on your way really. If you can't find the write up, I think it is a sticky, let us know.
J
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Welcome to the nut house!!!
It sounds like your getting a grip on things, the only Recommendation I have to offer: Buy a quility DVOM with High impedance, this insures no curcuit loading while your testing, doesn't have to be a fluke.
It sounds like your getting a grip on things, the only Recommendation I have to offer: Buy a quility DVOM with High impedance, this insures no curcuit loading while your testing, doesn't have to be a fluke.
