Im Back Guys! So, I need to get my truck up and rolling. For financial reasons I havent been using it. its the 5.4 4x4 with 90k on it. it has 70k on its rebuilt engine. Please help me out on what you think I need to do. Im not doing the work because I just change oil and filter in the past. Im thinking, all fluids, flush radiator, drain gas tank, and probably plugs(were new 3yrs ago). So, before I consult with my mechanic, can you tell me what to expect to be done? As a side note, I have been keeping her waxed and polished. Be nice to have my truck up and rolling again!! Good to be back fellows!!!

 

I would charge up the battery and see if it will startup. If not, you might have to suck the gas out of the tank, and put 5 gallons of new gas in it. After startup i would test and see how things go. It might be a good idea to change the antifreeze sometime. The oil did not go bad just setting. If it has water in it, thats different. Getting it hot and running around a while will fix hig humidity problems.. I just started up a 1969 truck that was setting in the barn for 3 years... Charged battery and added 5 gallons of gas to very low tank level... RUns great.

 

Only thing I'd do is pull the fuel pump fuse and turn the engine over for a good 10 seconds to get the oil where it needs to be, other than that run it.

 

Fire it up, after, then i would flush radieator if needed, plugs should be fine, oil should be fine. i would small the gas tank if it smells old i would change it out thats it

 

If you dont want to pull the fuel pump fuse, just hold the gas pedal to the floor and turn it over for about 10 sec then remove your foot and try again. Holding the gas pedel down and trying to crank it will disengade the fuel pump while you have your foot on the gas pedal. It will not flood out.

 

Interesting 2 for 2 on "start it...run it" after "Sitting 2yrs 8mos" presumably w/some undisclosed quantity of ethanol gas in the tank?

First thing I'd do is Sniff Test the necessarily degraded old fuel at filler. After nearly 3 years it may smell quite exotic - As In BAD & Nothing like gas.

In some climates ethanol gas can go bad in as little as 6 mos! A year tops. Am told if old bad gas is still flammable enough to burn as gas, it can be bad for motor to run on it & it's better to get rid of it.

Unfortunately no drain on tank & pain to siphon. Many disconnect gas line & get fuel pump to purge tank. If the in tank fuel pump hasn't succumbed to "Sitting" nearly 3 years.

Second thing I'd do is inspect wiring for critters chewing/nesting, before putting good battery in, then test for fuel pump function w/o trying to turn over motor.

Third, If motor is full of good looking oil & coolant, the old gas didn't smell too horrible & fuel pump hums - then I'd try starting it.

But if that ~3 YO old gasohol smells like Dr. Nuba's Nightmare suggest you Google the topic.

Before driving inspect the brakes. Even in a tight garage rotors could be rusty w/spots where pads sat. Could have stiff calipers, especially in Rust Belt, or if "Sitting" out nearly 3 years.

 

What have you been waiting for....gas $ to go down...LOL...J/K. I have had luck siphoning gas out one of the vent lines after getting the retainer off the top of the tank. But they can be a &^&%$% to get off here in the rust belt.

Check your gas tank straps...both of them. If they really look nasty replace them...in fact you may have got that recall where Ford will do that free of charge.

 

Thanks Guys! I was thinking id have to spend 600 bucks. You guys are great!

 

If the battery was never disconnected you may need to replace it.
The computer takes a small amount of power to keep it's memory but over that amount of time it will discharge it flat.
Left in that condition reverses the cells and it usually cannot be recovered.
If left flat in below freezing temps, can break the case and damage the plates.
Complete discharge leaves only water in the cells to freeze.
Good luck.