QuestionHello.
My grandfather has had his Olds 98 in the garage for the past 20 years, and it has not moved since. We attepmpted to start it the other day, but we were very unsuccessful. For its age and considering how long its been sitting there, it turns over great. We replaced the points and the spark plugs, so we know that the ignition system works fine. (I did test it to make sure that there was spark). The fuel delivery system seems to be the issue here. The carburetor is not getting any fuel, so obviously we first looked at the fuel pump. We took it off, and the arm seemed to be strong, so we put it back on and cranked the engine a few more times. We then noticed that there was something in the glass bowl of the fuel pump, and when we took it off again, we confirmed that it was in fact gasoline. We then proceded to order a rebuild kit (Diaphragms, springs,etc.). When we put the pump back onto the engine, we cranked it several times again, to find that the exact same thing had happened. There was gas in the bowl, but it was not getting pumped to the carburetor.
I was wondering if you could possibly point us in the right direction of the problem.
I am not sure if that gas is getting to the bowl by gravity (seems highly unlikely), or it is actually getting pumped there. I'm very sure I put the pump back together correctly, though the arm is no longer movable through the use of my hands. I could however move it while it was in a vice, but it was extremely difficult. I am now wondering if we should just order a whole new pump, or if there is something else wrong.
Thank You,
Kyle
AnswerFirst, I want to explain the delay in my answer: The All-Experts site has a problem that they seem unable to fix - it causes as much as 3 days to elapse before they send out the questions. I just got this this minute!
It is always a mistake to try to start an engine that has been sitting for years - anything over 2 or 3 years means that almost certianly there is a layer of gritty mud on the bottom of the oil pan, which will be sucked in by the oil pump and circulated through the engine as soon as you begin to crank it. I always advise folks to take the pan down and clean out the pan before trying to wake up an engine that has sat too long. The consequences of skipping this step will be a short life for the bearings and valve lifters, and possible crankshaft and camshaft damage.
However, that bridge has has already been crossed - and if you just want to see if it will run, the first thing to do is to determine if the lack of starting is due to the lack of fuel in the carburetor. The quick and easy way to do this is to have a helper crank the engine while you spray WD-40 into the air cleaner air intake, or directly into the top of the carburetor if you have the air cleaner off. (Be careful when doing this with the air cleaner off, there might be a belch of flame come up if there is an intake valve hanging open, which is very common when an engine hasn't been run for a long time) - stand back and hold the WD 40 can at arms length. If that makes the engine start, even if only for a second, you have proven that the problem is lack of fuel.
Next step is to look down the front barrels of the carburetor while your helper floors the accelerator pedal. If there is fuel in the carburetor, you should see two healthy squirts of liquid gas go down the front barrels. I'll be amazed if you do, because your accelerator pump is almost certainly atrophied from lack of use, but try this anyway - if you see the squirts, there is gas in the carburetor.
Next thing, if you determine by either of these tests that there is no gas in the carburetor, is to disconnect the fuel inlet line and try to blow into that fitting -you'll have to fashion a hose onto the fitting so you can blow into it. If it feels blocked, the needle valve in the primary side of the carburetor is stuck shut. The top needs to come off the carburetor to free it up, and also to replace the accelerator pump, so you might as well just buy the carburetor kit and go through the carburetor completely - I'm sure it needs it.
Good luck - I think you are going to need it!
Dick
