I just tried starting up my 89 2.6 Montero that has been standing since January due to travels.
After checking oil and fluids I gave the engine a go but it didn't start as suspected. I then added a splash of gas into the carburetor (lifted the air filter lid) and then tried again. It started and revved as I pressed the gas, but as soon as it ran out of the added gas it just died. I tried again and same problem.
It does have gas in the tank so that should not be the problem. I tried pressing the accelerator but no gas came out of the little funnel that connects to the air filter lid so could it be a clogged filter? Or a faulty pump? Help is really appreciated!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Since January! The fuel has probably varnished up and clogged the filter. You might try blowing out the fuel lines from the pump back to the tank, but I'd drain and dispose of the old fuel. You need to dose the tank with something like Stabil to keep the gas from going bad if you plan to let it sit like that. The old fuel in the carb bowl could have glued the float valve shut, too...

.....plus if it dried up in the carb there could be all kinds of passages clogged with the dried up additives that are in fuel nowadays. Sounds like a rebuild might be in order.

I would take the air cleaner off check to see if the accelerator pump is working. Basically look down the carb throat and open the throttle and look for the squirt of gas.

If you do get a squirt you at least know your carb has fuel in it. If not check for the output of the fuel pump.

I know that bad things can happen from gas sitting, but its possible / likely that the fuel in the tank and lines has not gummed, It's may have just gotten to a point where it does not vaporize easily and is harder to burn.

The most likely problem part is the carb. AS the fuel in the bowl evaporates and whats left combines with moisture you can get some nasty gunk.

The upside is once the bowl evaporates off there is no more fuel to react. The down side is whats left in the bottom may get nasty. Its worse on lawn mowers since the gravity feed tank keeps adding fuel to the bowl, keeping the reaction going.

Kevin

Thanks for the replies. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Is the carb throat what's exposed under the air filter lid? Do I need to turn the car on (without starting the engine) to get the accelerator pump to hopefully work?

From previous experiences I don't think the gas in the tank has gone bad, but the carb is another story. My technical skills are limited, but what other things could I try if the accelerator pump turns out to work? And if not, how easy is it to replace? The biggest work I've done is water pump and alternator replacements.

the carb throat is the opening under the air cleaner housing. Remove the housing and lay aside (there's a vac hose attached). Open the choke plate (which closes off the top of the throat when the engine is cold)by hand against the spring pressure, and acutate the throttle by hand (rotate the cam to which the throttle cable is attached) and watch for the squirt of fuel, about like you'd see from a kids water pistol. Remove the fuel line from fuel pump (on the side of the head between a couple of the manifold runners) to the top front of the carb. Put the line into a container to catch the fuel, and have an assistant crank the truck for 4-5 seconds and check for fuel delivery. If none, remove the fuel filter (on the dside frame rail in the engine compartment) and blow from engine side to tank side to see if it's obstructed. If you get fuel from the pump, squirt a lot of carb cleaner into the hose nipple on the carb and pray. Also remove the bowl vent hose (goes from carb to charcoal canister across the valve cover) and spray cleaner in there, too.

Past here, you really need to remove the carb and do some minor disassembly to clean it out - nothing real serious, but with some small parts that are too easy to drop with the carb in the truck.

Remove the fuel cap and smell the fuel. Does it smell like varnish, or like gasahol like at the pump?

Thought I should say that this problem is now SOLVED for anyone with similar issues in the future. Took my car to a mechanic who unplugged one of the gas inlet/outlet hoses connected to the front of the carb and told me to crank the engine. Cranked it and after 2 seconds and some sludge a steady stream of gas was shooting out the hose. He plugged it back and engine fired up like it was no biggie. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> It was the lower of the two hoses and they are visible to the lower right when staring straight at the carb. Thx for the help! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />