Why will my 1987 Chevrolet truck not start?

[Anthony S]

OK. so like 8 months ago my nephew decided to play gas man and decided to fill my tank up with the water hose. So I never tried to start it. Like 3 months later I got to fixing it, I syphoned the gas tank, put in fresh gas and some water dryer, replaced fuel filter. The truck would start but when I dropped it down into drive it wouls stall out everytime. So it set for a couple more months, I figured I might of not got all the gas out. So I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel filter, turned on the pump and drained the gas that way. Then put in fresh 93 gas with some water dryer, replaced the fuel filter again, and now it won't even start. It will try though. I put some starting fluid in there and it will start but then it dies right away. So, its not getting gas, right? I disconnected the gas line at the TBI and turned the pump on and gas is coming out. So then I had somebody try to start it, with the pedal down, I couldn't see any gas coming out of the injectors. Could I have messed up the fuel pump when I used it to drain the tank? It is pushing a nice amount of gas though. What do you'll think it is? What steps should I take to diagnose and fix the problem? I really need to fix this truck. My mom is so tired of it sitting in the drive way and she said it had to be gone by Thanksgiving or she is calling the junkyard. Thank you for any help.

 

[nathanael m]

If you pump is pumping gas out it is fine.

Did you try tuning it up? Some water could have gotten up there and shorted your plugs out.

Also if the truck has been sitting as long as you say it is has your battery may have gone bad which would explain why it does not start; but not why it stalls. The stalling comes from gas not getting in your engine, which is in your case the water blocking it.

Also check and make sure that you don't have anything blocking your exhaust system. If you are getting water in there (obviously not in the tailpipe as that is where water is going to get in no matter what you do) it is time to put a for sale sign on that beast and sell it.

 

[blazer]

first of all im suprised the fuel pump is still operating...
now that the water has sat in the tank for an extended period of time it may need to be flushed and resealed
rust particles could have gotten into the injectors , replace them if need be
change the plugs there probably fouled
quit using starting fluid its not a desiel is it ? !!
fuel pressure for this truck is 13 pounds and controled by the fuel pump
pour gas only into the intake not much and try to start it , if runs for a short while ur on the right track change the fuel pump and filter
good luck !
an quit using the additives
first though i would change fuel pump an filter i had the same prob with my blazer i tried everything and it turned out to b the pump