Hello All,
Looking for advice.
Subject is a 2001 Miata (NB). Has been sitting for the last couple years. I had started and largely completed a full restore on the car (repaint/new top/new interior/new suspension/etc) and then bought a house....
I have been starting the car every month or two and running it around the lot. It would usually complain about it a bit but after 30 seconds or so it would give in, start and idle happily.
Not today.
It has a nearly new optima that has excellent crank.
With a bit of start fluid it sputters for a bit so not ignition.
Haven't disconnected fuel lines yet so not sure on fuel delivery.
Any thoughts?
Thinking possible problems:
Crap gas - This is a given, it's old (2 years). Seems odd it would go from idling ok to complete no start after only 6 more weeks but maybe.
Fuel Filter. (Can moisture settle here?)
Plan to replace filter (it's original, car only has 40K though).
Try to pump out tank and get new gas.
Other ideas/experiences?
Thx
T
Clogged fuel injectors would be my first guess. Start by checking for wet plugs and fuel pressure.
I would pump out gas and change filter. Was Stabil used? If not you may have to remove and clean tank. Even with Stabil, 2 years is asking a lot from a stabilizer. Oxygenated fuel absorbs moisture and the moisture rusts/damages any bare metal in the fuel system.
2 years on gas that isn't REC 90 or 100LL is going to cause issues.
The answer is to give up and sell it quickly. I'll give you $100
It's possible to sputter on starting fluid without spark. My gs300 had a critter chew through the wiring for the crank sensor and would sputter on starting fluid so I assumed fuel delivery issues. Nope! It's still possible you have spark but don't assume just from that.
In reply to dculberson:
Yeah, ether is bad stuff, it's really only good for last ditch efforts in getting a frozen diesel going, and even then it's hard on the motor. Some gasoline (a bit of premix out of the weedwhacker jug is good) in an old spray bottle is much safer and won't ever lie to you like that.
So if I am understanding the Hive correctly, the motor is shot and needs to be swapped with an LFX?
T
If your looking for a winter project. If you want to enjoy the upcoming fall in the Miata, clean the fuel system (which needs to be done NOW rather than later anyway) and get out on the highway.
It was the fuel pump.
But she now also has cleaned injectors,new filters,new gas (with a wiped out tank) and even a gleaming (sorta) intake manifold.
Thanks All.
