Lacquered Up Fuel System

[rwork]

I've got an old 1996 Ford F150, 6 cyl, that I keep out at my property. I rarely ever use it, and it sat for 3 or 4 months without being started. Tried to crank it about a month ago, and it would turn over,, but wouldn't fire up. Had an old shade tree mechanic go by and take a look at it. He said the fuel tank and filter has lacquer in it from sitting. He says that I need to flush the tank and fuel system. He can't get to it for another month and I'd like to get it going.
Has anyone else ran into a similar problem like this, and how did you go about cleaning it out?

[RPW]

Not by sitting a couple of months. Flush as mentioned plus remove carb bowl and clean thoroughly.

[rwork]

It's fuel injected. Aren't there some sort of screens on the injectors?

[Ken]

6 cyl . engine with fuel injection do you hear the fuel pump maybe in tank running to increase pressure to engine loosen line and check for good flow. if so loosen to injector and see if fuel is in the rail line.
Next do what is needed to check for spark in a plug. if spark maybe air cleaner is full of trash or some other varmit has chewed the wiring .
I leave engines sit for more than few months and they will start sometimes slow but will run if battery is good.
Know this stuff called fuel is sorry stuff still the tank was closed shouldn't evaporated that much.
Take some old fuel put in quart jar with lid. set beside jar with fresh and watch for couple of months. make sure you label the old . it will be hard to tell.
If it is evaporated to point it has turned to jelly talk to parts store men for good tank cleaner and follow directions.
I'm suspect something electrical has occured to cause not to start.
ken

[hosspuller]

Gasoline Injectors rarely go bad. They do get plugged up. I resurrected a fuel injected car that hadn't started in 3 years. The fuel was sludged.

Start from the injectors to see if fuel is being sprayed. If not, go back part by part to the tank till you get fuel flow. Empty the tank and discard the gas... (I didn't and ruined a new pump.) Once you get fresh fuel into the tank, follow the fresh gas to the injectors, fixing or replacing as you work back to the injectors.

Big tip ... if your injectors are clogged and really expensive to replace, there are several specialist shops that can clean & rebuild injectors for about $15 each + shipping. Search the internet for the closest to you.

[RPW]

Sorry my mind was on tractors

[Ken]

The key words were old 1996 F150
Had it been a tractor the paint would not have time to fade.

Sure hope the op sends back what he found.
Shade tree Mech. maybe still in the shade.
ken

[rwork]

The key words were old 1996 F150
Had it been a tractor the paint would not have time to fade.

Sure hope the op sends back what he found.
Shade tree Mech. maybe still in the shade.
ken

Well, actually it's just a truck I use around the place to haul trash, limbs, etc. It's really in pretty good shape. I bought it about four years ago, with 110k on it, and it's got just under 14k on it now. You can see that it doesn't get much use.

And I agree, I don't think the "mechanic" has a clue.....of course, neither do I !!

[Ken]

Remember 98% of all Fords are still on the road.
So 2 % made it back Home.
I have driven fords all my working life never been left on the road.
114 K is just getting broken in for good gas mileage.
Hope the problem is just minor.
ken

[Dana Warner]

I would spray some starter fluid into the intake at the air filter then try to crank it again. If it fires and dies it is a fuel problem. If it does not fire it is an ignition problem. Flushing the fuel system probably a waste of time but time will tell.