Expert: Sean Halliday - 8/27/2009

Question
Sean,I read your expertise and i think this may not be to far out of your range.Sean,about a month ago i got my daughter a real clean,low miles,1987 Cressida.Its been sitting in this mans carport almost 2 years when i bought it.Said his friend has cancer but since car was like mint condition didn't want to sell until now.It started right up but could tell it been sitting due to the varnishy smell.Well i got it home and the tank had been filled up and added SEAFOAM to it.While waiting for my daughter to get insurence for it i ran it everyday.it started right up but only on a few cylinders for a few minutes then clears up.I have been meaning to change the fuel filter but just haven't got there yet.Well she started driving it and the last week its run great but she let it go to empty before putting a few gallons in it.Now today she calls me and is at a friends house and says its been stalling and now wont start at all.I feel that the filter is most likely plugged but these guys house the cars at are saying they have been trying to turn car over and it just wont start.I wish the car was at home for i hate to have a bunch of guys trying to touch something that doesn't need touched.This kid says he cant hear the fuel relay when the key iis turned but i never heard it myself??Sean do you have any advice for me before these young wanna be hotrodders touch or buy and change something that doesn't need it?Your help would be GREATly appreacited???
                                          Thanks,Dave in Fla

Answer
If the car sat that long,the fuel should have been replaced.The filter will need changed and most likely the fuel system will need flushed.As for the fuel pump,you will need to test and see if it is working before you change the filter.Check relay and fuse for fuel pump.