Expert: Robert Summers - 10/14/2007

Question
I was stationed in Korea for the past 3 years, and the last 2 of that, my truck was just sitting, with less than 1/8th of a tank of gas.  i had moved, and had to drive the thing about 65 miles away from where it was parked.  the tank was almost completely empty when i refueled, and i put midgrade in it.  but about 20 minutes after that- right after i got on the freeway- it started losing power and then died.  after it died, the check engine light went on.  when i started the truck after that, the idling was on a "wave" pattern... it will rev up and then drop down, nearly stalling.  when i step on the accelerator pedal, it starts to die on me, but when i "play" with it, the R's go up like it normally would.  it is constantly backfiring and dying on me, and it takes me about 10 minutes to go from one end of my street to the other- its about a 1/4 mile. any ideas?

Answer
Hi Jason.  Your could have several problems, but lets start with the obvious. after sitting for that long the fuel left in the truck would turn to like a varnish, i take it this truck has an electric fuel pump. first change the fuel filter then put in a good quality fuel injection cleaner. remove the fuel line from the fuel rail or throttle body housing. turn on the key, make sure you have good fuel flow. reattach the line connect a fuel pressure gauge and make sure you have proper fuel pressure, if you do . start the truck and let idle for a while to allow cleaner to pass thru inj. or throttle body. also make sure exhaust is not plugged. after sitting for 2 years i would start here... if that doesn't solve problem then i would start looking at wires for animals that have chewed on them or corrosion at the connections. Hope this helps... Bob