Priming system after draining the fuel questions (CIS)
 

My car sat for 4.5 years. I drained all the old fuel out of the tank.

Once I put new fuel in, Do I need to prime the system? Or can I just turn it over until it starts?

I already adjusted the cold valves, replaced the oil and cycled the engine a few revolutions for the new oil,

I am just wondering if I need to prime the fuel injection or if I just keep turning it over until it starts.

Thanks

Shawn

PS If I remember I will video the initial start up- I bet it is going to be quite the smoke show :eek:

Edit: I just re-read your post and noticed you only replaced the tank. You propably won't have to prime, in that case, if your fuel pump check valve is good. Ignore the below unless the car won't start due to lack of fuel. Then again, your system sat for 4.5 years and it's possible you have clogs in the injection parts--hopefully, you don't.


Most likely you will have to prime.

I'm not sure if a 77 has the fuel pump activated with the ignition, or if there is a relay/pressure switch involved. Either way, you will need to activate the fuel pump for a brief time without turning over the engine--usually by jumping a terminal on the relay (do a search)

Remove the air cleaner cover and filter so you can see the plunger in the intake opening.
Activate the fuel pump
lift the plunger plate with your finger (carefully) to its maximum height, and hold for only about five seconds, max.

The above should be enough to prime the system and your car should start fairly easily. You don't want to hold the plunger up too long as that could flood the cylinders and possibly cause hydro-lock in a cylinder where the intake is open.

Thank you very much, my check valve should be good, I replced it only a few 1000 km's before parking it

I also hope that I DO NOT have any clogs in the injection parts.

I have a new fuel filter. I was thinking of starting the car using the old filter, that way it would filter out whatever was left in the lines. But now I think it would be wiser to replace the filter BEFORE starting it.

I will post results

Shawn