starting diesel that's sat for 4-5 years

[demonspeed2005]

i inherited an older chevy diesel (6.2?)that's sat for 4-5 years without being run.what all needs to be done prior to start up? seems to me i remember hearing of a fungus that grows in fuel tank/system that can ruin an engine. so do i need to remove the tank and clean out, or just treat it with something? what about the rest of the fuel system? what else needs to be done to the motor? i know with a gas engine i could pull the distibutor and pump oil through the motor with my drill set-up, but what options di i have with the diesel? any suggestions would be gratly appreciated.

[jocww]

Change the fuel and the oil before anything, Then you can just start cranking but do not start for awhile to get oil splashed ont he valves and piston rings etc.

[steakman]

you may want to go over to DieselPlace.com and check out the 6.2 forum. Over 59,000 posts and lots of guys with 6.2's and lots of experience..

for what its worth,

stk

[Levi18]

We used to have that fungus in one of our combine tanks all the time. I'd change the oil like jocww said, and turn it over without staring it.

Whatever you do, don't use ether without turning it over a couple times.

[Avec]

Originally Posted by Levi18

Whatever you do, don't use ether without turning it over a couple times.

Should be "don't use ether, ever" Ether (starting fluid) will toast your glow plugs. If you need something to help starting, use WD-40.

Other than that, do some of the same things as with a gas engine. Maybe pull the glow plugs to allow for easier cranking. Perhaps pour a little oil into each cylinder to lube up the sides, ect. Clean the tank, change the oil and filter and fuel filter.

I am going to plug the resources I use: www.thedieselpage.com, and I have used Kennedy Diesel (kennedydiesel.com) for both parts and information resource, but I have used Heath as well for some things.

[red suburban]

change the fluids, filters, and test the glow plugs because they might be shot. DONT use ether, period. way too easy to put too much into the motor and damage it.

after you have taken care of those parts you will need to bleed the air out of the fuel line. simple way is to open up the bleed screw on the box fuel filter along the firewall (if the truck has it). if it doesnt have that then disconnect the fuel line after the filter, but before the injection pump. turn the key to the on position to get the lift pump running, do that until fuel comes steadily out the line. turn the key back off and reconnect the fuel line/close the bleed screw, then crank the truck up.