Fox Prepping a '91 to start after 5 years sitting?

331strokerGT · 2026-10-04T14:47:03-0500

I have not started up my '91 Fox body in about 5 years. It's been sitting in my garage for that time, but I did not correclty prep it for storage i.e. fuel treatment, etc..

I see most procedures start with verifying the condition of the fuel and tank; maybe start with a manual transfer pump to siphon out the fuel and a cheap borescope to inspect? Hope the tank is decent, including the pump and sender?

Or is this just wishful thinking and just drop the tank as it likley will need to be replaced?

DadLife0724 · 2026-10-04T14:50:44-0500

I would say depends on what gas you put in it. I use ethanol free. It stays much better than ethanol gas. You could be looking at a fuel tank full of varnish. Definitely verify before pumping any up to the engine.

AeroCoupe · 2026-10-04T16:15:24-0500

You need to drop the tank after you pump it out. It’s not hard to do and this will allow a better inspection. I would replace the rubber line between the fuel pump and fuel pump hanger and the fuel pump sock filter. If it’s the stock fuel pump I would just replace it due to the age.

Mustang5L5 · 2026-10-05T07:39:45-0500

I'd siphon out the tank and inspect what you get. If you can, put fresh gas in and change the fuel filter. It really all depends on how much moisture got into the fuel tank to turn that fuel to varnish. If you can get a borescope down the filler that would be good otherwise you can siphon and drop tank and see the condition. If it was relatively tight it should actually be in decent shape.

My car sat for 8 years, and then later 4 years with fuel in the tank (definitely E10 the 2nd time), and it looked spotless when I inspected.

Otherwise, change the oil, squirt a little oil into the cylinders and turn engine over by hand a few times.

keel · 2026-10-05T13:52:17-0500

Crank the engine over on the starter for about 10-15 seconds to build oil pressure before you fire it off. You can do this by jumping the starter solenoid with an alligator clip or even a screwdriver.

Fox Prepping a '91 to start after 5 years sitting?

331strokerGT

DadLife0724

Advanced Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

keel

Active Member

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Fox Prepping a '91 to start after 5 years sitting?

331strokerGT

DadLife0724

Advanced Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

keel

Active Member

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