Starting a Modern Vehicle That Has Been Sitting Several Years

Although I haven't run into this situation personally yet, what procedure would you use to start a fairly modern fuel-injected car that has been sitting for (let's say) several years? I'd be concerned that the short shelf-life of modern gasoline would clog the injectors. Does it pay to use a pressurized can of fuel injector cleaner on the fuel rail before trying to start the engine? Does anyone have any recent experience with this?

 

I'd say it's not gonna start until the injectors, fuel pump, and possibly the tank are cleaned. I have several older carburated cars that need the carbs cleaned everytime I let them sit all winter.
Modern gasoline is garbage.

 

I would put a hot battery and try to start, if it doesn't start, spray injector cleaner/carburetor cleaner into the throttle body. If it cranks and runs off it you know it is a fuel problem. Next I would listen for pump working and if it is I would start by cleaning the tank and lines. You eliminated a firing problem by running it off TB cleaner. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

Agree on the gas of today. During my restore it dissolved the float on my tank sending unit and had to rebuild a new carb. I now use Lucas oil safeguard fuel conditioner for any fuel that sits for extended times without any more problems.

 

I usually try to thoroughly inspect for rodent damage** and the fuel and cooling systems for leaks first.
With fresh oil and filter and spin the engine, spark plugs removed to circulate the oil until the gauge reads or at least the low pressure warning is extinguished. When doing this disable the fuel pump so as not to fuel wash the cylinders. A shot of oil in those dry cylinders is also a good idea.

If the fuel stinks drain it. If no drain in the tank and you don't want to siphon you can disconnect a fuel line, run it to a receptacle and jumper the fuel pump. If the tank was very low I've managed to dilute it enough with fresh fuel to get a car up and running.

Jumping an old long dead battery is futile so install a fresh one. Low voltage wreaks havoc with computer controlled engine management, especially anything with "drive by wire" throttle.

Once running watch and listen carefully. Clicking hydraulic lifters are de rigueur when waking up long time stored engines, don't let it scare you but it should abate quickly. Resist the temptation to rev the engine.
Re-check for leaks and try a gentle test drive.
This past summer I did two such projects, a W124 Mercedes that sat for ~7 years and an Alfa Romeo that didn't sit quite as long.
The MB scared me because of the VERY expensive mechanical fuel distributor. It actually started on the stinky varnished fuel in the tank* but ran terribly and smoked a LOT. With fresh fuel and an overdose of Techron it straightened up in short order.
Pretty much the same with the Afla but it ran okay from the get go and didn't smoke.

* I ignored most of the above advice with the MB as I was allowed no time to do so, the seller had been monkeying with it unsuccessfully and there was some question if it would run at all.

** dismantle the entire air intake. Mice love places like that and ingesting a mouse house into the engine has happened with bad consequences