• over_clox@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    17
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    16 hours ago

    Smack the fuel tank half a dozen times with a sledge hammer, the fuel filter is probably clogged.

    Can confirm, I just did this yesterday.

    • blargh513@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 hours ago

      Don’t do this. If you unclog the filter the next stop for the junk you knocked loose is the engine.

      Fuel filters are cheap and easy to replace.

      • over_clox@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 hours ago

        Fuel filter indeed is not cheap or easy to replace, not on a 96 Sonoma anyways. You either gotta drop the tank, or remove the pickup bed, to access the fuel pump, where the primary fuel sock filter is located.

        Not easy or cheap to replace.

    • thallamabond@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      14 hours ago

      Been a while, but this can also work on the starter. Just a suggestion, keep the hammer weight under 2lbs.

      • Crashumbc@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        8 hours ago

        I had 82 Chevy Malibu station wagon in the early 90s while in college. The thing would start like a champion on the second turn, NEVER the first.

        Which was fine except the contacts on the solenoid started sticking when it was below freezing. It would sit there and run the battery down unless you jumped out reached underneath with something heavy to knock the solenoid loose… Get back, now being the second try, it would immediately start like a champ…

        Did that for 3 months before I finally changed the starter.

        • over_clox@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          10 hours ago

          Oh shit, 1000%!

          You just reminded me that I have a rubber mallet, that needs to go in the truck…

      • rabidhamster@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 hours ago

        Kept a hammer in the passenger footwell of my '89 Volvo wagon for exactly this reason.

        No start? Pop the hood, and pop the starter.

        • froh42@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          7 hours ago

          I feel knocking the starter with a hammer is a universal 80s driving experience. Like changing the electric distributor contacts mid trip, and using starter spray when the damn thing refuses to turn on again.