Vaccuum leak
 

My brother has a 89 lx 5.0 which hasnt been driven for over 5 years. It was his passion way back when, but with a growing family, and more responsiblities, the dar has been forgotten about. After taking him for a ride in my 2010, i think i finally got him motivated to get back on the road. The engine will turn over if you cover the throttle body, which leads me to believe there is a possible vaccuum leak? I wouldnt doubt if mice made a house out of his car while sitting. Any suggestions on what we should look at first. Any alternative to a smoke test?

What do you mean by cover the throttle body? On the top with the TPS sensor is?

what do you mean turn over if you cover the throttle body??.......that should have 0 effect on whether the car cranks or not.........learn the proper terminology for stating an issue.........cranks but won't start?? or won't crank, therefore won't start....= 2 seperate paths for diagnosis...........So I assume it fires/acts like it wants to start when cranking if you cover the throttle body??...............you need to provide more info, like how long the car has been sitting?? if for a few years I hope you drained the gas before attempting to start it??

he means he is basically choking it, that may make a difference if its trying to start and its way lean, check fuel pressure, age of fuel(sounds like it might be varnish) there really cant be a vacuum leak while cranking, because the engine doesnt spin fast enough to generate much vacuum at that time

This is what I figured he meant too.

Guys. That makes sense. Definitely sounds more like a fuel problem rather than air. We will look more into that. Is there any suggestions on what it could be if runs fine once started? Fuel pump to my knowledge was recently done. Thanks for the advice guys. I helped my brother wheni was younger, but jow that i am getting older, ireally want to help him get car back on the road.