I have a 1987 Toyota Pickup, standard 2WD (not 22RE). It hasn't been started for a while, and when I went to start it last week, it didn't. I took a look under the hood and noticed that even though the carburetor is pumping, I see no fuel in it at all. Could this problem be the fuel pump, fuel filter, or is it the carb? Not sure if it matters, but there's no EFI, it has the mechanical fuel pump. I checked for leaks in the pump and hoses and didn't see or notice any. The battery is charged, and there's half a tank of gas. I just turned 18 and I'm still a beginner with car knowledge, so please try to answer in a way that a dummy like me would understand . Thank you!

 

If the engine sat for quite a while the fuel filter could be clogged with rust and other dirt.

Another thing if the fuel has all drained back into the tank it can take quite some time to fill the carb again till you have enough to start.

Then as you mention it could be anything in the fuel system

 

did you fix the problem? post your solution for others to learn by.

 

No k haven't yet. I haven't had time to try anything yet

 

Since the carburetor is vented to the atmosphere via the air cleaner housing, the fuel could simply have evaporated.

If you have the carb rebuilt recently, it is very common for the fuel to drain out of the bowl into the intake manifold after a rebuild.



If you mean that fuel in the float bowl has drained backwards, this is inaccurate. Once the fuel has entered the carburetor bowl, it is impossible for the fuel to travel backwards. At this point, the fuel is physically separated from the fuel line feeding the carburetor.

 

If your needle valve is worn or the float is leaking.

Never had to silver solder a float??

It can and will siphon back into the tank.