2002 C5 has been sitting a while, now cranks fine but doesn't start....

by Jim
(Easley, SC, USA)

I just purchased an immaculate 2002 Corvette that only has 5,500 miles on it from the original owner. It was last registered in 2006 so it hasn't been driven much in the past 14 years. It was stored in a heated garage in Connecticut until 2017 when he moved to South Carolina. Since then it has been stored outside, but under a metal carport. He says he started it up about a year ago and it ran ok. It has a new battery and cranks fine but doesn't try to start up. It shows about 3/4 of a tank of gas which I suspect is very old and stale. I haven't gotten the car home to my place yet where I can check codes or troubleshoot much. I am still arranging transportation to my house, but I am suspecting it is a fuel issue, possibly the fuel filter, the fuel pump or the injectors. Is it ok to spray starting fluid into the air intake to determine whether it will run on the fluid and thus is certainly a fuel delivery issue? Any insight on likely causes of my problem is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim

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