Needless to say my car has been sitting way longer than I intended. My son being born, adding on to my house, remodeling my house, and now a bout with cancer have all put the car on the back burner. It is about time for me to change that, what do I do?

Car has less than half a tank of gas in it, and I did add half a can of seafoam to it about 2 years ago. However, I never started it. If I open the cap it still smells like gas. Should I empty/drop the tank and clean it? Is there something proven that I can pour in it and just start it?

The car has sat in a garage for 2 of the three years. Anything else I need to check? I need to buy a battery for sure.

Please share some advice.

Thanks!

 

Drain your engine oil and replace along with a new oil filter.
Drain and flush your coolant system.
Replace upper and lower radiator hoses.
Replace thermostat.
Drain transmission fluid and replace.
Replace serpentine belt.
Replace air filter.
Replace fuel filter.
Replace pvc valve.
Replace plug wires and plugs.
Check and replace tires,brake pads and brake fluid.
Check all underhood rubber hoses and vaccum lines.
Check differential fluid replace if low.

Those are what i would start with you need to drain the old gas from your tank and flush it out.Put new gas in it and drive it around for a couple days and see if any ses lights show up/scan if so and have fun!

 

I would put in a new battery, change the oil and fire it up. Drive it to the station and put some fresh premium in and drive. The worst case, it may not start or run like crap, then address the situation.

 

I think all that other stuff is a waste of time if you don't prime the oiling system. If you don't, you MAY be ok. If you do, you WILL be ok.

Small shot of oil in the cylinders before cranking is a good idea also. Since it would appear you didn't fog the cylinders before you put it up.

Fuel has to come out. It has water in it. No sense in letting it get into the fuel rails.

 

Sounds like what I am wanting to hear. Several things I hadn't thought of. One question for Speedy, how do I prime the oiling system?

 

The CORRECT way is to remove the intake manifold and, using a SBC priming tool, spin the oil pump with a drill until you get oil pressure.

The OTHER way (which I personally don't recommend) is disconnecting the coil and injector fuses and spinning the motor over via the starter until you have good consistent oil pressure.

 

I would add premium fuel until it's almost full, and add some water in gas additive, to get rid of the water. Change the oil and filter, and make damn sure to prime the engine with oil. If you have time, you should remove the spark plugs and shoot some oil into the cylinders. Then unhook the coil wire and crank it over for about 30 seconds or less. Put the plugs and wires back in and fire her up. Ofcourse, check the tranny fluid if it's an automatic. Check the coolant, changing it is not mandatory. I wouldn't worry about the t-stat either, but that's me. Chances are it will fire right up and run fine. Always check the date on your tires to see if they are old, and also check for dryness/cracking. If in question, replace all four tires so you know what you have. Tires don't last forever, and just because they have good tread means nothing. They have been sitting for years in the same spot and probably have flat spots on them which is asking for problems. Hope this helps.

 

The reason you prime the oiling system is these engines can spin a bearing a little more easily than others. Even when everything is in good working order, it can happen. Ask Shoebox. It's also the reason you DON'T prime it by spinning the crank to drive the oil pump.

The other person is correct, you have to remove the intake manifold.

There is one other way if you insist that you are NOT going to remove the intake manifold.

 

My motor sat for 5 years before it was installed, that was 10 years ago.

 

Glad I read this thread, mine has been sitting since mid-october unable to start due to what I believe is a fuel pump issue. The car will likely sit until at least jan or feb, hopefully no later than march. Anything special I should do when I get her running again? I know I'm gonna need an oil change for sure, I unhooked the batt a few weeks ago.

 

Thanks for the info. guys. Since this is for everyone's info, what is the other way to prime the oiling system? I am assuming removing the manifold is the easier way since that is what was suggested?

 

You can buy an automatic oiler from summit or jegs. I hear they work wonders and is easier than taking off the manifold. They are a bit pricey though.

 

I have a few more questions guys, no one is saying anything about cleaning the fuel tank. Does that mean I can just drain it, it probably won't need cleaned? Can I drain the tank without dropping it? Maybe, remove the fuel filter and use the fuel pump to empty the tank? I thought it would need the tank removed so I could clean it. It is sounding like that might be overkill?

 

Pull the filter and use the fuel pump prime connector to pump it out. Look at what comes out and how fast the fuel pumps out to determine if you need to clean the tank.

Personally I would buy about 10 gallons and add a cleaner like Star-tron to it and put it in. Then pump it out and see what it brings with it. Maybe even do it a couple of times with the same 10 gallons with the cleaner in it.

We sell and recommend Star-tron for cleaning purposes. It works too good sometimes.

Incidentally, the current Summit catalog has the very question you asked about starting a car that sat for over 10 years. While Professor Overdrive did say to lubricate the cylinders, he did not mention priming the oil system. Still think it's cheap insurance with an engine that likes to eat bearings.

 

Thanks for the reply, I am glad to hear dropping the tank isn't necessary. I am not liking the idea of tearing too much apart, but I will do what is necessary. Could you explain just a little or link me somewhere as to what you mean about using the fuel pump prime connector? I was going to pull the filter and turn on the key, are you saying I can jump a connector to run the pump? Where would be a good place to buy this cleaner you are talking about? Parts store or hit the internet?

Thanks again guys, hopefully this thread will help a few others too!