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2G My Car Has Sat For Years

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Blurred Talon

15+ Year Contributor
2,307
43
Jan 2, 2004
Paradise, NL_Canada
So as many people know, my car has sat for many years, outside. I think I'm coming up on the 4 year mark now.
I know my gas is more like paint thinner now and I can plainly see my tires are shot (I have new rims/tires).

Question is what else is needs to be replaced. I'm guessing I need to do a visual?

I've got new rotors (pads should be good). I'm replacing all my fuel/brake line anyhow (and the fuel pump).

Anything else?
 
So as many people know, my car has sat for many years, outside. I think I'm coming up on the 4 year mark now.
I know my gas is more like paint thinner now and I can plainly see my tires are shot (I have new rims/tires).

Question is what else is needs to be replaced. I'm guessing I need to do a visual?

I've got new rotors (pads should be good). I'm replacing all my fuel/brake line anyhow (and the fuel pump).

Anything else?

This is kind of obvious but the engine oil and filter needs to be changed. I would use a cheap oil for a few heat cycles to help dry up any moisture or deposits and then run your regular oil. And when you start running it again mere an eye on wheel bearings I've had issues with them in various vehicles after long periods of sitting my guess is moisture.
 
Yeah aside from the tires- I would also replace the fuel filter. You don't know what kind of deposits have been sitting in there- And it could get ugly.

I would also choose a thin shot of WD40 / White Lithium grease on the throttle body butterfly. Just to make sure it's still in working order and good to go.

Spark plugs and wires should be fine, but new plugs would never hurt anything :D.

Expect some noisey stops as you rub all that rust off from your rotors. Brakes should be fine, but you definitely want to not worry about noisey first drives.

Lastly, wash and wax that bad boy!
 
I've got a -6AN tank to rail kit with new filter so that will take car of the fuel filter. Oil is a given.
The motor still turns by hand so it's not seized.

Thanks guys!
 
I'd replace belts as well, at least the timing belt.

I always wondered if timing belts and tensioners wear just from the car sitting. Say you replace the timing belt and tensioner then the car sits for several years would they wear and tear? I would think no but maybe someone more experienced could chime in about that.
 
Take all your spark plugs out and spray some wd40 down in your cylinders an hand crank the engine a couple times.

Also disconnect the fuel feed line at the tank and routed to an empty jug and don't connect it until you get clean fuel coming through. Since your replacing the pump, go ahead and replace the strainer too.

Check all your rubber brake hoses for cracks and if you can, go ahead and flush all the old brake fluid.

Once you get the car running, check around the fuel rail for leaks at the injectors.

This is generally why I do when I buy a car that has been sitting for a while.
 
As far as te timing tensioner goes, my car sat for about 6 years and I didn't have any issues with the tensioner, but just check the timing belt for cracks and slack at top dead center.
 
Oh, cars don't like sitting. When I was in college, I had a few cars (didn't even need one) so they sat a lot. After reviving them, I had all sorts of issues from brake master cylinder failure to seized A/C compressors and whiny power steering pumps.

Your engine will be fine but chances are you'll get some strange noises/leaks after the initial startup. Maybe a thing or two will be broken - usually some ancillary piece. Hopefully there have been no leaks and the interior hasn't gone moldy.
 
Thanks again everyone.

The car has been built/rebuilt during this time. Interior has been pulled because I dyed it black.
New fuel lines, new brake lines, new fuel pump, new fuel filter, new brake master cylinder (booster delete), new MR2 Electro-Hydraulic power steering pump, etc etc.
Think I'll be add an aluminum rad and new coolant lines to the list too.

Crossing my fingers for no issues.
 
My old Dodge that I had sat for 20 years outside with no prep at all. It took an oil change, fresh gas and cleaned points and it ran fine. Became a daily driver for a while till I sold it last month.
 
I've never had a car sit but just thinking what is under stress while sitting, would suspension (shocks and struts) see any wear? Like if they're compressed would they lose some of their tension? Just trying to think of anything, most bases have been covered.
 
Belt stretch, primarily including that of the timing belt, could definitely occur. It's just that it would stretch in certain spots rather than being evenly distributed through normal wear. Hence, you'd end up with a potential bulge, which could cause it to slip under heavier load. I doubt that sort of stretch will also reduce over time.
You could stretch the accessory belts and pump belts, but I figure that's less important here.

Now, how long that actually takes and to what extent the stretch will be, is totally up for debate.. unless somebody has 5 years to do some tests :D
 
I recommend All Fluids & Filters, Belts (including timing), and an overall visual check. I wouldn't try to rush it as I know it can be exciting getting it up and working again! Just make sure you take your time and take care of what needs to be done :hellyeah:
 
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