After long-term storage -- what should be done?

[Rice Over Wheat]

My car has been in storage for a year now in FL while I've been overseas, and I'm going to be back there in 3 weeks to take it out of storage. What should I do to ensure that I get her running again smooth and with minimal problems? I want to ease the car back into things the safest way possible.

I have a nice storage unit I rented that is completely enclosed, concrete floor. I left my car OFF blocks because I wanted to keep the compression on the springs, though I may have flat spots to deal with on brand new tires now. I left her with an almost empty tank, which was a mistake since I read that could rust the tank as well as turn the gasoline to syrup. I removed the battery when I stored it and it's laying on the floor...this will probably have to be replaced even though it was brand new. The car is also covered.

So far I think I should pull the plugs and squirt some motor oil down before cranking her since everything is bone dry now. Also I'll add fresh gas of course. Then take the car for a complete inspection...what else should I do?

 

[daren_p]

Not sure what all you should do when its been stored for that long, but what you already said sounds good. If the battery was sittng on a concrete floor, then you will more then likely have to replace it, it probably wont hold a load anymore. Also before you start it I would recommend you pull the engine fuse or sparkplug wires and crank it over for about 20 seconds to get the oil circulating & build oil pressure. Did you put any fuel stabilizer in before storage? If not should you drain the tank completely before putting in new fuel?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Definitely drain the oil and fuel. May want to add a bit more fuel in there to rinse out any crud still left. I'd also replace the coolant and do a flush.

As said above.. crank the motor over in a few intervals without the MPI fuse to get the new oil to flow.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Thanks for the advice. No I didn't add anything to the fuel before I stored the car. It's on a near empty tank though...instead of draining what if I put about 5 gallons in it of fresh fuel and additive to clean it? If not, how best to drain the fuel? The way the car is stored, I can only drive my car out of there and there isn't really room to do much maintenance since it's a 16 x 20 unit and a very tight fit.

Lastly, perhaps a stupid question but where is the engine fuse and is it safe to pull all the plug wires and crank it like that? I leave the plugs in while I do it?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Thanks for the advice. No I didn't add anything to the fuel before I stored the car. It's on a near empty tank though...instead of draining what if I put about 5 gallons in it of fresh fuel and additive to clean it? If not, how best to drain the fuel?

I'd really drain it first so that any rust crud doesn't immediately funk up your fuel filter (which may want to change soon as well as the oil filter). There is a 24mm drain bolt on the DS rear of the fuel tank which is pretty accessable.

Lastly, perhaps a stupid question but where is the engine fuse and is it safe to pull all the plug wires and crank it like that? I leave the plugs in while I do it?

The MPI fuse is a block-type fuse right off the (+) battery terminal.

Good luck

 

[daren_p]

Thanks for the advice. No I didn't add anything to the fuel before I stored the car. It's on a near empty tank though...instead of draining what if I put about 5 gallons in it of fresh fuel and additive to clean it? If not, how best to drain the fuel? The way the car is stored, I can only drive my car out of there and there isn't really room to do much maintenance since it's a 16 x 20 unit and a very tight fit.

Lastly, perhaps a stupid question but where is the engine fuse and is it safe to pull all the plug wires and crank it like that? I leave the plugs in while I do it?

On the 2g the fuse I pull is located in the fuse box thats on the passenger side between your strut & intake. The fuse is marked Engine.

 

[bert043]

If u want to turn the engine over but not start it I always just unplug all the injectors seeing as they are right there infront of u. I do that everytime i change my oil too. I was told to do that and i figure it definatly doesn't hurt.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I didn't expect a generic topic like this to get much views so I appreciate it. In exactly 2 weeks I will try what everyone suggested. I just pray she'll start without much fuss...still just 59k miles on her so she's still young for a 96.