Eclipse has been sitting for a year and a half. What now?

[RallyEclipse98]

It has been sitting in a garage with an indoor car cover on it for a year and a half while I have been at college. Now, when I put it away I put sta-bil in the fuel tank (did not run it through the system though), I put some WD-40 on the disc brakes to keep them from rusting, put some moisture catch stuff in the interior to keep it dry and mold free, I left the car in first gear without the handbrake, I covered the exhaust tip to keep mice out, covered the intake filter to keep mice from nesting around it, put a tarp under the car on the cement so the bottom wouldn't rust, and I put cardboard pieces under the wipers so they wouldn't stick to the glass. I believe that's all I did. So in a few months I will be bringing it out of storage. What all should I do when the time comes? I made a little list:

1. Replace fuel filter (was going bad when I put the car away)
2. check tire pressures and hope the tires aren't squared
3. Replace spark plugs (they haven't been replaced for awhile anyway)
4. Trickle charge the battery and hope it comes to life (doubt it)
5. Check all wiring etc. to make sure mice didn't get to it
7. Do fresh oil change with filter
8. Apologize to the DSM for letting it sit that long

If I think of more I will add to the list. Anything else I need to do?

 

[No_Skillz]

Disconnect fuel pump and prime motor. Don't boost until you've used up the nasty gas. Next tank, use some injector cleaner. When that tank is empty, THEN change the oil filter, oil, fuel filter, and have fun boosting.

 

[cs82685]

Disconnect fuel pump and prime motor. Don't boost until you've used up the nasty gas. Next tank, use some injector cleaner. When that tank is empty, THEN change the oil filter, oil, fuel filter, and have fun boosting.

don't forget what subforum you're posting in mikey

OP, I think you're pretty squared away with what you've gotta do. Any reason you didn't just disconnect the battery when you put the car away so you wouldn't have to worry about it draining?

 

[Jeff99GS]

You're probably going to need a new battery or at least a good charge on your old one.

 

[No_Skillz]

don't forget what subforum you're posting in mikey

OP, I think you're pretty squared away with what you've gotta do. Any reason you didn't just disconnect the battery when you put the car away so you wouldn't have to worry about it draining?

Wups. It's been so long since I've been on here...

 

[tsiAWD91x]

Im in the same boat as you pal. IF i were you i would pull the timing cover and prime the oilpump (this is what i did) and i would do that after you change the oil and filter. you got to figure gravity works against you in that long of a time frame most of the oil has prob made is way down from the top of the motor. AND 2 there isnt much of an oil coat in the crank bearings (if any... if you turn it over even to prime you risking scratching the bearings. AND 3 make sure all your belts and timing belts parts ect are in good shape since thats the brain of the motor that goes and your motor is toast JUST MY 2 ADVICE take it OR LEAVE IT (im suprised the more knowladgable guys didnt suggest this already, thats where i come to the rescue jk)

good luck

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Im in the same boat as you pal. IF i were you i would pull the timing cover and prime the oilpump (this is what i did) and i would do that after you change the oil and filter. you got to figure gravity works against you in that long of a time frame most of the oil has prob made is way down from the top of the motor. AND 2 there isnt much of an oil coat in the crank bearings (if any... if you turn it over even to prime you risking scratching the bearings. AND 3 make sure all your belts and timing belts parts ect are in good shape since thats the brain of the motor that goes and your motor is toast JUST MY 2 ADVICE take it OR LEAVE IT (im suprised the more knowladgable guys didnt suggest this already, thats where i come to the rescue jk)

good luck

Should I change the oil before starting the motor or after? My concern is that the oil will be too thick to come out well if I do the change first thing. And how do I prime the oil pump?

 

[cfriddle]

Change your oil first thing I wouldn't even attempt to crank it without changing it. Oils viscosity breaks down over after a 3 month period of time. Wouldn't be a bad idea to shoot a little marvel mystery oil or fogging oil down each cylinder and let it sit for a day or so. Don't use to much don't want you hydro-locking. Could be some surface rust that might cause some problems till you get the oil moving again. You should be fine.

 

[cfriddle]

Best way would be to remove the timing belt and prime the pump by hand but thats going to involve some work. The other way would be to disable the ignition system and crank the engine over until you see oil pressure. I would also change the oil again after about 500 miles. It's a little overkill but better to be safe. Oils going to be settled into the oil pan you'll probably get more out of it now then you would starting it and letting it warm up before draining it.

 

[efrainz28]

Add a little bit of oil in each cylinder because moister will cause the cylinder wall to rust. The oil will protect the piston rings and cylinder walls on the initial start up. My car was in my garage for 3 half year. That's what I did and replaced all the timing parts. (also water pump,oil)

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Change your oil first thing I wouldn't even attempt to crank it without changing it. Oils viscosity breaks down over after a 3 month period of time.

Oil doesn't break down over a certain amount of time... it doesn't have a shelf life like gasoline. The "change your oil every three months" myth predicated regular use of the car.

OP, I'd say you have all of your ducks in a row. I'm surprised to see how many sticklers we have here, but it doesn't hurt to be overly cautious.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Best way would be to remove the timing belt and prime the pump by hand but thats going to involve some work. The other way would be to disable the ignition system and crank the engine over until you see oil pressure.

I'm not afraid of a little work. How would you do it? Just turn it by hand over and over? I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[Jeff99GS]

I would just drop a cap full of oil in each cylinder. If you are taking the timing belt off to prime the engine you might as well change the belt too while you are at it.

However I would just drop a capfull of oil in each cylinder.

It will smoke a little but It will burn off.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

I would just drop a cap full of oil in each cylinder. If you are taking the timing belt off to prime the engine you might as well change the belt too while you are at it.

However I would just drop a capfull of oil in each cylinder.

It will smoke a little but It will burn off.

See that's what I was thinking but I checked over on 2gnt and no one said anything about that in thread. But so far my plan is to do an oil change first thing, when I change the plugs, pour a cap full of oil in each cylinder, put plugs back in and disconnected the spark. Then key crank the engine for maybe 10 seconds.

 

[bullettdsm]

You aren't seriously taking off the timing belt to prime the oil pump, are you? Totally unnecessary.

MB

 

[rush2252]

+1 to bullett.

Just unhook the coil pack and crank it. Most of these posts are overkill. EVEN if the car has been sitting awhile you could still go out fire it up and drive it. ( If the battery isnt dead) Ive pulled a few NT cars out of junk yards my 99 It busted right off after sitting for 5 years. Just put a battery in it and it started. It was out in the elements and even ran on the bad gas. Alot of these posts are people "overthinking things" Just check tire pressure battery charge then start it and drive it awhile when it reaches operating temps go do the oil change.

And whoever said oil runs down from the top of the motor? Maybe you should pull a 420 head and study the design. Theres not a whole lot of places for all of the oil to run to the crank.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

You aren't seriously taking off the timing belt to prime the oil pump, are you? Totally unnecessary.

MB

No. After researching it more I realized it would be dumb. Someone else did suggest it, but I won't do it.

 

[tsiAWD91x]

No. After researching it more I realized it would be dumb. Someone else did suggest it, but I won't do it.

sut your self buddy... when you have shavings in your pan down the road or premature bearing failure, im goin to say told ya so (whats the extra precaution goin to hurt why not be extra safe).. AND for the guys sayin you cant be serious.. yea im serious, I put 5K plus in my motor why the heck not double check the timing componets after sitting a year and a half. esp if it wasnt garage kept. there is prob no oil to lube them bearings after a year and a half not to mention the cam area. like i said before its just advice take it or leave it. I just finished the restore on mine and i feel confident everythings ready to rock and roll...no need for someone to burn on me like the other guys did..you do your own work and ill do mine..period

 

[RallyEclipse98]

When cranking the engine over for the first time, could I just pull the spark plug wires off the plugs and crank it over like that? It wouldn't hurt anything would it?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

When cranking the engine over for the first time, could I just pull the spark plug wires off the plugs and crank it over like that? It wouldn't hurt anything would it?

You could also just disconnect the ignition coil...

 

[RallyEclipse98]

You could also just disconnect the ignition coil...

Good looking out. Thanks!