|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 489
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 489 |
I have an old Acura that hasn't been started in about 4 years. It was running great before being parked. I plan on putting a battery in it and cranking it up. Anything I should do to it before I try and start it? I recall some old threads dealing with this subject but can't remember the suggestions. Thanks -tnscouter
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3 |
Moisture absorbent for fuel tank
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636 |
Fuel system may require considerable cleaning.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,444 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,444 Likes: 3 |
Biggest issue might be old gas... Other than that check all the fluids, Check under the hood for rodent nests, Especially in the air intake... other than that, Fire it up and keep an eye on the gauges as it warms up... And check the tire pressure before driving it...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,192
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,192 |
I would drain the gas, change the fuel filter, blow the lines out backward, refill and cross your fingers.
Oh yeah, check oil and coolant levels.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,864 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,864 Likes: 5 |
It'll run.
Even on the old gas. If you are planning to use it, I would dump some ethanol free in after You get it going. Maybe match what is in the tank. When that's consumed, change fuel filters.
EFI doesn't have the issues with fuel that carbs do. A little sludge plugs up the low pressure/vacuum passages of a carb. Injection can push through it, solvent action then cleans things.
We had a Subaru sitting in the yard over 3 years. Tires flat, sunk in the dirt. It fired after about 30 seconds of cranking, smoothed out within a minute.
Wouldn't move though. The brake pads had rusted and swollen against the rotors. Pulled the pads and drove it on the trailer.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3 |
Sea foam for the hell of it
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,751 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,751 Likes: 6 |
It'll run.
Even on the old gas. If you are planning to use it, I would dump some ethanol free in after You get it going. Maybe match what is in the tank. When that's consumed, change fuel filters.
EFI doesn't have the issues with fuel that carbs do. A little sludge plugs up the low pressure/vacuum passages of a carb. Injection can push through it, solvent action then cleans things.
We had a Subaru sitting in the yard over 3 years. Tires flat, sunk in the dirt. It fired after about 30 seconds of cranking, smoothed out within a minute.
Wouldn't move though. The brake pads had rusted and swollen against the rotors. Pulled the pads and drove it on the trailer. This followed with this. https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-44k-fuel-system-cleaner/
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41 |
Check the air cleaner box for acorns and dog food kibble
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,171
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,171 |
I'd try to get a breaker bar and socket on the crank and turn it over before you hit it with the starter. Then I would pull the plugs if you can get to them, dump a little Techron in and spin the motor. After that everything everybody else said.
Last edited by smarquez; 07/15/22.
Fight fire, save lives, laugh in the face of danger.
Stupid always finds a way.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 14,370
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 14,370 |
Like has been said It'll run.
Even on the old gas. If you are planning to use it, I would dump some ethanol free in after You get it going. Maybe match what is in the tank. When that's consumed, change fuel filters.
EFI doesn't have the issues with fuel that carbs do. A little sludge plugs up the low pressure/vacuum passages of a carb. Injection can push through it, solvent action then cleans things.
We had a Subaru sitting in the yard over 3 years. Tires flat, sunk in the dirt. It fired after about 30 seconds of cranking, smoothed out within a minute.
Wouldn't move though. The brake pads had rusted and swollen against the rotors. Pulled the pads and drove it on the trailer. This followed with this. https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-44k-fuel-system-cleaner/Sound advice 👍
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,192
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,192 |
Easy on the seafoam. A little is okay, too much will clean the old gelled fuel out of your tank and REALLY plug things up!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,766 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,766 Likes: 1 |
As already posted ^ ^ ^ ^ Don't try to turn it over without cleaning the fuel system thoroughly, and squirting some foofoo down the plug holes
You'll just be saving yourself a lot of grief
BTDT a bunch of times Good Luck
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,308 Likes: 16
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,308 Likes: 16 |
It'll run.
Even on the old gas. If you are planning to use it, I would dump some ethanol free in after You get it going. Maybe match what is in the tank. When that's consumed, change fuel filters.
EFI doesn't have the issues with fuel that carbs do. A little sludge plugs up the low pressure/vacuum passages of a carb. Injection can push through it, solvent action then cleans things.
We had a Subaru sitting in the yard over 3 years. Tires flat, sunk in the dirt. It fired after about 30 seconds of cranking, smoothed out within a minute.
Wouldn't move though. The brake pads had rusted and swollen against the rotors. Pulled the pads and drove it on the trailer. Yep. Dad’s last Ranch Truck, a 92 Chevy 2500 3/4 ton had been sitting at the Ranch for 3 years after he died. Put a new battery on it and it started right up after about 15 seconds of cranking. Put some fuel conditioner and fresh gas in it was all I did besides the new battery. Drove it about 20 miles to the nearest town to top off the 40 gallon gas tank and the engine ran as smooth as ever by the time I made it back to the Ranch.
Last edited by chlinstructor; 07/15/22.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,568 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,568 Likes: 4 |
Some good checks noted above. If faced with this and considered the car to be of useful value, I would be a bit more cautious than some.
Do all of the noted checks.
My main concerns would be dry surfaces and bad fuel - particularly if the stuff in the tank is ethanol.
So, would have the fuel from tank pump into a clear container - for inspection and smell test. Fuel the engine by gravity feed from small tank or long funnel to input on engine - use good fuel to get it started and run for a bit.
Before starting, pull each plug and squirt in a small amount of light lube - Marvel Mystery or similar - and then spin the engine for at least 30 seconds with no spark - pull the coil wire, etc. Look for a bit of oil pressure to pump lube around.
Then, add spark and give it a whirl. If it runs OK (probably will) but the fuel coming from the fuel tank looks/smells bad - pump it all out.
Best wishes.
Last edited by CCCC; 07/15/22.
NRA Member - Life, Benefactor, Patron
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,183 Likes: 3 |
Get boosted and wear a mask
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11,392
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11,392 |
Watch about 30 episodes of Vice Grip Garage on YouTube as he does this with cars that have been sitting for 30+ years. That should get you good and ready.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,157
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,157 |
A buddy of mine just started a Geo Metro that had been sitting 9 years, a new battery and it started up in about 3 seconds. Fuel injection doesn't suffer from sitting like carbs do, it's amazing that most will still start after all those years. I'd check the fluids, stick a new battery in, and give it a try. Chances are it'll start. It'll let you know soon enough is there's something that needs fixing.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,510
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,510 |
Watch about 30 episodes of Vice Grip Garage on YouTube as he does this with cars that have been sitting for 30+ years. That should get you good and ready. Bingo! Don't forget to do a walk around and check the trunk for parts!
Old guy, old guns.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,645 Likes: 6
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,645 Likes: 6 |
Old fuel can cause varnish buildup on the intake valve stems, jamming them in the guides, leaving the stuck-open valve to be bent by a piston.
Used to work at an engine shop, saw it several times.
I would never run old gas through a motor. Ever.
Last edited by plumbum; 07/15/22.
|
|
|
|
672 members (160user, 219 Wasp, 1lessdog, 22250rem, 12344mag, 1beaver_shooter, 66 invisible),
2,223
guests, and
1,182
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,838
Posts18,496,789
Members73,979
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|