Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Starting a car that has sat for 4 years

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

Moisture absorbent for fuel tank

Fuel system may require considerable cleaning.

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...

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.

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.

Sea foam for the hell of it

This followed with this.

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-44k-fuel-system-cleaner/

Check the air cleaner box for acorns and dog food kibble

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.

Like has been said

Sound advice 👍

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!

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

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.

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.

Get boosted and wear a mask

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.

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.

Bingo! Don't forget to do a walk around and check the trunk for parts!

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.