Asking for a bit of auto advice :)

[Ahpook]

I have a car that i have had in storage for a little over 2 years. I would like to get it running now that i have a bit of time and a few extra bucks. Yesterday, i got a battery for it but was reluctant to crank the engine since its been down so long.

My question is, what should i probably take care of before turning the key? :) I plan on an oil change and a tune up, which i will do here at home before i even attempt to turn the engine over.

My fear is blowing it up:) It has been stagnant, but it ran well before i had to put it in storage. Anything besides the obvious two maintenance issues i mentioned?

Appreciate any advice

[caty]

1. Remove each

spark plug. Spray WD40 inside each cylinder liberally. Replace spark plugs and let the car sit overnight. Then start. Two years is not really very long. No starting spray through the air cleaner--it could burn out sensors. That with the oil change and tune up should take care of it.

[Ahpook]

2. Thanks for the reply

Top engine lubrication was my biggest concern. A spray of WD-40 will cure that for the few seconds until oil is slung proper?

[caty]

3. The WD40

is just to make sure piston rings are not seized to cylinder walls. Your oil pump will send the oil to crank shaft, lifters, and camshaft.

[Ahpook]

5. Very nice.Thank you:)

I will do just that.

[caty]

6. My husband

dictated this info to me. He's the "car guy" in the family.

[Roon]

4. don't rev the engine once you get it started

let it idle for a few.

[caty]

7. Also,

disconnect coil wire so car won't start and crank over engine a few times just to pump the oil up through the engine before car starts.

[Ahpook]

9. That's the tidbits i was looking for:)

Should the transmission be OK? I mean for a few days. I will get the fluid and filter replaced, asap.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. The transmission should be fine. And the trans fluid.

The oil should be ok, too, though I'd change it after getting it warmed up.

The gas is the iffy part. After two years it may have gummed things up.

I'd go ahead and start it, just don't rev the engine, let it warm up.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Make sure you have no mice, rat, or squirrel nests in the car

and if you do, clean them out first.

[Ahpook]

10. Think i am ok there..

But thanks:)

[Gold Metal Flake]

12. Is this car carbureted or fuel injected?

If carbureted, the fuel in the carburetor may have dried up. This presents several potential problems.

One, the carb will have to be refilled with fuel before the engine can start. The advice above about removing the coil wire and cranking the engine for 30 seconds or so will help to also allow the fuel pump (most likely a mechanical pump actuated by the engine) to pull fuel from the pump and fill the carb float bowl. One can also add gas directly to the carb through the float bowl vent. One must be slow and careful doing this. Don't spill, don't poor into the carb venturi (into the engine) and don't put in more than three shots worth. Make a teenager do it. ;-)

Two, carb gaskets can shrink when they get dry. This is a common problem with the Holley carbs I use, but it depends on how the carb is built. Shrunk gaskets can leak and cause poor fuel metering or external leaks.

Three, the more volatile elements of gasoline can evaporate before the heavier portions, leaving behind a syrupy sludge. This clogs stuff up. I am working on a pair of Kawasaki carbs that are heavily gummed up.. But, two years is not that long of a time.

A fuel injected engine has an electric fuel pump and it will prime the system faster than a mechanical pump.

Now, this next bit of advice is a bit on the gross side. You have probably smelled gasoline before. Bad gas smells different than fresh gas. Compare the smell of the gas at the filler neck with your current driver (just remove the cap and use your hand to "waft" the air above the tube towards your nose. No reason to stuff your nose in like a wine taster). If it smells very different, you might want to have it towed to a mechanic and have him purge the fuel system. Bad gas don't burn well at all.

Good luck!

[Ahpook]

13. Thanks alot...

The car is fuel injected. Doubt it matters but i put it in storage on empty, or close to it. I'll get some fresh fuel before i crank it.

By the way, it's a 1991 Mustang GT if you have any other ideas?

That car was a pain in my ass for the most part. Luckily, during the 90's i had a friend that worked at a Ford dealership. He helped me keep the thing on the road.

It was certainly fun while it ran:)

But, i want it running to sell it. It is just sitting in storage.

[Gold Metal Flake]

14. Ahh, the 5.0HO?

I am a Ford guy of considerable fealty. I have a 5.0 powered 1990 Merc (non-HO), a 460 powered '58, a 302 powered '68 Cougar and a 351 Cleveland and a 352FE in the shed.

Add some gas and give it a try. It has a roller cam, so problems in that area due to an initial lack of lube at startup is not a concern from my point of view. I think it will start without too much trouble.

:thumbsup:

[Ahpook]

15. I will in the next couple days:)

I wouldn't sell a lemon to anyone, but the first few years of owning the thing put me through hell. Every damn month a sensor would go out. Plus the transmission died at around 60K.

Like i said, it was a fun car when it ran.

I'll probably get it started and decide to not sell it:)