My grandmother Owns a 78 Dodge Magnum XE, in mint condition. She had recently had a tune up before getting too sick to drive it in Oct.91. She gave it to me and I dont even know where to start. Other than getting a battery and try to turn it over. Please Help! Thanks
2007-01-17 09:54:51 · 6 answers · asked by MTown_38108 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Drain gas tank, change oil and filter. check all fluids. replace any dirty fluids like brakes.
Make sure brakes haven't seized up and won't let go of the rotors.
Get a new battery.
Add new gas, change spark plugs and wires.
Check all the belts for wear.
Change tires they are surely dry rotted.
Run seafoam through engine, and look for little critters that might have nested in places that could suck into the engine to cause problems!
Go to a web forum about you specific vehicle to talk to other owners who may have more ideas and know of the specific fix to your car.
2007-01-17 10:04:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think even fuel stabilizer would help after that long.
You really need a mechanic as the fuel has probably evaporated from the carburator and varnished the insides. The oil has all setlled and perhaps coagulated in the little ports its supposed to pump through to lube the bearings. Rusty cyclinders, someone else mentioned rubber parts rotting.
Don't get me wrong - if it was in mint condition, this is still a great find! Just don't poour gas in it, change the battery and turn the key - you could ruin it. Please let a mechanic do the most critical items FIRST.
They'll change the oil, check over the rubber. Replace the battery, try and flush the carb, but it'll probably need to be rebuilt due to the varnish. Empty and flush the gas tank. All fluids need flushed and replaced. Maybe even use a special oil pump, electric, to get the oil flowing throughout the engine prior to starting. Just like they do when you rebuild one. The plugs and wires might be OK. Wiper blades and probably tires will have to go - but don't worry about that until you know the engine's OK.
2007-01-17 10:10:07 · answer #2 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
unless she put in fuel stabilzer the fuel lines might be bad. When gasoline, sits for so long in the lines it can cause major damage to the lines and could cause a fire. So have those checked out, hell you could do it if you have any sense. other than that, the tires might need to be replaced. Anything rubber could be rotted, so check the belts and hoses too. Your engine should be fine as long as it had oil in it but just to be safe, see if you can turn the engine over a couple times without starting it to get the oil pumped over itself and make sure the oil is clean as well.
2007-01-17 10:01:37 · answer #3 · answered by alienorgy69 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the biggest problem is seals drying out and failing.carb seals
valve stem seals,etc. can all dry out & crack if a car has set for long periods. gas in the gas tank can also go bad & gum up line or the carb. this is a pretty nice car so get it started & look for leaks. buy some gas conditioner & new gas first though
2007-01-17 10:05:11 · answer #4 · answered by charles m 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fuel system has to be completely gone through. If it was in a dry climate the eng may be okay, but I would pull the distrib and prime it before trying to start it.
2007-01-17 10:16:12 · answer #5 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is probably locked up. the seals will be bad in the carb,engine and transmission. it will leak everthing and run bad,if it turns over or runs at all.
2007-01-17 10:04:12 · answer #6 · answered by kissmy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋