Auto issues? car has been sitting?

Question

I have a car that has been sitting 2 years. Obviously, it will need a new battery, tires and hoses? What other items should I be concerned about to get running again:

Answer 1

I've de-mothballed a car which was sitting for about 2 years. Ouch!

The car already had electrical problems. Rodents took up residence in the car. Wiring had to be repaired (soldering iron, heat shrink tubing, and tape. Crimp connectors can work too).

Gasoline (petrol) will decompose in as little as a couple months (fuel stabilizer is sold in hardware and auto parts stores). I peeled gunk off the fuel pump and fuel gauge sender (after taking them out the tank) like "fruit roll-ups." Both had to be replaced, as well as the fuel filter. The fuel injectors and the rest of the fuel supply system had to be cleaned also. You may need a new fuel pressure regulator too. Drain the tank and try to get as much of the gunk out of it as possible. Spark plugs and wires might be necessary - at least pull them, clean and gap them (don't if they are platinum, just replace them with new platinum or iridium ones).

While you're replacing the hoses, also look at new belts (including the timing belt set: belt, tensioner pulley, & seals). Check the air filter and budget for that too.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture out of the air. Moisture is bad for your brake system. Use a turkey baster to suck all the brake fluid out the master cylinder (the clutch too, if the car is manual with a hydraulic clutch). Then refill the master cylinder with fresh brake fluid from a sealed container and then bleed the system (until the fluid is both clean and free of bubbles). Repeat every 18 to 24 months for the life of the vehicle. DON'T return the turkey baster to the kitchen after you're done. That could be hazardous to your health.

Antifreeze also has corrosion preventative chemicals in it. The chemicals in antifreeze lose effectiveness over time. Regular antifreeze should be flushed and re-filled every 24 months. Extended life (expensive) antifreeze can go about 48 to 60 months between flushes. Flush and fill the engine and radiator with 50/50 antifreeze (buy full strength and dilute it with distilled or purified water yourself - this is cheaper than buying 2 bottles of 50/50 premix).

Oil and filter change too.

Spray some fabric refresher onto the seats and carpet. Wipe some protectant onto the dash and doors (but not the steering wheel - protectant can make the steering wheel slippery). Wash the car in the shade or early morning or late evening (washing in bright sunlight is bad for the paint).

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Answer 2

You'll want to change the thermostat to be safe, new coolant, change the oil and filter...and you may want to change the fluid and filter in the transmission (auto) as well...

Under the car, try greasing any fittings, and get a spray bottle of silicone lube to spray all rubber suspension bushings...that should get you moving, then exercise the brakes a bit, to check for operation, especially the parking brake too...

Answer 3

If there was gas in the tank you might have to have the gas tank cleaned and sealed . Make sure you have the proper level of motor oil, check the brake fluid for water.Then add fresh gas , you could add water to the radiator to bring it up to the level you want, but right after it runs and warms up check the tranny fluid start changing the oil etc. cross your fingers. Good Luck

Answer 4

What year is the car? Change the oil and filter. Change the air and fuel filters also.

If you haven't started it at all, the gas may be no good. Also, check for any buildup of leaves or residents (rodents, birds) living in the engine or trunk areas.

Answer 5

Buy yourself a set of spark plugs and when you pull them out squirt a little transmission fluid into the plug hole to give the rings a little lubrication until the engine is up and supplying it on its own. CHANGE THAT OIL AND FILTER!!! and be sure to fill the filter with oil before you put it on so that that dry engine will get oil supply as soon as possible!

Answer 6

possibly fuel pump and gas tank. fuel filter, coolant, engine oil, transmission and differential fluids would be a good idea also. if the gas tank is full or close to full it may be OK, but take a sample of the fuel and if its discolored or smells strange remove the tank and check everything real good before trying to start it.

Answer 7

My neighbor had an identical subject and the 'professionals" at Firestone supply her a $500 track-up. did not do something for the project she had complained approximately. mutually as she grew to become into out of state for a week in California she left her automobile interior the storage and that i regarded after her abode. whilst she got here abode, her automobile does not start off. She had reported that if she did not stress it each 2 days the battery might run down and the motor vehicle does not start off. The storage grew to become into cool and the 1st factor I regarded at grew to become into her cellular-telephone skill furnish plugged into the cigarette lighter. It grew to become into heat mutually as something ot the motor vehicle grew to become into cool. there grew to become right into a sticky label on the realm of the cellular-telephone skill furnish that reported, "do not bypass away plugged in whilst not in use." leap began her automobile and instructed her to bypass away this tiny skill furnish unplugged whilst she wasn't utilising it. subject solved. That grew to become into all she mandatory to do all alongside. different subject I observed grew to become into whilst she had her battery replaced (her first attempt to scientific care the project) the installer did not positioned the battery carry down (Clamp like thingy) returned the place it belonged so her battery grew to become into sliding around on magnificent of the battery tray. this might reason a quick if the battery terminals touch something decrease than the hood. those activities are in many situations called a "parasitic draw". a keep that makes a speciality of electric artwork can diagnose and restore those issues very effectively. might desire to take decrease than an hour to diagnose and repir maximum parasitic attracts. good success!

Answer 8

Change oil and antifreeze. Some of the seals and gaskets might be dried out also.

Answer 9

Change all the fluids to gas, oil, etc.

Answer 10

change all the fluids. I like BG products and additives.I buy mine from gosses garage. they are very expensive, but they are worth it.