What do i need to do to a car that has been sitting around for over a year?

Question

My friend wants to give me a car that's been sitting around for over a year. I don't know much about cars. It needs new tires and brakes, but I want to send it to Farm and Fleet for that, but what needs to be done to the car before I need to start it up. It'll need a new battery and an oil change. Does Farm and Fleet to oil changes? And what else should be done too?

It's a 97 ford taurus

Answer 1

if the estimates for repair will be more than the cost of a brand new car then might as well sell it to any junk shops. now if you have a thing with old cars and wants to preserve it then go ahead or you can go to the reality show "Pimp My Ride", who knows your car might be chosen (it's not a joke). good luck.

Answer 2

Make sure all the fluids are full!!! Well not the gas it will not take much to see if it is going to run, but the other important ones. Water, oil, transmission, if it runs then make sure you have brake fluid! It could cost you over $100 bucks just to see if it will run! Plugs, wires, battery, pray it dose not need some electrical or computer part! Hundreds & hundreds of dollars.. If it has a carburetor it may need primed (pour gas into the top) but you'd better let someone who know how do that!! It could shoot out a flame! If it has to have a bunch of stuff you should just get what you can for it, it was free! Parts & labor to fix one can extremely expensive especially when you don't know what all is wrong! What kind of car is it and what year model? Find out why it has been sitting and what was the last known problem so the mechanic will have an idea were to start. I might be able to find some info for you.

Answer 3

Basic tune up for starters. Change the oil, plugs, cap, rotor, air filter, gas filter and stuff like that. Watch for any leaks when you start to drive it because sometimes the gaskets dry out causing them to leak. Make sure your brakes are not froze in place too so becareful when moving it for the first time. Also make sure your tires ar still good. I know it sounds like a lot but better safe than sorry, always put safety first thats why there is so much 2 do. Good luck and be safe.OH Yeah also check the battery and get different gas asap it usually goes bad and collects moisture. Also the wipers should be checked, and the radiator should be flushed out and replaced with new fluids. Don't for get to check the other fluids such as power steering,brakes,washer fluid,oil, tranny fluid,and stuff like that.Most places will do all that for a resonable price. They can also check out everything else that may need to be replaced, Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well the first thing you need to do befor you spend all this money these people are suggestion you do befor you even try to start it. Is you need a fairly charged battery not a new one just something to see if the motor will even turn over and try to start. For all we know the motor may be locked up and not even crank at all, if this is the case, it all depends upon what kind of car it is being giving to you, what kind of shape the exterior & interior are in, what year it is depends alot on how much the car running or not is worth. You did not mention the year or model of the car, this makes a big difference as what to do with the car if it will or will not turn over. If it is a muscle car of the 60 or early 70 it is worth a good deal of money running or not . Take for instance a 69 Chevelle or camaro is worth any where from $700.00 to $1500.00 in terrible condition. As to where for instance a 1995 toyota tercel average condition not running is worth $200.00. I am telling you this because if the car in question motor is locked up and is not worth investing money in to get it to operateing and you decide to junk it are what ever now what it is worth befor you sell it. But if the car will turn over and try to start then you can start investing money into it starting with the fluids and lubercants first to get the car running. then start changing the plugs plugwires and so on. Hope this helps you.

Answer 5

It will need a new battery as you state. The oil change is a good idea but not necessary to start it. You will need to add new gasoline to the tank, the old gas will not be as good as it used to be. Get a can of starting fluid (ether). Spray a SHORT amount into the air intake. Too much can cause severe damage. (I saw a "mechanic" set an intake on fire with an explosion following). If it tries to start but will not run, the gas may need to be taken out and replaced. I am assuming it was running well when it was parked.

Answer 6

I would want to pull the spark plugs and put a shot of oil down each cylinder to help it get going until the oil pump can start pumping oil into the heads and cylinders. When you have the brakes done, it would also be a good idea to have them flush the brake fluid with fresh fluid. The brake fluid will absorb moisture out of the air and retain it. Then if the brakes get hot, it will boil and put air in the system to cause your brakes to fail. good luck with the car.

(How much is this free car going to cost you???) lol

Answer 7

Sitting there. not been moved. chances are the rotors and brakes will need to be replaced they tend to freeze up . not move, rust , if a car is left out in the weather and not moved around a bit . I'd check all the hoses and make sure they're firm . Might want to check fluid in radiator, change the oil and filters, Check spark plugs ,

Answer 8

See if it needs new spark plugs, transmission, windshield wipers, of course get the tires checked, and brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and make sure all the light work, like the brake light and headlight, make sure no mirrors are vroken, and the windshiled isn't cracked very badly, if so get a new one or get it repaired somehow, and lastly I would say check to make sure the battery has enough power, hope I helped (: and also a fule filter and fresh gas like someone else said.

Answer 9

farm and fleet will do an oil change, yes. you pretty much have all of it covered, tires, battery, oilchange, brakes. Those are the main things to check out, also take a look at the trans fluid and make sure its full.

Answer 10

Probably would not hurt to pull the spark plugs and and spray a little oil in each cylinder to provide top cylinder lubrication while oil pressure builds, definately charge or replace the battery, check all the fluid levels and give her a spin