Starting after long storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Santa Rosa CA
Starting after long storage
On a vehicle that has just set, inside, moderate temps, for the last 4-5 years, what steps would you take before you tried to start it? No reason to believe anything was wrong with the vehicle at the time it was stored nor any reason to believe any special steps were taken prior to storage. There is nothing obvious to visual inspection. I am an amateur mechanic. 
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Santa Rosa CA
Originally Posted by kalister1
Pull the distibutor and spin up the oil pump to build pressure before starting. Maybe empty gas tank and fill with fresh gas too.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
No, you must pull the distributor to get to the oil pump.
It will squeal like a pig and damage the motor for 5 seconds if you start it without priming the oil system.
The ignition stuff is probably fine, that's one thing that doesn't age much by sitting, unless it was in a moist environment or outside.
It will squeal like a pig and damage the motor for 5 seconds if you start it without priming the oil system.
The ignition stuff is probably fine, that's one thing that doesn't age much by sitting, unless it was in a moist environment or outside.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Santa Rosa CA
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
No, you must pull the distributor to get to the oil pump.
It will squeal like a pig and damage the motor for 5 seconds if you start it without priming the oil system.
The ignition stuff is probably fine, that's one thing that doesn't age much by sitting, unless it was in a moist environment or outside.
It will squeal like a pig and damage the motor for 5 seconds if you start it without priming the oil system.
The ignition stuff is probably fine, that's one thing that doesn't age much by sitting, unless it was in a moist environment or outside.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
I would just pull the fuse for the fuel pump and crank the engine over with teh starter for a couple of 5 second bursts. This is what I did with mine a couple weeks ago. Pulled the fuse for the fuel pump so the motor won't start. After the first 5 second crank, I had 10Lbs of oil pressure. After the second 5 second crank I had close to 20 Lbs of oil pressure. Replaced the fuel pump and fired her up no problem.
I would be more concerned with the sate of your fuel system in your vehicle than anything else. Gelling of the fuel in any part of the system will turn into a major headache.
I would be more concerned with the sate of your fuel system in your vehicle than anything else. Gelling of the fuel in any part of the system will turn into a major headache.
