1985 sitting for 10 years
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 28
Likes: 21
1985 sitting for 10 years
I have a 85 Vette that's been garage kept for about 10 years. Unfortunately it hasn't been started or driven that entire time since I was over seas. Any recommendations of what to do prior to trying to start it? The car is in mint condition and ran and drove perfectly back when it was initially parked in the garage years ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Drain the gas and change the oil, pull the plugs and squirt some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, pull the fuel pump relay and crank the engine over until you get oil pressure, then see if it starts. Tires, belts, hoses, etc should also be changed.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
when you have the key on but not running ck around the intake for gas leaks
x2 on brakes they may need to be bled..if not take it easy the first hr you run it in case a seal goes
Had let mine sit less than a yr at one point and the brakes (all new) were spongy. expecting the pedal to go to the floor this time (been 1.5 yrs this time).
Just do basic stuff fire it up bet if its been stored right youll be Ok with minimal storage "bugs"
x2 on brakes they may need to be bled..if not take it easy the first hr you run it in case a seal goes
Had let mine sit less than a yr at one point and the brakes (all new) were spongy. expecting the pedal to go to the floor this time (been 1.5 yrs this time).
Just do basic stuff fire it up bet if its been stored right youll be Ok with minimal storage "bugs"
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 288
Likes: 13
From: Engelhard NC
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 241
Likes: 77
From: Arlington VA
Can I just jump in here and say all of these are good suggestions.
One extra thing I do in general and especially in situations like this and when I do any work involving the fuel system is have a fire extinguisher nearby, start with the hood open and, if possible, someone to start the car while you stand by. Well worth the extra few minutes.
One extra thing I do in general and especially in situations like this and when I do any work involving the fuel system is have a fire extinguisher nearby, start with the hood open and, if possible, someone to start the car while you stand by. Well worth the extra few minutes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 148
From: Hunterdon Cty NJ
My 91 sat for at least 10 years maybe more like 15 and I found that steel parts of the fuel lines and the fuel fill neck in the tank were very rusty and that rust clogged the fuel sock before the pump and caused poor performance. The tank must have been half full or less and the air got to that part.