Tips on starting after 6 months???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Appleton, Wisconsin Boston originally - North End
Tips on starting after 6 months???
My '84 has been in storage (on a Battery Tender) for ~ a half a year.
Good shape all around - 50,000 miles.
Had all new plugs-wires-cap-rotor and oil/filter before covering her up.
Any suggestions when I turn the key next week if hard starting is encountered???
Starting fluid/spray down the throttle body???
THANKS.
Dave H.
Good shape all around - 50,000 miles.
Had all new plugs-wires-cap-rotor and oil/filter before covering her up.
Any suggestions when I turn the key next week if hard starting is encountered???
Starting fluid/spray down the throttle body???
THANKS.
Dave H.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove CA
Six months is nothing, I have had cars that sat for five years before starting them up again. It sounds like it has been well stored, so just twist the key and go. Of course you should fire it up, lift the hood and see that nothing has sprung a leak, look underneath the car with a flashlight. As long as no fluids are coming out take it for a short drive, and then check again underhood and under the car for any signs of trouble.
On cars that have sat for more than a year or two I like to disconnect the coil, crank it over briefly, wait several seconds, then crank it over again - I just want the oil pump to pressure up the system a little before I start the engine.
Thomas
On cars that have sat for more than a year or two I like to disconnect the coil, crank it over briefly, wait several seconds, then crank it over again - I just want the oil pump to pressure up the system a little before I start the engine.
Thomas
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
Nothing special to do - just turn the key to the *on* position and wait for your fuel system to pressurize itself (a few seconds at most), crank it over and it should start like it was parked there the day before.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
gambling man ?
by now 99% of the oil has drained off the cam...your 84 has flat tappets (not roller tappets, aka lifters), cam/lifters will be 'steel-on-steel'...aka 'dry start'... may damage the cam lobes/lifters, you'll know in an hour or two, if the engine starts running rough and even backfiring, you lose...best to yank the dizz and 'pre-lube' using a half-inch drill motor and an oil pump driver that properly seals inside the engine...'dry starts' can also damge rod/main bearings, with early failure resulting.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
I have to respectfully disagree with you, redrose. Any engine that I have ever torn down, regardless how long it has sat since running has a film of oil on everything inside. A good quality oil sitting on all moving parts will leave a sufficient film of oil for a vehicle to sit for 6 months, even a year - in my opinion. As long as you don't fleece the engine immediately after starting the chances of wearing a cam lobe or lifter during the short period of time that a full flow of oil in the system is being established - are next to none. But, for those who want to - by all means pull the distributor and pump some oil into the system - it's all a matter of personal choice.
Last edited by pletzvet; Mar 14, 2010 at 05:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Not to hyjack the thread but Ive got a '88 sitting in storage while Im here in Korea. I changed the oil right before I left her-would it be alright to fire her up once I get back-I just need to be able to drive her up a trailer to move across country.
By the way it'll be right at a year once I get back.
By the way it'll be right at a year once I get back.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
NEVER EVER USE STARTING FLUID IN A FUEL INJECTED VEHICLE!! Stick the key in and twist.........just how u last remember it before u parked it, if its not that simple then u have an issue to take care of, JUST STAY AWAY FROM STARTING FLUID!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Appleton, Wisconsin Boston originally - North End
Wow - thanks for all the tips guys.
Temp is going back down into the twenties on the weekend and freakin' snow is forecasted.
Looks like I gotta wait another week before I just "turn the key"
Wisconsin - gotta luv it.
Dave H.
Temp is going back down into the twenties on the weekend and freakin' snow is forecasted.
Looks like I gotta wait another week before I just "turn the key"
Wisconsin - gotta luv it.
Dave H.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If you turn the key and start it the motor will require the same revolutions than if you turned it over with the ign disconnected. Time wise it will build oil pressure quicker. In the end theres oil still on the engine parts I wouldnt worry about it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
by now 99% of the oil has drained off the cam...your 84 has flat tappets (not roller tappets, aka lifters), cam/lifters will be 'steel-on-steel'...aka 'dry start'... may damage the cam lobes/lifters, you'll know in an hour or two, if the engine starts running rough and even backfiring, you lose...best to yank the dizz and 'pre-lube' using a half-inch drill motor and an oil pump driver that properly seals inside the engine...'dry starts' can also damge rod/main bearings, with early failure resulting.
I have to respectfully disagree with you, redrose. Any engine that I have ever torn down, regardless how long it has sat since running has a film of oil on everything inside. A good quality oil sitting on all moving parts will leave a sufficient film of oil for a vehicle to sit for 6 months, even a year - in my opinion. As long as you don't fleece the engine immediately after starting the chances of wearing a cam lobe or lifter during the short period of time that a full flow of oil in the system is being established - are next to none. But, for those who want to - by all means pull the distributor and pump some oil into the system - it's all a matter of personal choice.
pletzvet, you are correct. redrose's method is a little on the extreme side. Nothing wrong with his method, I just don't feel it is going to be neccessary. That 84 should fire right up after only six months being idle.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,071
Likes: 77
From: Elgin, IL
Before you start it open the oil fill cap and look at the lifters. Let's all see if there is any oil residue on them. I bet there is.
DCHORAN you have become our guinea pig. Let us know what you see.
DCHORAN you have become our guinea pig. Let us know what you see.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Good lord, its an internal combustion engine........put the key in it and twist....It's only been 6 months.....if there were years instead of months, I might give this a second thought....but just parking their for 6 months.....
Maybe we can get Ken Madingly in the simulator to work out the start up procedure...Over Houston
Maybe we can get Ken Madingly in the simulator to work out the start up procedure...Over Houston
Last edited by jhammons01; Mar 21, 2010 at 11:23 AM.
