Bringing a C4 Back to Life
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Webster New York
Bringing a C4 Back to Life
I usually spend my time in the C6 section but promised to help my father with a project. He has a C4, I think 1990, that has been neglected and stored in a barn (without any care) since about 2000 or 2001. At the time it was stored, it had either a bad alternator or starter to his recollection. In any event, I am trying to put together a checklist of action items to bring this car back to life. Here's what i have so far:
1. Check all fluids
2. Replace plugs (any recommendations are appreciated)
3. Replace air filter
4. Replace battery
5. Drain gas and replace
Once we get it started, I can bring it to my garage for a full once over. I am sure it will need new tires, change of oil, and the alternator or starter fixed. Any other thoughts/additions to the list are much appreciated.
Thanks
1. Check all fluids
2. Replace plugs (any recommendations are appreciated)
3. Replace air filter
4. Replace battery
5. Drain gas and replace
Once we get it started, I can bring it to my garage for a full once over. I am sure it will need new tires, change of oil, and the alternator or starter fixed. Any other thoughts/additions to the list are much appreciated.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: In a van down by the river! Florida
Shouldn't need to replace plugs if it's just been sitting, air filter can just be banged out if its been sitting in a VERY dusty area, otherwise it should be aight to get her awake again.
I'd replace the battery, and make very very sure to drain the fuel, if you have the ability to get underneath it where it sits, do the fuel filter, and for safety sake I'd clean/replace the sock on the fuel pump.
~Rich
I'd replace the battery, and make very very sure to drain the fuel, if you have the ability to get underneath it where it sits, do the fuel filter, and for safety sake I'd clean/replace the sock on the fuel pump.
~Rich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Change check fluids to flush all fluids for a start.
Add cap rotor wires coil ign module fuel filter oil filter etc. as they are all failure prone and will make you crazy one by one and end up with a thread that is 200 messages long for things that are all going to fail one by one. Pulling the fuel pump and sock change that and peek into the tank and see how rusty it is no doubt the bottom is a mess after this many years of sitting too. With bad gas the injectors come to mind as well these are all no doubt deffered maintainence things over the years and if you do some searches on bringing a car back they have been discussed in great detail. Once you are in there it minimizes the pain and labor to just get it done. I am assuming you are getting the car for little or nothing and want to go from tinkering endlessly to driving with the least amount of fooling around. If it were me I would budget 1500 to 2000 to go from sitting for 10 years to driving every day with me doing the work. There is just no sense fooling yourself with mileage figures etc on parts that are timed out.
Dave
Add cap rotor wires coil ign module fuel filter oil filter etc. as they are all failure prone and will make you crazy one by one and end up with a thread that is 200 messages long for things that are all going to fail one by one. Pulling the fuel pump and sock change that and peek into the tank and see how rusty it is no doubt the bottom is a mess after this many years of sitting too. With bad gas the injectors come to mind as well these are all no doubt deffered maintainence things over the years and if you do some searches on bringing a car back they have been discussed in great detail. Once you are in there it minimizes the pain and labor to just get it done. I am assuming you are getting the car for little or nothing and want to go from tinkering endlessly to driving with the least amount of fooling around. If it were me I would budget 1500 to 2000 to go from sitting for 10 years to driving every day with me doing the work. There is just no sense fooling yourself with mileage figures etc on parts that are timed out.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
I would pull the plugs shoot the cylinders with wd40 or something like that. let them soak a day. Durning this time you can drain your fuel check all your levels ect. Disconnect the dist. pull the fuel pump fuse and crank it over with the plugs out. I would replace the plugs while they are out. Check the air filter, hook everything back up and see if she runs. Take it to where you need to and go over it good.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
The injectors will probably fail soon. The Multec injector actually flows fuel over the coil to cool it. They may not be ethanol resistant. Mine failed recently... Definately flush the brake fluid as it absorbs moisture over time.
