Been sitting for 10 years
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 16
From: NE Ohio
Been sitting for 10 years: PICS ADDED
My Father in Law passed away last year. His lower mileage (~50k) 1996 LT4 6 sp coupe (red/black) has been sitting in the garage for most of that time. The gas is likely around 10 years old and it might have been started a few times several years back. Currently the battery is dead.
My MIL wants to sell the car and wants to get it detailed first. I warned her that the gas is probably stale and might cause serious damage if the car was started. Can you offer some advice about how I should advise her? I'd love to buy it for myself, but I don't have the room or the money. It's a beautiful unmolested car and I'd like to see her get a decent buck without investing too much to sell it.
My MIL wants to sell the car and wants to get it detailed first. I warned her that the gas is probably stale and might cause serious damage if the car was started. Can you offer some advice about how I should advise her? I'd love to buy it for myself, but I don't have the room or the money. It's a beautiful unmolested car and I'd like to see her get a decent buck without investing too much to sell it.
Last edited by meh92; Jul 11, 2020 at 11:15 PM. Reason: Pics added
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 68
From: Providence RI
I’d say pay someone To detail the car and a mechanic to drain / flush / fill all fluids and go through the mech aspects of the car. Keeps the receipts and use it to obtain a higher sale price.
it all depends on how much you’re capable of doing and how much you want to pay someone to detail and work on the mechanical aspects.
it all depends on how much you’re capable of doing and how much you want to pay someone to detail and work on the mechanical aspects.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree with Deepa on having a mechanic service the car to get it running in top shape. Also do not try to start it with ten year old gasoline. You could wind up creating more costly problems than a flatbed tow to a mechanic would cost. Maybe the mechanic/Chevy dealership would include the tow as part of a “package” deal.
Then once it is running well drive it to the detailer and have It looking perfect for the sale.
An LT4 should bring good money. Maybe show her the for sale part of the forum with a few of the LT 4 cars that have been listed here so she has a realistic idea of what they are selling for and a comparison of their condition.
Then once it is running well drive it to the detailer and have It looking perfect for the sale.
An LT4 should bring good money. Maybe show her the for sale part of the forum with a few of the LT 4 cars that have been listed here so she has a realistic idea of what they are selling for and a comparison of their condition.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 147
Likes: 48
From: Rockland County, New York
I was in the same situation last year. 1985 with 12k miles, sat in the garage unstarted for 13 years with almost a half tank of gas. I was planning on draining the tank, fogging the cylinders, and tuning it up before I started it. The old school mechanic at my job said "It's a chevy 350, it will eat anything." He told me to change the fuel filter, throw 2 bottles of seafoam in the tank, and let it idle until it is out of gas. After that, fill it with 5 gallons of fresh gas, another 2 bottles of seafoam, and let that run through. After that was done I did a full tune up and fluid change. Car runs perfectly. This year I will tackle the A/C.
I know this is not the "right" way to do it but it worked.
I know this is not the "right" way to do it but it worked.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Start with the basics and make sure the engine turns over before doing anything else.
Pull the fuse for the fuel pump and if the motor is free, spin it with the starter to cycle some oil before you ask it to run 1K RPMS. If it was really an old SBC, I would say pull the distributor and spin up the oil pump, but I don't think you can do that on a LT4.
All of your fluids need to be changed, filters too
You will probably need to replace to 02 Sensors.
TBH, you are probably not going to get a lot more out of it cleaned up that you are as it sits. You will probably be money in the hole getting it ready for the next person. Where the C4 sits in the market and the price range between good and excellent just doesn't leave a lot of room for investment/restoration. The C4 is for enjoyment.
Pull the fuse for the fuel pump and if the motor is free, spin it with the starter to cycle some oil before you ask it to run 1K RPMS. If it was really an old SBC, I would say pull the distributor and spin up the oil pump, but I don't think you can do that on a LT4.
All of your fluids need to be changed, filters too
You will probably need to replace to 02 Sensors.
TBH, you are probably not going to get a lot more out of it cleaned up that you are as it sits. You will probably be money in the hole getting it ready for the next person. Where the C4 sits in the market and the price range between good and excellent just doesn't leave a lot of room for investment/restoration. The C4 is for enjoyment.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 2,737
My Father in Law passed away last year. His lower mileage (~50k) 1996 LT4 6 sp coupe (red/black) has been sitting in the garage for most of that time. The gas is likely around 10 years old and it might have been started a few times several years back. Currently the battery is dead.
My MIL wants to sell the car and wants to get it detailed first. I warned her that the gas is probably stale and might cause serious damage if the car was started. Can you offer some advice about how I should advise her? I'd love to buy it for myself, but I don't have the room or the money. It's a beautiful unmolested car and I'd like to see her get a decent buck without investing too much to sell it.
My MIL wants to sell the car and wants to get it detailed first. I warned her that the gas is probably stale and might cause serious damage if the car was started. Can you offer some advice about how I should advise her? I'd love to buy it for myself, but I don't have the room or the money. It's a beautiful unmolested car and I'd like to see her get a decent buck without investing too much to sell it.
where is the car located?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
There are 2 ways to go wash the dust off and sell as a barnfind car has been parked yada yada yada. Estate haven't tried to start $xxxxc see who bites. The other commits you to get running and passing Pa inspections.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 16
From: NE Ohio
Everyone, thanks for the info. I was at the garage today and made a HUGE mistake! I sat in the car... only for a few minutes. Now I want it!!! Mom said she'd hook me up with a sweet deal just to keep it in the family. I severely underestimated it's allure. I was with my FIL the day he bought it and sitting behind the wheel brought back such great memories. Problem is that a sweet BMW E89 Z4 3.0si roadster is taking up my garage space right now. Decisions, decisions...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 16
From: NE Ohio
Sorry, no pics. It's a Torch Red beauty covered in 10 years of garage dust. Underneath that is a 50K mile, unmolested LT4 ZF 6sp beauty with black leather upholstery. I just decoded the option decal and it has all sorts of goodies including a 3.45" differential and high-performance brakes. Even has a brand new bronze mirrored roof panel still in the bubble wrap my FIL bought after the original delaminated. He never got around to unwrapping it.
I am reading that the tank has a bladder so fuel doesn't touch metal. If that is the case, do you think that draining it would be sufficient to address really old gas? Again, it's probably the better part of 10 years old.
Damn it! I was not expecting to have such a connection after all of these years.
I am reading that the tank has a bladder so fuel doesn't touch metal. If that is the case, do you think that draining it would be sufficient to address really old gas? Again, it's probably the better part of 10 years old.
Damn it! I was not expecting to have such a connection after all of these years.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 164
From: Vancouver Washington
Just my $.02 but having owned a Z3 3.0 and a 96 6 speed vette. I would sell the BMW and get the Vette. Both cars handle awesome but there is nothing like v8 acceleration. Chevy parts are not as dear as BMW parts. Besides, in most states 25 or 30 year old cars get collector plates for life.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Just my $.02 but having owned a Z3 3.0 and a 96 6 speed vette. I would sell the BMW and get the Vette. Both cars handle awesome but there is nothing like v8 acceleration. Chevy parts are not as dear as BMW parts. Besides, in most states 25 or 30 year old cars get collector plates for life.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Siphon the old fuel out of the tank, put 5 gallons of fresh gas in it, then disconnect the fuel line at the rail and flush it. Replace the fuel filter, fire it up and see what happens.
Go from there. Check all the hoses and rubber parts for cracking/leaks.
Go from there. Check all the hoses and rubber parts for cracking/leaks.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,380
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Everyone, thanks for the info. I was at the garage today and made a HUGE mistake! I sat in the car... only for a few minutes. Now I want it!!! Mom said she'd hook me up with a sweet deal just to keep it in the family. I severely underestimated it's allure. I was with my FIL the day he bought it and sitting behind the wheel brought back such great memories. Problem is that a sweet BMW E89 Z4 3.0si roadster is taking up my garage space right now. Decisions, decisions...
I say, keep it in the family!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Maybe I was making it seem a bit TOO easy. When I said siphon al the fuel out, I really should have said:
Pull the fuel pump, check the sending unit for rust, verify the fuel pump works, reach in and clean out the tank with some old rags......
THEN add gas, flush, replace fuel filter, and give it a try.
Pull the fuel pump, check the sending unit for rust, verify the fuel pump works, reach in and clean out the tank with some old rags......
THEN add gas, flush, replace fuel filter, and give it a try.