last started in 2022 june
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
After first checking that all water hoses and belts look good and are in place, I'd change the oil & filter. Then I'd disconnect the coil and crank it over a few times to distribute the oil. Then I'd start it while keeping an eye for any water leaks or other problems. There are lots of opinions on this. I'm sure some would say just fire it up.
Actually, you are taking the seller's word that it hasn't been started in a year.
Actually, you are taking the seller's word that it hasn't been started in a year.
Last edited by Jud Chapin; May 20, 2023 at 12:13 PM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 449
From: NJ
That time interval is not far off from typical winter storage time in the northeast where I live. Even with today’s ethanol fuel, you don’t have much to worry about. Some things I would do to a newly purchased car would help. You should change all fluids and filters anyway, especially the fuel filter. If you want to get really crazy, change the fuel filter and turn key to on with the fuel line disconnected at the engine. Let the fuel pump push any possibly contaminated fuel into a container before it hits the regulator/rails. A good coolant flush with the knock sensors pulled would be good. Clean the expansion tank and reservoir by hand if you like. Reassemble, fill, bleed, done. There are plenty of threads on coolant flushes and fuel filter changes. At under a year, gas should be fine.
