I'm a first-time Vette owner. I have a MY08 and have had it in storage since October 2008. She is a C6 without a dry-sump system. I plan on pulling her out of storage, reconnecting the battery, reindexing my windows, and getting her on the road by March 15th if the Weather God permits.

My goal: Start the engine up and make sure she's ready to go.

My concern: Having the engine sit for 5+ months and allowing all the engine oil to find it's way out of lifters and everything else on the top-half of the engine back into the oil pan and starting her up "dry".

My plan: Pull the fuses for the fuel injectors (so as not to allow the car to start "dry" and also avoid washing the cyclinders down with fuel (which would happen if you pulled the fuse for the ignition instead) and crank her over a few times for 3-8 seconds to allow oil pressure to build and replenish the top half of the engine. After doing this for 3-5 times, then reinstalling the fuel injector fuse and giving her a start.

Any of you have suggestions as to whether this is a good idea? Any other "prep" ideas I should consider before I officically give her fuel and spark for the first time after 5+ months of storage?

Your help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

To each his own, but I don't believe that all of that is necessary. I've had various muscle cars for years, and stored them for the winter - then started them w/o any problems. -- My 2 cents. -- Good luck. -- --

 

I have never heard of anyone on the forums go thru such a process after winter storage. I wouldnt know about that first hand being in Miami but I wouldnt think all that is needed.

 

I've read elsewhere on this forum of the engine making a lot of clatter when first started after sitting for months. In fact, many posts said that this was "normal". I don't like the thought of hearing lifter chatter from an engine that only has 1500 miles on it, so I thought I'd ask. Wish I lived down south, no need for this up-north horse-doodoo.

 

• Open Door
  
• Sit In Seat
  
• Press The Start Button
  
• Do Not Race The Engine Immediately After Starting It
  
• DONE

 

-- As I said "to each his own". - Knock yourself out. -- --

 

I'd say it's overkill, but you can do it if you wish. Yes these motors can get a little bit of clatter if the lifters have bled down some after a long period w/o use, but it's not a big deal.

I'd just check the fluids and fire it up.

 

If you really want to get trick, you can pull the spark plugs and crank for oil pressure. It's easier on the rod bearings if there is no compression. The other thing, after you fire it up, idle for 1 minute and shut it off for a couple minutes and fire it back up. This will help fill and keep oil into the lifters.

Randy

 

I have had many cars vettes , hemi cars, six packs and so forth just start the car and let fluids get to temp and drive for a while just break everything back in and just when you think your done go hammer that ****!

 

The concensus from this forum is pretty much in alignment with what I've been told verbally as well. Just give her a start, warm her up, let the fluids flow, and then take her on the road. Let her wake up slowly, then when warm, start the trouncing.

Thanks for the confirmation. It is always good to get a concensus from people in the know. I greatly appreciate the help!

 

Sometimes I get some valve train clatter afer setting for only 9 hours. On the other hand, sometimes it has set for 4 weeks with no valve train clatter on start up. Go figure.

 

There is a trick for building some oil pressure before starting the engine. This will eliminate almost all the clatter at startup, after sitting for more than a few days. Best of all it is super easy

There is a "clear flood mode" in the pcm that will disable the fuel injectors and let the engine crank without starting. To enable this feature the accelerator (throttle position) must be 80% or higher when the start button is pushed.

So here's how you do it:

1 Before pressing the start button, floor the gas padal
2 Press Start, the engine will crank but won't even try to start
3 After it cranks about 5 seconds take foot off gas pedal, the engine will start like normal, without all the clatter

 

Really? That's very cool.

 

My Vette is in storage from Dec. thru mid April without starting. I leave the battery connected with a float charger. When I start it for the first time, no clatter as you call it. In fact, it doesn't sound any different from normal starts when in normal use.

This will be my 3rd winter with the Vette in storage but my wifes BMW convertible has gone thru the same process for 12 years, no problems. I think your overthinking the issue, I don't believe there is any less oil up top at 3 months than there is when its not used for a couple of weeks which my Vette sits sometimes during the rest of the season. I do use the float charger if it sits more than a week.

 

Now that is WAY-COOL!!! Thanks!!!

 

Ditto assuming you has a maintainer on the battery all winter...

 

The oil will not bleed down and as long as you put gasoilne stabilizer in the gas tank you will be fine

 

Thanks. The battery has been removed from the car and put on a smart-charger (automatic charge, pulse, maintain) for the entire winter.

 

I recomend closing the door after step 2

what a sweet sound it was after sleeping 5 months in the garage

 

Was the wife mad at you? Must have been tough sleeping in the cold garage.