Yo,

Okay, just like the title says, car has been sitting for 8 months straight.

I'm going to bring new plugs, maybe a change of oil, ATF fluid, octane boost, a new battery.

So...how should I go about getting that engine back up and running?

Any step by step procedures would be greatly appreciated.

Did a search and found some advice, but no definitive answers.

Thanks!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Lets hope this works..."

 

I tried starting a friend's civic after sitting for 1 1/2 years, and it started right up. just needed a new battery. Obviously we will be changing the oil and possibly the plugs soon.
You might want to bring a can of gas in case the stuff is too crappy to burn.

 

8 months is getting close! If it were me, to be safe i would drain the gas tank compleetly, and atleast clean it out with some carb cleaner. then, while your already in the tank, check and possibly replace the fuel pump, its old anyway! Depending on what kind of climate its been sitting in, the fuel is going to be the biggest worrie! Changing the oil is a great idea, and with your first full tank of gas, i would run some injector cleaner through it. GOOD LUCK...

 

Don't need to drain tank, just pour in some octane booster/injector cleaner/water remover (cannot remember real name), just make sure they are from a company that makes it all combinable. I know STP does, says on back of bottle you can use it with any other STP products at same time as far as I can remember. Might wanna check the bottle before doing that though and make sure. That should clean out the fuel system real good, and add some new gas too. Good luck, hope it works out for you.

 

OK...Here's a real answer:

It would be best to drain the fuel. There is a drain plug on the bottom of the tank. While it is draining, do this:

-remove leading plugs
-put a few ounces of oil into each hole
-rotate engine a few turns by hand
-repeat
-reinstall plugs
-install battery
-fill up fuel tank, 2 bottles of injector cleaner
-disconnect fuel line at fuel filter
-connect a short section of fuel hose to disconnected fuel line and put other end in a bucket
-jump the yellow test connector at the passenger side
-set turn key to IGN for a few seconds. Fuel will squirt into bucket. Let it run for 10 seconds or so. BE CAREFUL
-disconnect your bucket, install new fuel filter
-change coolant, oil, brake fluid and clutch fluid
-jump test connector again, set key to IGN for 20 seconds
-remove test connector
-pull EGI fuse
-crank engine for several 10 second periods until oil pressure builds
-install EGI fuse
-start engine and allow it to fully warm up

Now, once you have the car, change all the belts, hoses, etc. Adding the oil to the engine is very important as it prevents dry startup damage to the internals.

 

Yo,

Yea, you'll definately want to change the oil. Dropping the tank and cleaning it out probably isnt necessary, but if you're bored and have a couple hours to waste go for it Id just drain the old gas out(should be a drainplug on bottom of tank) and refill with new. I wouldnt put alot of ATF fluid in unless it doesnt start on its own, but a *little* bit of oil into the spark plug hole, wouldnt be a bad idea to prevent a dry startup. You might want to replace the fuel filter and prime the fuel system (little yellow connector on pass side of engine compartment, you need to bridge the 2 sides).

Lenny
1986 GXL "I stole your style biatch"


*edit*- Didnt see Aaroncake's post when I started typing. Good explination

 

Yo,


Thanks for all the advice, I will bring the digital camera and take pics of our adventure tomorrow!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Keep your fingers crossed!"

 

Yo,


Thanks for everyone's help...unfortunately the starter is gone...it sounds like the teethed wheel is off of the flywheel. We couldn't start it...so if anyone wants a 1988 GTU black on light blue, 187K for $200 let me know.

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Yeah...200 bucks."

 

If you weren't in CA .......

 

1st, just try whacking the starter with a hammer. They will sometimes stick, and be free'd up from a simple whack. (better would be to take it out and dissassemble, clean, and reassemble, but at $200, it doesn;t sound like you care that much).

Next, push start the car!

 

Yo,


Nah, the starter would turn freely...it just wasn't turning anything. Either all the teeth were ground off on the flywheel, or the ring around the flywheel was screwed up.

It wasn't a simple thing we could take care of. We had brought all the supplies to start it...and probably would have bought it if it had run for a beater/drifter car. It has the 5 lug and all that...but body damage here and there...not to mention having to drop the tranny to fix the starter thing. Not worth doing...

My Scirocco starter's relay would stick...I'd whack it with a hammer all the time. *grin*

Thanks for the advice!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Now to JB weld it's header..."

 

if i haven't driven my car for a while say 2 weeks. i'll crank it without the egi fuse 10 sec. then start with full warm up. of coarse check for leaks under car......

 

wow, flywheel eh? You have the same problem i did after doing a couple cookies in a parking lot! The "ring gear" on the flywheel is heat pressed onto the flywheel, mine found its way off of the flywheel. I am assuming the same thing happend to you! Need a new flywhell buddy! Or sell the car to someone who is willing to push start it everytime they want to go somewhere! hee hee...
-Blake

 

Yo,


Wow, back from the dead!!

*chuckle*

NA Powah!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Every hour!"

 

All that grave robbing you've done has come back to haunt you Kevin.

Steve