2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Starting a car for the first time in 3 years

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2006 | 05:12 PM
  #1  
rick_tj's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Starting a car for the first time in 3 years

S4 T2. I may be able to get it for 2500. Hasn't been started in 3 years. What do I need to do to start the motor? Obviously fresh gas in the tank, but what else? Directly put some oil in the lower spark plug holes and prey?
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2006 | 05:36 PM
  #2  
bschnard's Avatar
Bare Metal Racing
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I just went through that with one that hadn't started in 6 years. Drain and replace all fluids. Replace oil and fuel filter. Like you said clean gas in the tank after draining the old gas. Then I shot the oil in the spark plug holes and cranked it a few times with the fuel pump cut off to spread the oile around real well. You will also get a bit of an indication of what kind of compression you have. Three good stong whooses from each rotor will be music to your ears. Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2006 | 10:37 PM
  #3  
91verty's Avatar
spunout
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 1
From: Austin
the best thing to do in my experience would be to first, go to store and get fuel stabelizer,2, gor marvels mystery oil and dump 1 oz per each plug hole [lower], you really have to be carefull on how much you dump. Take intake off and spray a bit of starting fluid in the chambers. But for gods sake drain oil immedietely after starting. Use only synthetic oils after all this. I started a 12a like this not long ago that sat for 6 yrs. It smoked like a bitch but ran flawlessly. For a extra pointer you might wanna use distilled water in the rad. Theres bound to be some corrosion in the water chambers. Hope you can get the car and hope you can get it running. Good luck
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 07:07 AM
  #4  
SureShot's Avatar
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
As soon as you can, give the cooling system a good detergent flush.
Old coolant can break down & form a gel that blocks flow & insulates heat transfer.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:18 AM
  #5  
Syonyk's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Ames, IA
Search for some of Aaron Cake's posts on this topic. He's done some very good writeups on what you need to change before attempting to start a car that's been sitting.

-=Russ=-
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:51 AM
  #6  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
I second that. If you search around under my name you should find several very detailed posts on how to store and unstore a car. We've covered this many times and I keep posting it because no one seems to know how to do it right. There are MANY steps before you even begin to think about starting the car...
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 10:27 AM
  #7  
t-too's Avatar
Fast when it works
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Missoula MT usa
find out why it hasnt been running for so long... i'm still working on my t2 that sat for 5 years... first, i found rust in the gas tank, then i found 0psi compression in the rear rotor. but hey, i got it for $600 so i got what i paid for.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 10:44 AM
  #8  
Graze's Avatar
Classhole
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 37
From: Colorado Springs
Whatever you do don't pay $2500 for it!

Unless the exterior is freaking prefect.

Assume you'll haveta change out the tires at least, if not more.

Offer them $500 and pay no more then $800

If it's sat that long there is a reason. Don't get ripped off.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2006 | 11:01 AM
  #9  
adrock3217's Avatar
Boost in..Apex seals out.
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, 21794
$2500 = GOOD to GREAT condition..RUNNING..
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2006 | 11:23 PM
  #10  
Nick_d_TII's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 6
From: Beaverton, OR
I might pay 2500 for a car that sat for 3 years. I don't know where you're from but $2500 doesn't equal Great running cond. in portland, OR. I paid 1900 for a good running 87 rx7 TII that ran for 3 mo's after I bought it(o-rings went). But after 3 years of sitting, I would change all engine fluids, and If they look bad(oil with water or vice versa) then there's a rebuild or new motor in your future if you buy. Also drain tank and change spark plugs and wires. But there could be some corrosion in there so the motor might not be rebuildable in the end if its bad on the inside. Good luck and with all hope that its in decent shape. 2500 isn't too much if the chassi/inteior is nice...
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2006 | 11:33 PM
  #11  
lupin's Avatar
Rupanrx
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: MASSHOLE
I was gonna purchase a fc from a guy as parts car last year. I brought a batt over and made sure electricals turned on and did some quick checks. Everything seemed fine, so I went to the bank to get the rest of my cash(mistake). The car had been sitting since 1995(I saw the inspection sticker). The owner thought he'd try to start "her" up. As a side note I was gonna have the car towed by flatbed to my house. He told me that he cranked it over three times it didn't start. On the fourth try he started it right up and he said it gased out his street. He actually moved the car a few inches.

After I got the car home I changed all the fluids and took her for a quick drive. The water pump went in about 5 mins.

But the whole thing is that my fc started up, the choice is yours if you want to give it a try or wait and double check everything.

I would say wait but I'm not you.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
Jul 1, 2023 04:40 PM
Kyo
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
6
Apr 13, 2019 09:24 AM
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
Nov 17, 2015 05:57 PM
smikels
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
Aug 18, 2015 01:26 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 PM.