Car sitting 2 years, how to get road ready?
 

Due to health & surgery issues -my 1980 Rx7 has sat in garage for two years. I'd like to get it on the road a few times now before winter. My brother claims I need to have it towed to mechanic for a fuel system flush, that by just charging the battery, starting it, and attempting to drive will clog up the fuel filter & carb.

I had been driving it, no winters, prior to letting it sit. In 2010, I had hoses & brakes replaced, new tires, new battery, routine oil changes, routine checks - -all other parts are original. Small oil leak at pan leaves a small oil stain on garage floor.

Not being a car gal - I guess I failed at by not storing it properly - I just drove it into the garage & parked it in autumn 2010. [Apologies to all car guys!]

Please advise, thanks a bunch!

My '80 sat for 7 years before I rescued it. You won't have near as many issues as I did. The fuel filter is easy enough to replace and a good place to start. The inside condition of the tank should not be too bad after only two years. Fill it up and see, oh and one thing I had happen to me was the fuel inlet on the carb got stuck open and flooded the engine bad. keep an eye on that when you start turning the key on the prime the system.

i usually charge/replace the battery and just start the thing. after its running changing all the fluids, and the fuel filter is a great idea

i would drain the gas tank and put about 5 gallons of fresh gas in it before anything else.

No drains on SA gas tanks. You could disconnect the line up by the carb and pump the fuel into a container if you really were worried about the fuel. Of course, just replacing the fuel does not address what gunk may already be present in the system.

Over time, fuel gels up, seperates and breaks down and can clog the fuel system by leaving varnish and desposits in the small passages inside the carburator. With enough accumulation, it can muck things up and cause problems. Lot of things can factor into how good or bad the situation may be. Two years is not a tremendously long time and I'd say that chances are, it isn't too bad. I think your brother is over reacting a little.

I'd maybe mix in some fresh fuel and some sea foam and give it a whirl. Replacing the fuel filter is cheap insurance to guard against sending possibile contaminates from the tank to the carb. You may want to just buy 2 and change it again, after driving a tank or two. That way, you should be past the majority of loose crud in the tank now. I don't daily drive any of my Rx's and regularly add a few ounces of sea foam to every tank of gas. Helps to keep things clean and in good condition. Also, I don't run ethanol fuel to reduce the amount of water in my gas.

I would probably do a brake check and take a look at air pressure in the tires too!

you may want to change the oil, fuel filter,air filter, inspect the tires for cracking and tread depth, flush the coolant, check the trans fluid level, check the serpentine belt for cracks or glazing, pull the wheels and inspect the front brakes and make sure the sliders are lubed and ensure that the pads aren't hanging up in the caliper brackets. pull the rear drums and inspect the shoe linings and inspect the wheel cylinders for leaks. inspect the oil cooler and lines, and the filter pedestal o-rings for seepage or leaks. check the carb and make sure both the primaries and secondaries have an even spray pattern. you may also want to pull a couple plugs and see how worn they are. if worn, replace them and the wires if they show age. check the vacuum hoses for cracking or deterioration and inspect the air filter element for breakage and dry rot in addition to clogging. check for any fuel leaks under the car or at the carb and base plate. check for oil leaks or trans leaks. ensure your cooling fan clutch is operating properly. heck, if you decide to flush the coolant, why not change the thermostat and gasket? and finally, take the car on a few short trips and monitor it closely. note any change in running condition or driveability over the few short trips.