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Re:96 Ciera 3.1 Car sitting for a long time-first tune up?
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Ethan
Anonymous Poster
Eco41380@yahoo.com
Jan 20, 2008, 11:32 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1430 views)
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Re:96 Ciera 3.1 Car sitting for a long time-first tune up?
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Hey Guy's
I was just doing a search and it turns out i have the same situation, A friend of mine came across a 96 olds Ciera 4dr 3.1L w/ 60,000 mi owned by a little old lady that can't drive anymore, and only used to go to church, doc and store. but my friend has a suspended license so the car has been sitting outside in upstate NY. since last Jan, and who knows how long before that, My friend decided that since they can't drive it and her husband has several cars that i can take the veh at no charge. Apparently before it started sitting the granny replaced the tranny(hehe) along with a ton of other crap, my friend says there is a ticking noise from the engine when started, and thinks it just needs new gas, oil, and spark plugs. I am reluctant to take the car due to the fact i have to drive it 300 mi. to get it to my home. My friend tells me the car is in perfect condition, no rust, just needs a tune up, what do you guys think.
My main question is, being a car of this age and already getting a new transmission, and all other repairs made am i looking at a money pit? I know that oldsmobile had a faulty ground with that particular car which caused a problem with the transmissions, even though it has been replace will it happen again? When a car this old has such low miles doesn't that just mean it has been sitting a long time, according to my friend the car came enclosed w. a stack of receipts to show well maintenance of the car, but all and all isn't there such a thing as having too of low miles? Why does the engine tick? any solutions to clear that up? please don't tell me bad lifters.
And you guys seem like alright people, very friendly. I amazed how much time someone will take out to help someone they never met.
(edit) Changed subject line for your car........
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 21, 2008, 2:33 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2008, 2:31 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1423 views)
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Re:96 Ciera 3.1 Car sitting for a long time-first tune up?
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Hi Ethan,
I moved your post so it should appear new and not part of the original you posted on. No problem.
Ok: Sounds like a deal and worth the trip to get it. 300 miles to drive and a car that sat outside in upstate NY for a year or more so expect this right off the bat....
1. Brakes will be rusted and may shake like crazy. Hope it's rear drums. You probably should be prepared to take it around the block a few times to see if it's safe for the ride home. Are you prepared to fix brakes on location if needed? If you feel like they'll make the trip go for it. It's about certain you will need new linings and rotors/turn or replace drums if drums later. DON'T EVEN TRY PARKING BRAKE TILL YOU GET HOME IF AT ALL POSSIBLE! Cable could be rusty and you don't want it stuck there - do it when you get home.
2. Ticking is probably just from sitting too long. Change oil right away at location. Use approved 5-30 cheap but rated for the car. Do yourself a favor and fill the new oil filter as best you can with oil before installing. That's a good idea anyway as the wait time for oil pressure is much faster to build up. Bet you money the ticking quits fairly quickly. Change again after about 500 miles with synthetic oil if you wish - I like the stuff.
3. Put a bottle of Techron fuel injector treatment AND a bottle of isopropyl formula (read labels- Heet - others brands use it) and fill with fresh gas.
4. Bring a gallon of anti-freeze and a gallon of water to mix it with just for the trip and use later if not needed for an emergency. It's cold in all of the Northest now and for a while expected. Washers will probably not work as the alcohol evaporates in the spray tips. Warm up engine and they should start working and get strong washer fluid in there as over time it does lose its freeze resistance. If you find it frozen in reservoir and can't really warm the whole car up in a garage just let the engine warm up and shut it down - engine heat will thaw it and then add cheapo methyl alcohol dry gas to windshield washer as that's the alcohol in the blue common stuff. Sounds stupid but lack of washers can be a real problem - if need be bring a spray bottle and reach out the window (sounds like I've done this before doesn't it?)
5. Wait for the tune-up till you get home too. This engine needs to be tilted forward to get to back plugs which could be too hard on location.
6. Battery/charging system. If it starts and charges go for it. If not try charging at location and check that alternator put out. Battery is almost certainly junk but may wait till home also. Prepare to replace it there though if trouble.
7. Check all fluids of course. Look at belt or anything out of control noticed. Tire pressure must be up and check the spare too!
8. Bring some tools. Socket set, screwdrivers, wire cutters, wire (coat hangar), vice grips and go for it.
**** Cool trick: If you have cooling system leak underway - cut the sprung end rubber gasket of radiator cap with wire cutters in a "V" so system can't build up pressure. Fill and go if slow enough with now zero pressure cap. Water pump might not have liked sitting so long. Easy one to do on that car.
Did I miss anything? Hit back - we are here,
T
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