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Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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evansste
Novice
May 25, 2013, 2:35 PM
Post #1 of 17
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Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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I have a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera that's been sitting for over three years. I've already read that before starting it, I should change all fluids -- including the transmission fluid. However, I've also read that in order to change transmission fluid properly, you're supposed to get the transmission to the right temperature by driving the car for a while. So what should I do? Do I change everything else, except the transmission fluid, start it up, drive for a while, and then change the transmission fluid? Or should I change the transmission fluid before driving it (because it's been sitting for so long), and therefore, not bother to get it to a warmer temperature before changing the filter and the transmission fluid?
In other words, would driving the car with old transmission fluid be a bad idea, even though I'm doing it to warm up the fluid so that I can change it?
Thanks for any, and all, help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 25, 2013, 4:03 PM
Post #2 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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I wouldn't even worry about the trans fluid right now. It's not a big deal for now. The fuel and engine oil are the important things. The coolant should probably be flushed but that can be done later. Fuel, Fuel, Fuel!!!
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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evansste
Novice
May 25, 2013, 5:36 PM
Post #3 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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I greatly appreciate your response, since this is the biggest question that I've had on this issue.
The gas tank does have lots of fuel (about 3/4, or half a tank, if I remember correctly). My plan is to siphon all of it out and put in new fuel mixed with Marvel Mystery oil. An article that I read online suggests mixing 0.4 ounces per gallon. They also suggest putting 4 tablespoons of the Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder.
When I parked it, had I known then what I know now, I certainly would have stored it differently. I laid up an electric generator for more years than the car, but I knew that it was going to be sitting for a long time. I put fuel saver, which I guess is like the marvel mystery oil, in the cylinder, before storing it. And of course, I had already run out all of the gas. I decided to sell the generator about a year ago, and it started right up -- as if it had never been stored.
I didn't expect to park the car for so long, otherwise, I would have been a lot wiser about it.
Thanks again for your help. It seems as if this forum is a great place to turn to for automotive advice.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 25, 2013, 6:06 PM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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Yes, fuel stabilizer would have saved you a real lot of work. I really don't know if your siphoning idea is going to work though. That doesn't work on most new vehicles. You may have to drop the fuel tank to get the fuel out. The fuel is your one big problem. It hasn't been sitting long enough for any other big issues but it has been long enough for the fuel to varnish up and go stale. You don't even need to be too concerned about the cylinders.
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evansste
Novice
May 26, 2013, 10:12 AM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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What if it had been sitting for longer than three years? After my post, I remembered that it was about three years since I canceled my car insurance. However, the car was sitting before then. It's probably been more like five years, maybe even six. Would changing the gas, oil and coolant still be good enough for this length of time?
Also, thanks for letting me know about removing the gas tank. I'll siphon first, to get most of it out, and then remove the tank in order to get the rest.
Thanks again for your help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 26, 2013, 10:43 AM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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How do you simply forget 3 years?
We answer questions based on the info you supply. Maybe someone else has time to start all over here, I don't.
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evansste
Novice
May 26, 2013, 12:52 PM
Post #7 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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I wasn't trying to be difficult or sneaky about the time discrepancy. I parked that car and put it in storage a long time ago. I'm typing this correspondence via a community computer in a computer lab that's far from where I live, so I was trying to think of the most accurate record I could use to give a time frame. My wallet still has the expired registration in it, so I figured that would be better than a blatant guess in terms of when I parked the car. So I typed my post with that date in mind, which is where I got the three years.
Then you responded to my post and mentioned that if its been three years, then your suggestion would be sufficient. I then thought to myself, "well what if it was longer than three years? Would the remedy be different?" It was then that I started to think more precisely about when I parked the car, and it dawned on me that I had parked it before the insurance expired. So that's what made me think about how it's been longer than three years.
I understand your frustration, and am still thankful for your help. As my uncle once said, "All knowledge is good knowledge.", so any advice from someone who has experience, is always helpful (even if it is for a three year dormant stage instead of five or six).
So once again, thanks for your help.
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evansste
Novice
May 31, 2013, 8:33 AM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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I now have another question. As I've mentioned before, I read online that I should put 4 tablespoons of Marvel Mystery Oil in each of the car cylinders.
How important is it that I put Marvel Mystery Oil in each of these cylinders. If I skip this step, will I run into real trouble? I only ask because I'm having a really difficult time removing the spark plugs without potentially getting dirt in the cylinders. I haven't removed any of the spark plugs yet, but the plugs are difficult to get to and there's lots of dirt and grime around them. I can't really clean around the plugs because of their location. If I removed the engine, I could obviously get to the plugs a lot easier and clean around them before removing them. Because removing the engine seems a bit extreme, I was wondering how critical it is that I put the marvel oil in the cylinders.
Instead of removing the engine, I suppose I could rent a high-pressure air compressor and spray compressed air around the spark plugs. I don't know whether this would work or not. So once again, is the marvel mystery oil really necessary? If it is, I'd rather pressure spray the engine, or even remove it, rather than ruin it. If not, I'd just skip this step.
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
May 31, 2013, 7:49 PM
Post #9 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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It's not going to cause any kind of catastrophic damage not adding the mystery oil although it wouldn't hurt. You'd probably be okay just changing the oil and starting it. Oil is going to get pumped around right when you start it anyways.
It probably wouldn't hurt to change the plugs anyways. I bet if you asked a local shop they'd let you use a blow gun to blow out the debris around the plugs. It would only take a couple minutes. Another good place to ask would be a local community college. You could even buy a cheap pancake air compressor for less than $100. If not, I'm sure a neighbor might have one and would let you borrow it.
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evansste
Novice
May 31, 2013, 9:39 PM
Post #10 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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Thanks so much for your response. Getting a second opinion from a professional sure is helpful.
The other day, I tried spraying the engine with my air compressor through an air gun handle that I bought. Not much happened because my air compressor is pretty small and doesn't provide much flow. I'd need to use a more capable compressor. It's good to know that this "marvel mystery oil in the cylinders" step isn't critical.
Your input is extremely helpful, and I greatly appreciate it.
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Jun 1, 2013, 1:25 AM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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Just so you know, I'm no professional, just a diy guy. Like HT said, the fuel is the biggest concern. Fuel goes bad fast so that's a concern.
It probably wouldn't hurt pulling the plugs and squirting some oil in there. Mystery oil or regular. Personally, I would, but I don't see it causing any kind of catastrophic damage if you don't. What you'd be doing is getting some oil on top of the pistons and inside the cylinders to provide some lube since most ran down into the pan. In a sense you're pre lubing the pistons.
You can count on the info HT gave you earlier. He is a master mechanic with over 40 years experience, plus a shop owner, so anything he says is 100% accurate.
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evansste
Novice
Jun 1, 2013, 10:14 PM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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You may not be a professional, but I'm sure that you have a lot more experience working with cars than I do. This is the first time I've ever decided to work on my car myself. All I've known up till now is how to change oil and tires.
I think I may power wash the engine after all. I think my uncle has a good air compressor that I can use. But it's still good to know that skipping this "marvel mystery oil in the cylinders" step, is an option.
Once again, thank you so much for your time and help. I greatly appreciate it.
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Jun 1, 2013, 11:20 PM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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You're welcome. Glad to help out.
I'm pretty sure I know what you mean when you say "power wash" but wanted to double check. Since you said your uncle has a compressor I assume you just mean blowing with air. In my neck of the woods "power wash" means using a pressure washer which shoots high pressure water. That's one thing you never want to do under the hood of a car. There are too many electrical components and there's a good chance you could damage something. Blowing air is fine though.
Like I said, I'm certain you mean air but just wanted to mention it just in case. I hate not to say anything, I end up being wrong, and you run into more issues when it could've been prevented.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 2, 2013, 5:34 AM
Post #14 of 17
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Yes, listen to MG on that. NO WATER UNDER THE HOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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evansste
Novice
Jun 2, 2013, 9:59 AM
Post #15 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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Thanks so much to both of you! MG, I'm so glad that you took the time to clarify. I was, indeed, going to use a tool that uses water. It's called an "engine cleaning gun". I bought it from harbor freight tools.
Link deleted .......................... not allowed
It uses an air compressor, but it also sucks up a liquid solvent for cleaning. I'm sure glad that you two said something because I certainly was going to hook the thing up, open the hood, and spray away while using a solution of "simple green" that I bought from the store.
It now makes sense that this product is most likely intended for washing engine parts once the engine has been disassembled and removed from the car. So I'm certainly glad that you two spoke up!
As I've said in one of my earlier posts. I don't have much experience when it comes to working on my own car. I truly am a beginner. Therefore, your insight is a tremendous help. Imagine the heartache that you've saved me just based on your last post alone! I would have messed up my engine by improper use of this tool. So thanks again, so much, to both of you!
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 2, 2013, 10:31 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 2, 2013, 10:30 AM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: Starting a car that's been sitting for years
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20 years ago you could do that stuff too much electronics under there now. The people selling that foolish thing don't tell you that.
PS, please read the FORUM RULES
You are not allowed to post links with the exceptions of your own photos or videos.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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evansste
Novice
Jun 2, 2013, 1:04 PM
Post #17 of 17
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Sorry about posting the link.
I think I'll just skip the step about putting the marvel mystery oil in the cylinders. I can see how it wouldn't be a bad thing to do. However, what MG said makes perfect sense. As long as the oil has been replaced, when I start the engine, the cylinder will be lubricated from beneath the piston within milliseconds. This seems more cautious than taking out the spark plugs and potentially getting dirt inside the cylinders. All of this is very helpful.
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