|
|
2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
|
|
| |
|
|
IdleCarHelp
New User
Feb 18, 2015, 11:04 AM
Post #1 of 7
(1737 views)
|
2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
2005
Scion
Tc
Engine size 2.4L
~70,000 mi
5 speed manual
Hey Guys,
I have worked until recently as a civilian federal employee overseeing logistics overseas. Now I'm home for good. 
The week before I deployed, I hit a pothole in my 2005 Scion Tc, and did not have the time to get the bent rim fixed, let alone to get everything squared away before I put it into storage. So, it has collected quite some dust, both outside and in.
Four and a half years later, the car is still in climate controlled storage. I know the battery must be dead, I need a new rim & tire, and there's no way that gas in the tank is still good, but beyond that I just need some general advice on how to get this car ready to pass down to my son.
I need to be sure it's reliable for him as a daily driver, beside having sat there so long, and *especially* I don't want to get ripped off by an unscrupulous mechanic. Money is going to be tight for the next few months, and any unnecessary repairs = money my family can't use for what's needed around the home.
My basic question is, where do I start? Any help at all will be deeply appreciated.
(This post was edited by IdleCarHelp on Feb 18, 2015, 11:05 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 18, 2015, 11:29 AM
Post #2 of 7
(1727 views)
|
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
FOUR AND A HALF YEARS! Ok - Gas and oil are my first concerns. You really will benefit if you tow this out with that info and get gas out, oil both changed and pre-lube cylinders if it takes turning by hand before initial try. Right - Battery would be junk by now and old enough anyway.
Rim and probably get an alignment too.
The good news it was in climate controlled storage despite not totally being prepped for that is probably going to be ok if you do or have it done right.
What concerns me most is oil has had all that time to drain/drip to oil pan and leave everything just about dry of oil. Some if just setting out in the weather engine could seize if new in less time than that.
Duh - tires and spare should be put up to correct pressure too.
Other things on a maintenance listed in owner's manual check what it suggests and when running let it burn a tank of fuel before you trust it too much and should be ok?
Good luck,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
IdleCarHelp
New User
Feb 18, 2015, 11:52 AM
Post #3 of 7
(1719 views)
|
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
Thank you for your reply, Tom!
Can you please clarify what you mean when you say, in reference to the oil slowly making its way through the engine over the years, "Some if just setting out in the weather engine could seize if new in less time than that."
Does this apply only to starting the car after the oil is replaced, or could it be damaged due to the swift temperature decrease during the tow? I ask this because we are in Indiana and it is 12F here. It has been stored in an underground garage at a constant 65F since I deployed, and I don't want to do anything boneheaded or wasteful trying to get this car up and running for my family.
Thank you, again.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 18, 2015, 12:09 PM
Post #4 of 7
(1713 views)
|
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
There's a term for that oil thing when sitting a long time. No joke, MILLIONS of brand new cars by year TWO get recycled for parts or just what is salvageable because of OUTDOOR storage and metal cold at night warm humid days perhaps rust them solid seized.
You don't or should have that problem but there's no oil anytime recently been circulating so wouldn't even crank it by next battery yet until you consider this pre-lube thing thru spark plug holes or at least a fog into intake.
If doing this yourself you can or should be able to turn engine by the crank bolt now and that's a great sign if you can without hassle.
Fuel - I don't know if this vehicle will siphon out most of or not for sure. It would be nice to get as much out as possible, perhaps some solvent (don't overdo stuff in a can) might help.
What you do now could save you a lot of headaches vs doing nothing but the battery and giving it a try.
Again - you should be OK. It's just known on the new cars that get parked right at factories unsold that they don't try to do much and dump them as new models and everything who whoants to begin with a problem car? Those TMK they just don't discount and sell to the willing as it would only be bad for the brand name.
First start watch gauges and I'd like to see oil pressure right up right away. You can start it with the oil that's in it and change it right away after warming up some or I would,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
IdleCarHelp
New User
Feb 18, 2015, 12:31 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1704 views)
|
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks, Tom. Very helpful advice!
Feel free to add anything else that crosses your mind on this matter.
I should be able to begin work on the car this weekend.
(This post was edited by IdleCarHelp on Feb 18, 2015, 12:32 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 18, 2015, 2:51 PM
Post #6 of 7
(1690 views)
|
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
Again, good luck and think you'll be ok with just some care for that first start up. Fuel in this case worries me. It's not that stable with an assortment of additives that can and will go bad - separate and plug things up. Awful hard to say for sure as there are tons of formulas used. Smell it - it may stink.
Said in the novel I wrote that you really aren't sure of this car until it's been up and running for a while now. It's important even with indoor climate control to test out brakes in place once running that they hold the car at all then stop ok after a few stops might be rough? Can't say for sure just watch out for that.
A product called SeaFoam by brand is useful to break up any gel if that happened. Duh - tank isn't made of glass so you can't see it but could test some if you dropped the fuel filter and looked at fuel dumped into clean glass for a look and replace filter if off doing that anyway.
Storing one now myself and start it now and then and drain off fuel with lots of stabilizer product for the fuel but run it to keep oils going. That has been ongoing for about 9+ years and so far still starts and runs fine first time. Reminds me it's time to dump fuel again - not left with that much.
Other things like seasonal equipment or take boats for example in areas where you don't or can't use them off season you go thru hurdles just for the 4-5 months or so.
Tires can take a hit from sitting in the same position too. Some may feel a flat spot that goes away some may not and you wont know till you drive it really.
Take your time as what you do now will matter.
The best thing you did for short notice is storing it out of the weather or this would be a nightmare.
Here's a like (generally not allowed here) that shows some million of new cars and the story of how leaving them outdoors will eventually ruin them. Don't click on anything at this site at it's full of junk I don't trust but a neat show of the millions of new cars just sitting unsold while companies keep making more and more. Have to as suppliers would all go out of biz if they just stopped and really a shame there isn't a better way or could be cared for but no room.
Take a peek at the fields of cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.vincelewis.net/unsoldcars.html
Just scroll and read as said I don't trust that spot other than the look and read.
Let us/me know how you made out or if you have any other questions or notice anything strange or worse if it fails to run we can take it from there,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 18, 2015, 2:53 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
IdleCarHelp
New User
Feb 18, 2015, 3:41 PM
Post #7 of 7
(1686 views)
|
Re: 2005 Scion coming out of long-term storage, need advice
|
Sign In
|
|
Many thanks for more great advice. That graveyard of new cars was tragic to see - thankfully mine won't become one of them. I'll keep you updated with any problems or successes I encounter!
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Tierod end change caused some kind of leak
equipment
Howdy
