Hi everyone,

I hope to be taking my car out of storage within the next few weeks, providing the weather up here cooperates! It's been in a garage with a car cover on it since mid november, and it does have the same oil in it from the last time I drove it (I think that's mistake #1). I didn't quite empty the gas tank, I think there is still an 1/8 tank left. What exactly should I do to prepare it for the first startup/drive of the year? Thanks guys, car type is in the sig.

Steve

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87 Formula Firebird - LG4, 5 spd, All Stock!

84 Delta 88 Royale Brougham

 

Well we both seem to be thinking the same thing. I'm just itching to bring mine out.
I'm rather curious as to what could happen by leaving the old oil in it.. I usually do this. I figured new oil would break down while it sits. ?

Anyways, what I usually do when I bring mine out is first check all the fluids, clean the engine some, and fire it up and let it run till it's nice and hot. Then I move it from the backyard to the garage, and do some maintenance on it, oil, filters, check plugs, and the other fluids. Clean it all up. wax it and take it for a drive.. Not a hard drive though.



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89 RS Camaro, 305 TBI
Mostly Stock
Duel Snorkel Air intake

- Future Mods -
DynoMax Street Headers
DynoMax Cat Back

 

87,

I've done this for about fifteen years now, so I might have a few ideas of what could happen.

First, if you have the same oil in the case that you had last autumn, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If the oil was old and near the end of a change cycle when you stored the car, that could cause a few problems. Old oil can form acids, and acids like to leach the soft metal ions off the bearing shells and softer faces of aluminum parts, like pistons and such. If the oil was relatively clean when you stored the car, it's probably not a big concern.

The old fuel in the tank might not be a big problem either. If you used a fuel stabilizer when you put it away the fuel should still be useful to start and operate the car until you get to a place to "freshen" the supply in the tank.

Regarding the first startup, check the battery to make sure the charge is close to full. You don't need to strain the battery, starter, and charging system right out of the box. Make sure all fluid levels are topped off, and pay close attention to the cooling system and heater core area. Make sure the tires are fully inflated, and be prepared to deal with a sticky parking brake. Toss a stack of newspapers in the passenger's footwell area to help watch for drips from the core. Inspect the intake ducts and air cleaner for rodents, reptiles, insect nests, and debris. Take a quick look under the car to make sure you haven't lost any fluids or gained any visitors over the winter.

Start the engine and let it idle without "wicking" the throttle up. Be prepared for a little smoke on startup. Allow it to warm fully, watching for leaks and other problems. As the engine is warming up, lightly apply the brakes a few times, making sure the pedal remains firm and steady. A sinking pedal means you are likely losing fluid somewhere and need to start looking for puddles. Check lights and accessories.

With an auto trans, put the trans in gear a few times and operate it through the ranges then back into neutral or park. Let it fully engage, then select a different range. Check the fluid when it's warmed up. For a manual trans, run the shifter through the ranges and partially release (feather) the clutch to remove the inevitable rust from the flywheel and pressure plate.

When everything is ready, start moving the car slowly. Try the brakes lightly at first to clean the rust from the rotors/drums without destroying the pads/shoes. Roll the car around at low speed, allowing the differential lube to spread to the gears and outer wheel bearings. Steer lightly in both directions while moving to spread the grease around in the steering joints and pivots. Do not accelerate or stop hard if you can avoid it to minimize loading any system until it has had a chance to move freely.

Plan on a regrease of the steering/suspension, and a thorough inspection for uninvited "lodgers" who might have left at the first sign of good weather.

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Later,
Vader
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"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Thanks for the response Vader and FastElectrics, that's some really helpful info and now I have a much better idea as to what's facing me and needs to be done Thanks Again,

-Steve