Car sitting for 7 months.

[r00b]

On January 9th I left my car at my Grandparents in California, it was moved once not long after but hasn't been started since. I'm in Mississippi, I'll probably be able to pick my car up in a couple months. When I left it it had about 1/4 tank of gas. My Uncle has offered to start my car, should I let him? What will I need to do when I get back to my car(remove the gas or clean the tank)?

[fnzen]

you should not have any issues, however you might want them to put some stabilizer in the tank

[DMC5180]

Ruben,

You got the Biloxi Blues yet :biggrin:

The D should be fine. But it never hurts to have it fired up and fully warmed up. Has the battery been disconnected since it last ran or do you have it on a battery tender?

When You get back home just fill the tank and head up the coastal highway about 300 miles spend the night someplace then fill the tank again and head home. That's about the best prescription I give for car that yearns to be driven.

[DeMopar]

Yep, agreed. Should be just fine. Good point about disconnecting battery though.

[r00b]

I have a battery cut off switch, so It should have been switched off since it was last moved. When I pick her up, We'll be heading off to Colorado.

[DeLorean]

7 months? No problem. Charge battery, start and drive away. 7 years? You might have to drain the tank, replace the filter and replace the tank boot.

[Chris 16409]

Seven months is probably the amount of time Ryan had his engine out of the car. If you're worried about it, I don't suppose it would hurt if you siphon the old gas out.

[stevedmc]

The DMCH formula is you will have to spend $1,000 for every year your car rots away. Based on this you should have to spend some money.

Btw, I don't believe in all the DMCH propaganda. You will probably be fine unless your tank has ethanol in it.

On another note, where are you located? If you are within a few hours of Livingston, LA I would be more than happy to help out should you need any help when it is time to put it back on the road.

[David T]

On getting to the car make sure all of your paperwork is up to date. Check the tire pressures and charge the battery. Check the oil level in the motor and the coolant level. Start the motor and see it cycle the fans on at least once. Should take about 20 minutes. Drive the car and get the fuel tank as low as you can and then fill up with fresh gas. 7 months is not all that long unless it was left outside. In that case you also have to check for critters. If the car was in good shape before the storage you should not notice many ill effects from it. The cowl vent may be full of garbage, the battery could have frozen, something could have fallen on it and broken a window or dented a panel. Once you start driving the car all of the things that needed attention BEFORE you stored it will still need that attention and probably a few more!
David Teitelbaum

[WelmoedJ]

It's never a good idea to start the car and let the engine run idling until warmed-up.
This causes more damage to the mechanism compared to starting it and driving until warm.

"Warm" in this situation is "operating temperature".

Idling the car warm in a garage is not sufficient to charge a battery.
If you don't want somebody to drive your car until warm, leave it as is.
The battery can be charged both in and outside the car using a good charger.
Don't keep trickle chargers continuously connected to the battery.
They do more damage than good.

[David T]

My instructions were meant to be used just before driving the car after a long period of stroage. You want to be sure the fans will operate BEFORE you go out into traffic and find out you have a problem with them! I do not mean to drive the car to charge the battery, it should be charged up BEFORE you try starting the motor. The battery should have been removed for storage but if it is in the car it is best to remove it and charge it. As for warming up by letting it idle, I do not see how that can cause any damage to the "mechanism"? When the fans start the motor is at "Operating Temperature".
David Teitelbaum

[stevedmc]

On getting to the car make sure all of your paperwork is up to date.

What?

[stevedmc]

Idling the car warm in a garage is not sufficient to charge a battery.

Also, idling the car in a garage can kill you unless you are really good at holding your breath.

[David T]

You can idle the car in a garage if the door is open. Checking the paperwork means making sure your registration, insurance, and inspection is up to date. Something could have expired during the past 7 months and you do not want to get stopped with anything that expired. You also need to make sure you have all of your paperwork in case you do get stopped. In the excitement of getting the car going sometimes the simple stuff gets overlooked or forgotten. It is not just about getting the car running, you also want to be legal about it!
David Teitelbaum

[Chris 16409]

My buddy Ryan and I got a local owner's car up and running after it had been sitting for the better part of a year. Only after we had taken it on the road, had we realized that the registration wasn't current :/

[stevedmc]

You can idle the car in a garage if the door is open. Checking the paperwork means making sure your registration, insurance, and inspection is up to date. Something could have expired during the past 7 months and you do not want to get stopped with anything that expired. You also need to make sure you have all of your paperwork in case you do get stopped. In the excitement of getting the car going sometimes the simple stuff gets overlooked or forgotten. It is not just about getting the car running, you also want to be legal about it!
David Teitelbaum

You don't even need a license to drive. Back when I was 16 years old a friends dad told me a little story, "I got my drivers license when I was 16, they took it away when I was 17, and I've been driving ever since then." I believe he was in his 40s at the time.

[Dangermouse]

I think I know that guy. Said he didnt need insurance either because he wasn't going to have an accident.

[stevedmc]

I think I know that guy. Said he didnt need insurance either because he wasn't going to have an accident.

He couldn't get insurance for himself. Everything was under his wifes name. He really was an amazing man.