starting my cb7 after 2 years of it chilling in the garage :(

[cb74life99]

Hey guys,

First off can I comment on what an awesome forum this is As the title suggests my car has been sitting in the garage for 2 years. To my memory, the car was fine, just that it was not being driven around (car alarm prolly drained it). I was wondering how I should approach this problem. Should I be checking certain fluid levels or certain problems that may occur because of the cars' inactivity. I'm going to try to jump the battery, although I am pretty certain it will need a new one.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Nick

[JoshM]

Drain and refill ALL fluids prior to even attemping to start it.

[cloudasc]

Drain and refill ALL fluids prior to even attemping to start it.

x2, that includes draining the gastank, and changing the oil & fuel filters, coolant, power steering fluid, tranny fluid, the whole nine yards.

Use the old gas you drained from your car, in your lawnmower, and dispose of the other used fluids at your local automotive store.

[2fast4usteeley]

along with the brake fluid too, i would probably flush the master cylinder out well too, since brake fluid absorbs moisture fairly quick, you dont want cross contamination

[XcluziveAZN]

your battery probably Dead Dead

you might need new battery. Try charging it over night and see if hold any charge.

[batever]

I don't feel it's necessary to drain the power steering fluid.

Ideally, I would siphon out the gas and put new gas in, and consider putting a fuel conditioner like a small amount of Lucas in the new gas to help clear out any plaques that have formed in the fuel lines.
(I started my car on 9 month old gas recently, and all is fine, but 2 years is probably pushing it--supposedly plaques can form from the gas once it gets really old.)

I would change the oil and filter.

I would change the transmission fluid--but it's not necessary to do it right away, just before you start driving the car a lot.

Most importantluy, before starting the car, put some clean motor oil into each cylinder through the spark plug holes. I would also spray some PB Blast if you've got it into each spark plug hole to help lubricate the top of the cylinder since it's been sitting for so long.

Unless you've had the car on stands, your tires will be flat-topped from sitting in the same spot for 2 years so you may want to get some new tires at some point. You'll notice the lack of smoothness/vibration as you drive, particularly at higher speeds.

However, I've been driving my flat-topped tires for 2-3 months and it's fine-not as smooth as it could be but easily bearable. I don't drive it over 70 with these old, nearly worn out, and flat-topped tires.

As to brake fluid, it's time to change it after 2 years but not before you get the thing running. There's time for that. Even if the fluid is old and has absorbed water you will get good enough braking for "civilian" purposes. I'd change the brake fluid once I was sure I was driving the car regularly. You should do it soon because old fluid can corrode the steel brake lines due to the H2O content it has picked up.

that's the same rationale as the power steering fluid. you should do it soon, but it's not imperative at the very start when you're just getting the car running and trying it out again.

good luck

[cb74life99]

Thanks everyone for your time and wisdom. I am going to get started on this ASAP. I'll keep people posted with my progress.

[C91BLX7]

Dont be a pussy, just go start that bitch.

[dano28]

Dont be a pussy, just go start that bitch.

My sentiments exactly...

[batever]

Dont be a pussy, just go start that bitch.

hmmm...that can work, too.

[Potatoswatter]

Before you invest in new tires, rebalancing your wheels will make the flat tops a lot less bumpy.

[deevergote]

The last car I let sit for a long time ended up burning oil like crazy.