Car hasn't been started in over 3 years. What should I do before turning the key? ?

Question

I have a 87 trans am that I have been doing some work on. It hasn't ran in over 3 years. I think all it needs is a battery. It has new spark plugs. I was thinking it wouldn't be a bad Idea to change the oil before starting the car and maybe suck the old gas out and put new gas in? Is their any thing else that I should doing? I plan on flushing the radiator and changing the staring and break fluid before driving the car. Thanks

Answer 1

the first thing i would do is change the oil and filter, then drain the tank and add some good gas to it. as for the plugs, you can change them once you get it started, also you might consider changing the gas filter too before you start it.

Answer 2

Here's what I would do.

First, don't spend any money that you don't have to; times are getting tough you know.

That means don't buy 4 new tires, or even a new battery, or new fuel filter.  I wouldn't even bother changing the oil before you start it; get it warmed up, and then change it.  

Definitely flush the brake system before you drive it; brake fluid absorbs water, and yours will be very bad by now.  Go spray some PB Blaster on the bleeder screws right now.  The power  steering fluid should be fine. Don't flush the cooling system until the car has been warmed up and a flushing additive put in.

Take the battery out and charge it.  If it takes a charge, great, you just saved 80 bucks.  The first time it gives you an ounce of trouble, replace it.

How full is the gas tank?  If it's like 1/4 of a tank, there's going to be a lot of water in it from condensation in all the air that was inside it.  In any case, add some dry-gas to absorb whatever water is in there.  If the tank is fairly low, consider just adding 5 gallons of fresh gas to whatever is still in the tank.  Fuel is expensive, disposal of old gas is a bit of a problem, and cars have started on gas a lot older than that.

Check the air intake to make sure that no critters have taken up residence; you don't want to suck their nest into your intake manifold.

Before you start the engine, pull the plugs and spray some fogging oil into each cylinder.  The cylinder walls have almost no lubricant on them by now, and the first start will put more wear on the rings and cylinder walls than the next 500 starts.  After you fog each cyliner, turn the engine over by hand if you can (with a socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt), or with a couple of short engagements of the starter.  Then put the plugs back in and start it up.

Enjoy your ride.

Answer 3

well the old gas will be the worse thing and draining it and new fuel filter would be smart anything you can change or clean now before you start it will be great oil the motor yes any fluids smart to replace now

Answer 4

fluid levels especially the oil

Answer 5

change the oil and the coolant. oh and pray it works. i will at least. haha good luck they were really good cars in my opinion

Answer 6

ya. change a new engine oil.

run out all old gas.

replace 4 new tires.

change new battery.

and last thing is flush the radiator.that's good.

87 trans am is a good car.

hard to find hah?hihi

Answer 7

put tranny fluid in it and good luck they were very good cars!

Answer 8

Change the oil and coolant.

Answer 9

new fuel it will have no octane and like the others say oil and coolant and transmission oil