I have recently purchased a Z31 300zx turbo that has been sitting in the open for maybe 5 years now I'm looking to getting it running again, are there any "secrets" to getting the car running again or things I should do before even attempting to start the vehicle?
(17 year old on a tight budget fair amount of knowledge in the auto industry) and no this is not my only vehicle or something I'm looking to daily. Help PLEASE!! Looking to restore the vehicle.
Getting it to run after sitting for years
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newbie300zx
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evildky
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Re: Getting it to run after sitting for years
Pull the spark plugs and rotate the engine by hand before you fire it up. Assuming all goes well and nothing appears to hit or drag, change all the fluids, including the gas! Fresh plugs and battery and give her a go.
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Desert Rat
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Re: Getting it to run after sitting for years
put a little bit of oil down those spark plug holes too to prevent friction. Make sure all the accessories spin freely as well to save smoking a belt on startup. Make sure she has oil in it and it's not all milky nasty from a previous issue that caused it to get parked in the first place.
After 5 years, the gas is gonna be nasty too. I'd buy a couple fuel filters too....replace one up front so the gas from it can drain back through the lines, and get some fresh gas mixed in the tank at minimum. A full drain of the tank would be better.
After you have it running for a bit and get the old gas out, I"d swap out that filter again.
Brake fluid, etc. should also be flushed. It's highly corrosive, and old brake fluid tends to invite moisture which will rust the lines from the insdie out. Go through that with a fine tooth comb and look for leaks.
Tires are probably going to be dryrotted too, so once you do get it running, be cautious about running up to highway speeds, especially if the tires are showing any cracking.
good luck!
After 5 years, the gas is gonna be nasty too. I'd buy a couple fuel filters too....replace one up front so the gas from it can drain back through the lines, and get some fresh gas mixed in the tank at minimum. A full drain of the tank would be better.
After you have it running for a bit and get the old gas out, I"d swap out that filter again.
Brake fluid, etc. should also be flushed. It's highly corrosive, and old brake fluid tends to invite moisture which will rust the lines from the insdie out. Go through that with a fine tooth comb and look for leaks.
Tires are probably going to be dryrotted too, so once you do get it running, be cautious about running up to highway speeds, especially if the tires are showing any cracking.
good luck!