Need help with my 240sx that has been sitting for 2 years!!!

[godp777]

aight i got a 240sx that has been sitting for almost 2 years straight without starting it or n e thing... the thing is i am in the military and i deployed while i was deployed i had a buddy look after it but they lost the key while i was gone so they never started it, now i been back for a while but after hearing that it wasn't started i lost all passion for it.. but recently another buddy of mine gave me a whole new ignition cylinder with the key so i figure i try it out...ok before i left ,the car ran like a dream but being that it has been sitting almost 2 years can anyone give me suggestions of things to do before i start it so i wont seriously kill the engine ...thanks guys in advance...

oh btw its an 89 fastback with about 77,000 original miles on the motor

[KASilvia90]

I would definatly get more than one opinion but:

I would do a tune-up. Get the battery tested and recharged from autozone or some place similiar. New cap/rotor. New oil. Flush the coolant system and refill. New spark plugs. Fuel filter (definatly) and maybe throw some injector cleaner in the tank. I'm not sure about this but maybe new trans, differential fluid, brake fluid and any other fluids. Oh also a new air filter or if you have a CAI reclean it.

I'd check the tires for dry-rotting and pressure holding. The gas is probably junk in the car now, I think they have like a "fuel refresher" at your typical automotive place but if not octance booster with system cleaner or something might do the trick as well, dont really know about that.

When your finally ready to start it, I'd get a breaker bar with a i think it is a 1-1/6th socket and turn the motor over by muscle a few times (place socket on crank pulley bolt, rotate clockwise facing the engine), at least 3 full crank rotations (pull cap off, make the rotor go around 2-4times, doesnt have to be precise when you stop either). itll be tough to do because you have to overcome the compression but itll help get everything kinda loosen anything "age stuck" so the starter doesnt pwn anything.

After that, turn the key all the way without cranking it over. Make sure the fuel isnt leaking or anything like that and their are no awkward noises or electrical issues presenting themselves. Then have at it, kill it if it goes funky though.

Yeah its a bit cautious but hey, better safe than sorry. I would also look the car over, especially around the wiring harness. Make sure no mice or anything chewed wires up, i mean worse that happens is it doesnt start or maybe your headlights wont turn on if you dont catch it though.

Now that im thinking of it, i would probably pull the oil pump out and clean it or replace it. Sitting could have caused it to kinda plug up. My friends did after about a year. The hydraulic lifters will act as a warning device though, loud ticking and poor performance without exhaust leaks causing it = low oil pressure.

Sorry for the length

[VanNelson]

When your finally ready to start it, I'd get a breaker bar with a i think it is a 1-1/6th socket and turn the motor over by muscle a few times (place socket on crank pulley bolt, rotate clockwise facing the engine), at least 3 full crank rotations (pull cap off, make the rotor go around 2-4times, doesnt have to be precise when you stop either).

It's a 1-1/16, I just don't want you to go buy an extra large socket that doesn't work.

[180fan]

27mm

[godp777]

man thanks KASilvia90 i wasn't expecting such detail but i sure do appreciate it ...i think i will start working on all that this weekend in hopes that the enigine is as strong as it was before i left...man i really cant thank you guys enough...

[KASilvia90]

No problem, I dont mind giving a helping hand to fellow Nissan owners. Good luck with everything, hope it hasnt lost its spunk.

[Madmax3]

KA gave you some great information. A couple of things I would do if it were my car would be to pull the spark plugs and put a table spoon of light oil in each cylinder before turning it over with the breaker bar and then let it sit for a few hours to let the oil run down the cylinders. Not too much oil just a table spoon. Then I would drain the gas and put fresh gas into it and include a good injector cleaner in the gas. If you are lucky it will run rough for a while and then the injectors may clean them selves up. If not you may have to pull the injectors and clean them. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

[ralphdig]

The oil at the spark plugs is a must!!Also put the plugs AFTER you crank the motor by hand with the gas pump disconected.

[carcrazyguy]

aight i got a 240sx that has been sitting for almost 2 years straight without starting it or n e thing... the thing is i am in the military and i deployed while i was deployed i had a buddy look after it but they lost the key while i was gone so they never started it, now i been back for a while but after hearing that it wasn't started i lost all passion for it.. but recently another buddy of mine gave me a whole new ignition cylinder with the key so i figure i try it out...ok before i left ,the car ran like a dream but being that it has been sitting almost 2 years can anyone give me suggestions of things to do before i start it so i wont seriously kill the engine ...thanks guys in advance...oh btw its an 89 fastback with about 77,000 original miles on the motor

A car that has sat will always have issues due to it, but it isn't a deal breaker. I also recently bought a 240 thay had been sitting...I believe around 1.5 years. The one thing not mentioned yet is brakes. When I got this one the brake rotors were completely rusted and the fluid was dark. Upon driving home, I barely had brakes at all. After putting new fluid in and after a couple days of driving, the brakes are normal again. Chances are the slide pins need lube too, but since they feel fine, I will leave that alone unless I see abnormal pad wear...or I will lube everything if I have to replace pads.Either way, if it is a nice car you have and you plan to keep it a long time, go ahead and change every fluid, period. And of course just driving it again will help quite a bit - this helps the juices get flowing again, whether electrical or liquid.