Occasional cars are put in storage for periods of time and sometimes it can be tricky to get them running again after a long period of dormancy, particularly if proper storage procedures were neglected. Depending upon the length of time and the conditions of storage it may or may not be necessary to perform major mechanical operations. This article is geared only towards the medium term, (less than a half year) of storage in good conditions (covered, not exposed to animals/elements).
Basic Restart Guide
1. Check Fluids. Fuel, Breaks, Power steering, coolant, oil.
2. Check battery for Charge. Boost if necessary.
Cross fingers and try to start.
A: Success! Proceed to letting car idle for 5-15 minutes to fully lubricate entire system. This will also let the battery charge back up so that the vehicle can restart unassisted. Get to a petrol station and fill up with premium fuel (or get some additives such as injector cleaners) to help burn out crud in the system. Consider replacing your fuel filter as it may have dried out and become useless. Also check air pressure in the tires and check your fluids again after the vehicle has run for a while.
B: Failure!
3. Check air and fuel filter.
4. Diagnose problems, does engine turn over? Is fuel getting to the engine? Are the spark plugs operating?
If engine seems to turn over but not catch then focus on the fuel system.
If engine turns over but misfires check timing and fuel system.
If engine does not turn over check starter and electronics.
If engine does not turn over, starter is fine and battery is fine then you may have some serious problems. If you suspect a seized engine call a professional as most of the time some fairly serious mechanical first aide will have to be applied to the vehicle. If you are brave then consider lubricating the cylinders by hand and adding fuel stabilizer to your gas. Remove spark plugs and let the car sit while the oil penetrates. Try starting next day, if it still will not start go over all the simple things again. For example, check electrical connections to starter/battery, check fuses, check fuel, check battery, check spark plugs, filters, etc. Still no good? Call for backup!
An important thing to remember is that whenever the break system of a car is opened up it will be necessary to bleed air out of the system. When you replace break components that are connected to the break lines (so things such as calipers, wheel cylinders, break lines, or the master cylinder) it is likely that air will get into the system as you need to disconnect the break lines to service these components.
Breakdowns happen! Eventually every car will break down and will cost you money to fix. Many of us try to keep up the regular maintenance to minimizes these occurrences but eventually it will happen to everybody. As cars age and wear out, as a result of both chronological age and mileage, it become an ever greater chance to have a breakdown. The most common problems that can cause breakdowns are: batteries, fuel pumps, clutch/transmissions, breaks, tires, worn wires/hoses and spark plugs.
Those other fluids: Power Steering and Transmission Fluids
Cars utilize several different fluids in order to function properly such as transmission, power steering engine and brake. Making sure that these fluids are at the proper level is very important to the health of your car. Power steering and transmission fluid are properly some of the least talked about but they are two of the most important components of your car. They help to make sure, not only that your car runs but that is runs safely...
What Are The Differences and What Should I Look Out For?
When it comes to picking out manufacture car parts, there are many, many different things to take into consideration, especially if you are thinking about purchasing your car parts via a third party or even a refurbished car part. There are many different advantages to both of those, but you always want to make sure that you are weighing all of the pros and cons before you commit to anything. If you intend on getting yourself some car parts from a third party, you definitely need to take a few things into consideration before you commit.
