Found in a Barn - What Problems to expect?

hgray · 09-16-2003, 05:54 PM

The SC I am looking at is not quite "found in a barn", as it is in lovely shape. But with only 40,000 miles on it, is has spent lots of time not being driven.

I assume that the engine/rings & springs would not be adversely affected by long periods of sitting. I am wondering if the normal issues that will arise with such a car (fuel clogging the lines, engine seals leaking, brake lines/cylinders being clogged) will show up if the car has been driven a few hundred miles in the last year - OR - are these the kinds of problems that will lurk and surface for years to come??

Many thanks.

Doug Zielke · 09-16-2003, 06:16 PM

Harry,
Much depends on how the car was stored.
Properly put away, one should be able to drive it away with little problem. Otherwise, the motor/trans could have considerable damage from corrosion; ditto the braking system; the fuel system gummed up from the tank clear back to the injectors........etc.
I would inspect *everything* mechanical.

Long-term storage is not kind to machinery, even when it's done properly.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Two years ago my SC had 40,000 on the clock when I bought it.....the brakes needed work and the alternator took a dump.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

my SC had 40K on it a year ago. It was stored for 7 years indoors, but I don't know if it was started, etc. After fluids were replaced it ran fine. I had a tune and valve adjust done, brakes lines replaced, and had two swtiches go (light and turn signal). After a year and 14K miles, I had shocks, brakes, and AC stuff replaced with another tune and valve adjust. I think I have a very slow oil leak at this point, but nothing major, and the engine remained bone dry for most of the year.

As Doug says..."depends".

jazzbass · 09-16-2003, 08:12 PM

I'd look at anything rubber. Seals, weatherstripping, brake hoses, etc. Esp the rubber in the brake system. Even if stored properly, this stuff will still rot away over time. IMO, anytime you buy a used car like these, you should replace critical rubber peices - regardless of how many miles on the car.

timz · 09-17-2003, 03:31 AM

I've got a '77 911S that had sat for 10+ years. All the things you mentioned including the lines and the seals and anything rubber need to be addressed. The main problem is that mice have gotten into the car. To what extent they have found their way into the engine, I'm not sure yet. Good Luck!

Dantilla · 09-17-2003, 06:41 AM

Just assume that the original owner's name was Murphy.
But everything you fix or replace brings the car that much closer to perfect. A while ago a friend bought a used 3-series BMW, then spent the next few months fixing all the little things that were bugging him. He got frustrated and decided to sell. I'm sure the new owner got a great car- it was like new again!