Basic Question Checklist for Resurecting a Sitting Car

[Coral Red Syd]

84 Targa, I'm ashamed to admit she's been sitting in the garage, battery disconnected for over 1/2 a year. Bringing her back to be a more frequent pleasure driver but want to make sure I don't strain the engine in the initial stages. Praying the seals are not shot.
Compiling a check list of items to do before starting her and getting her back on the road.

1. Gas tank - full - hate to add any dry gas additive.
2. Change the Oil
3. Charge the battery
4. air pressure and drivability checks - lights, brakes etc.
5. start engine and drive immediately - slowly
6. consult 101 project book for valves, tie rods, etc

What am I missing - any do's or don'ts.

Thanks

[RickM]

Did you use a gas preservative? If not be careful. 6 months is about at the cusp of gasoline's lifespan.

If you need to drain then follow these simple instructions from john Walker:

"Rick, To activate the fuel pump, use a jumper wire to give battery power to the fuse. it's the 3rd fuse on the 10 fuse block. You'll hear it come on. The fuel rails clamp the injectors to the intake manifold on both sides of the engine. There's a cap nut on the end of the left one that's easy to access. Be careful not to loose the ball bearing under it. Just slip a 4 foot hose over the threads and use a hose clamp. Then proceed to fill your 5 gal gas can. jw"

Life will be easier if you have an assistant at the fuse to turn the fuel pump on and off."


Also, the fuse box is located under the front hood at the driver's side trunk wall. Simply remove the black plastic lid to access the fuses. The lid also has the fuse/circuit designations.

[Coral Red Syd]

Did not use additive.
Can you hand syphon out the tank or is there a drain plug.
I've disconnected the fuel line that connects to the fuel pump before to get a good drain.

Thoughts?

[RickM]

The first question I posed to the board was "How to drain Gas from '85 911 tank"....for the Carrera the above mentioned procedure seemed to be the easiest and cleanest.

How to drain Gas from '85 911 tank?

[Jerome Ryals]

Check out your brakes, may have accumulated a good bit of rust on your rotors, check fluid levels etc., It (you) may want to go fast but make sure it can stop too.

[anthony]

I don't think I'd be that worried about six month old gas especially if the tank was topped up. You could siphon half of the tank and then go fill it up with fresh gas to be safe. I think I would:

charge battery
start it
check brakes
gently run it up to full operating
drain half tank and go to gas station and fill up
change oil
bleed brakes
adjust valves and do other tune-up stuff as needed

[ruf-porsche]

Just start it up and drive the snot out of it.

I normally store my cars from October through April, and if it warm enough I will go and start it up now and then, but normally with the weather in Chicago it isn't warm enough until May.

I had my Lotus in storage for 8 years and just added gas to the tank and replaced the battery and she started up after a quick shot of starting fluid.