Please help, the pain is unbearable

[mhackney]

In the "it's a miracle department!"

I can't believe it. I added 5 gallons of Mobile's best and turned the key so the fuel pump started up. Waited 1o seconds, pumped the gas pedal 3 times, held my breath and turned the key. It cranked over, and I heard ignition! Backed off the key, waited 20 seconds, pumped 3 times and turned the key. It fired up! And didn't sound bad at all. No big puff of smoke or anything. I let it idle at 1000-1200RPM for a minute while I watched the oil pressure gauge - which was at 60. I did notice my fuel gauge still read E although I know I have 5 gals in it. I'll get to that later I guess.

So, I have made great progress me thinks. Now, before I go rushing off and do something stupid, what do you recommend in terms of next steps to bring this S back to full life? How long should I let it run, when should I check the oil , levels, should I let it run/idle to temperature now?

I am going to go cut the grass so hopefully I'll have some feedback in an hour or so that I can use to take the next steps.

Cheers and thanks for all the help so far! You can't believe how excited I am - actually, I bet you can!

Michael

[mhackney]

Ahh, and I am going to need new tires too. Anyone have any recommendation for some good all around road tires. No snow, maybe a little rain, street only.

cheers,
Michael

[rick-l]

Originally posted by mhackney
if I pull the yellow wire and measure the voltage on it, shouldn't I see it spike to 12V when I turn on the ignition to the start position? It did not seem to have any voltage on it.

Yes

Isn't this kind of a key item?

[911pcars]

Originally posted by mhackney
if I pull the yellow wire and measure the voltage on it, shouldn't I see it spike to 12V when I turn on the ignition to the start position? It did not seem to have any voltage on it.

Originally posted by rick-l
Yes

Isn't this kind of a key item?

I agree. If you disconnect the yellow wire from the solenoid and rotate the ign. switch to "crank", the voltmeter should show source voltage (same as battery voltage). If not, there's something wrong with the start circuit (wire and/or switch position).

At any rate, it sounds like your cranking issues are okay for now. However, 12.4 volts at rest is a little on the low side; should be closer to 13 volts. Put it on a trickle charger for a couple of days and see if the open voltage goes up. If not, the battery might be on the edge.

My first Optima (1996) needed a high current jolt (~1hr.) to accept a normal or trickle-charge. However, my current Optima (circa 2005) doesn't have that same characteristic. It discharged down to 6-7 volts awhile back (light ON), but I just connected the trickle charger onto it and the next day it was fine.

Note to all. Monitor the charging temperature and don't let the battery overheat. Plates will distort and shorten its life.

Sherwood

[Ken911]

sounds like the first thing you need to do is drive to a gas station

[mhackney]

Ken, seriously? Nothing special I need to do to resurrect an engine that has been sitting for 2 1/2 years?

I am going to go out and start her up now and let her idle to warm up, check the oil and then get some fresh gas.

cheers,
Michael

[berettafan]

Originally posted by 69 Soft Targa
Great! I feel much better now!

Think I'll go for a drive...hmm...which car today?

the '69

[mhackney]

So I have a full tank of premium and here I sit at a MA state inspection station for an hour wait. My sticker expired 9/2004 - ouch! Anyway it drove like a champ and the clutch issue that started all this shifted as smooth as silk. After rje inspection, a nice wash/wax ,d enterior detailing and I am good to go - except for the tires that is. Any recommendatios?

Cheers,
Michael

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally posted by mhackney
Ahh, and I am going to need new tires too. Anyone have any recommendation for some good all around road tires. No snow, maybe a little rain, street only.

cheers,
Michael

I've been running Firestone Wide Ovals for a few months now and am very happy with their performance. Price was good too.

[barney911rs]

Glad to hear you got it back on the road. I'd check and make sure there are no brake issues, stuck pistons, dry rotted hoses and seals, etc. Good luck.

[DaddyGlenn]

John is right. I'd flush the brake system and give the hoses a close look.

[mhackney]

Ok, inspection went fine. Need new tires though. Will do on the brake fluid change. All the hoses were replaced 3 years ago. The car was stored on a lift in my garage so it was out of the weather. I was underneath looking at all the hoses, etc and they all look like new.

Cheers,
Michael

[mhackney]

Ok, my old lady got new shoes!

Ended up with Michelin Pilot Exalto 195 65 R15. Some locals recommended them and there are some good reports on this forum. Only got to drive about 20 more miles tonight on a beautiful clear spring New England evening. I can't believe how much I missed this car, what was I thinking!

Anyway, now I will make my way through a complete chassis lube, brake fluid change and I need to do something about the idle speed. I had this problem before the clutch mishap. Basically, once warmed up, the idle climbs up to about 1800RPM. If I put a little strain on the engine by releasing the clutch with the brak on, the idle speed drops down to 800ish and usually stays there unless the day is really hot. If really hot out, it will stay at the lower idle and then usually creep back up after a couple of minutes. Any ideas on how to diagnose this problem appreciated.

Cheers,
Michael

[9dreizig]

Did he really just go from "help the pain is unbearable" to new tires and the car runs great , in two days and only two pages of posts??
This board works miracles!

[mhackney]

I tell you, I should have bought some lottery tickets today! I can't believe how smooth it went. 2 1/2 years ago, when we popped the engine back in, I spent 3 days futzing with the wiring and never got the starter to kick in. Then, last week I searched here for starter wiring and found a post with photos and a description. Yesterday, I wired my starter up but the battery was dead. Today, the battery was charged and the engine turned over but didn't fire up. We probably hadn't put much gas in when we reassembled. So I added 5 gals of fresh premium and I could not believe that it started up like it had never been off the road for 2 1/2 years. Then, I was actually able to pass the MA auto inspection today too - always an ordeal. And then, finally, new rubber. This board does work miracles! I've been smiling all day! Tomorrow I get to drive my family all over MA for my older son's soccer tournament. Will be like the good old days!

Cheers and thanks!
Michael

[mhackney]

Well, I did end up having to get a new Optima today. The S sat for 24 hrs yesterday and the battery read 8v when I tried to start it this morning. I had trickle charged it for over 48 hours. Turns out the battery was from 2000 anyway.

cheers,
Michael