Starting a car that’s been sitting for a couple years

Nathanp · 28th August 2020, 12:59 PM

Hi guys, I’ve bought an old 1994 landrover 3.9 v8 in the hopes of fixing her up. She went off the road 8 years ago (transmission lost reverse). The engine hadn’t been started for what’s thought to be a couple years, the previous owner claims to have started it every now and then. This is my first project car and I’m willing to put the work and money in to fix it considering we have all the time in the world at these current times. I just wanted to post on here to see if anyone has any tips/recommendations of what has to be done to get the car running with minimum engine damage as well as what other parts need to be checked over/replaced.

I know some of you may think it isn’t worth my time or money but It’s not all that, I’m hoping to learn more along the way as well. Even if it does turn out to be a dud I got the thing for $350 off a mate.

Thanks

**Eevo** · 28th August 2020, 01:16 PM

change oil, fuel, spark plugs, blinker fluid and battery would be a good starting point

**dirvine** · 28th August 2020, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Eevo

change oil, fuel, spark plugs, blinker fluid and battery would be a good starting point

Whats Blinker Fluid?

**cripesamighty** · 28th August 2020, 02:20 PM

This is blinker fluid.

https://cdn7.bigcommerce.com/s-b57m2...384043.jpg?c=2

Available at all good joke shops.

DiscoMick · 28th August 2020, 04:05 PM

Put a multi stage charger on the battery and leave it for several days to see if the battery can be revived.
Coolant might also need changing.
Also go overboard with the grease gun. Does it go into low range?

Nathanp · 28th August 2020, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Put a multi stage charger on the battery and leave it for several days to see if the battery can be revived.
Coolant might also need changing.
Also go overboard with the grease gun. Does it go into low range?

Does go into low range however its quite stiff.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 28th August 2020, 06:46 PM

Check crank for turnage with spanner/fan etc..
If the air cleaner has always been on,, disconnect spark turn over till oil pressure appears..

the odds are good at least one cylinder has been open to the elements.

**Eevo** · 28th August 2020, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Nathanp

Does go into low range however its quite stiff.

focus on engine running first.
once your happy with that, you can change coolant, gearbox oil, TC oil, diff oil.
no point changing that until u know the engine works.

for the oils, i would be using a cheap oil, and then changing it again after 500km of driving to help remove the old oil

**JDNSW** · 28th August 2020, 07:50 PM

Replace the fuel - petrol is quite possibly not very good after a couple of years.It might be, but I would not bet on it, and you really don't want to be chasing why it won't start when the fuel either has lost its light ends or has turned to sludge. Good idea to check the fuel filter as well before trying to start.

**BathurstTom** · 28th August 2020, 09:46 PM

Make sure it has enough oil and coolant to statrt and run it for long enough to evaluate it. Charging the battery for 2 or 3 days fist, as suggested, is a good idea.

Once you've had it running long enough to check it out, then start thinking about new oil, filters, coolant and hoses.

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