My employer has two cars that have been parked outside for the better part of the last 2 years without ever being started. They are low mileage cars that were in good condition when they were last used. A Toyota Camry and a Hyundai Elantra.
He wants me to find out what needs to be done to get them going again.
I’ve got the feeling that at the very least they will need new batteries and fresh fuel. Is there anything else I need to do before trying to start them?
Oh dear. I’m not an expert but storing a car for that length of time, outside and without even running it occasionally is asking for trouble. It sounds from your description that your employer didn’t follow the advice of even the most cursory of googles i.e. disconnecting the battery, using a fuel stabiliser, draining the radiator, etc. This may have resulted in any number of potential consequences, but I’d expect that the tyres will be history (flat spots and breakdown from general exposure), the break pads could likely disintegrate too upon use, the engine has probably suffered significant corrosion and will require thorough servicing, not to mention all manner of fluid changes, fading, thermal cracks to the interior, rust problems, damaged caused by oil breakdown products to the engine and oil filter, damage to the fuel line from the petrol by-products, and corroded window seals and windscreen wipers. I’d ask your local garage for advice and perhaps to carry out an inspection to see whether this is worth doing.
You hit the 2 biggest concerns.
I might spray some 2 cycle mixed fuel into each cylinder before turning over.
I would put an octane additive into the fuel system even after removing old fuel unless the tanks were removed to be emptied.(witch I wouldn’t do).
Might keep a watch on brake caliper temps for a time in case one hangs up.
Then the normal oil filter changes.
On my pickup, its old but when I don’t run it for a week or so I try and remember to turn the ignition on then off and on again before cranking to bring fuel pressure up. It sure seems to help.
Our Fire Department has 2 model A Ford’s that are 1929 and 1931. These firetrucks get started only 1 time each year for the 4th parade. They both have original tires that are aired up each year. Last year one tube was replaced on the 1929 and the opposite rear tire needed a tube this year and that was mostly because of the valve stems.
The battery’s are the only thing stored away from the trucks that are stored in an unheated old building that will be demolished this summer. (the old city hall)
Its a case of, “They don’t make them like that anymore”
Wow. That list up there goes above and beyond the standard for excessive and unwarranted worrying.
New batteries would be wise. The old ones might accept a charge and function reasonably well, but surely they’ve been severely discharged and thus had their lives shortened. Or they may already be shot.
Once the batteries are dealt with, start 'em up. Chances are they’ll run fine, and you can drive to a gas station to add some fresh fuel. If they won’t start on the gas that’s in them, then add some fresh gas see if that does it. It might be necessary to drain the tanks and then add fresh gas, but I’d be surprised if you have to go that far.
Do check the air pressure in the tires. Even perfectly good tires can lose some pressure over time.
Other than things that obviously suffered from time and exposure (e.g. wiper blades), I wouldn’t bother with anything else.
I was in exactly this situation a couple of years ago. My brother in law left his truck outside of his house for a couple of years since it was a stick so he didn’t like to drive it. He ended up getting another car and didn’t need the truck any more.
I replaced the battery, then just started pouring small bits of gasoline into the throttle body until the thing finally kicked over and ran. It ran like crap on two year old gas, but it did run. I just revved it up and idled it for a while until it started to run a bit smoother, then I drove it around the neighborhood, speeding up and hitting the brakes then speeding up and hitting the brakes, trying to work the brakes loose. After a couple of spins around the block, the brakes loosened up and started to act normal again.
Now that it could go and stop safely, I drove it to the gas station and filled it up. It had half a tank of two year old gas, and now had half a tank of fresh gas. It ran a bit rough, but not too bad. It was running a lot better than it had been on two year old gas alone. I drove it from my brother in law’s house to my house, which was about an hour and a half trip. I had a bit of tire vibration from the flat spots where it had sat for two years, but that slowly worked its way out.
Once I got it to my house, I drove it around just using it normally. I made sure to let the gas tank go almost completely empty before filling it. After that it was fine. I changed the oil after about a week. After a couple of weeks you couldn’t even tell that the thing had sat for two years. Even the flat spots on the tires disappeared. I didn’t have to replace the tires.
You will definitely need to replace the battery. Just follow Gary T’s advice. It may be a bit difficult to get started, but eventually it will probably turn over. The only thing I have to add to his (always excellent) advice is to check the air intake and make sure no critter has made a nest in there, and check the wiring to make sure no critter has gnawed through it either.
I thought someone published a how-to for persons going to Iraq. Perhaps I am wrong since no one has jumped in here with that tidbit.
Mobil home persons often park for long periods too. What do they do?
If you are going to leave the car for an extended time, disconnect the battery, add some gas stabilizer, and maybe jack the car up so that you don’t get flat spots on the tires.
If you have an anti-theft device or a radio that doesn’t like losing battery power, make sure you follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for how to handle that device.
I run my '78 Olds about twice a year. It has a carborator, of course, so I just pump the gas like crazy and it starts right up. I have started using gas stabilizer over the winter.