Tips on bringing a car out of decade long disuse?
Discussion
Never had to do this but i'd have thought something like this would be needed.
1. Full fluid, filters + lube service including gearbox and diff oils, coolant and brake fluid. Fresh petrol and an injector cleaner.
2. New tyres, discs and pads. Plus any other mechanical bits that want doing (brake pipes, check brake caliper function.
3. Fresh battery and start it up, let everything get upto temp and do a visual check for leaks, remedy as necessary.
4. If everything checks out, go for a road test, no doubt you'll need trade plates, insurance or private ground to do so.
Can't really help with the cleaning but if you cann get the lend of a proper hot wash/vac valet machine that'd go a long way to shifting interior grime. The usual clay bar, orbital polisher treatment etc is probably the route for getting the outside into shape
I guess the MOT would follow after that
Keep us all posted!
1. Full fluid, filters + lube service including gearbox and diff oils, coolant and brake fluid. Fresh petrol and an injector cleaner.
2. New tyres, discs and pads. Plus any other mechanical bits that want doing (brake pipes, check brake caliper function.
3. Fresh battery and start it up, let everything get upto temp and do a visual check for leaks, remedy as necessary.
4. If everything checks out, go for a road test, no doubt you'll need trade plates, insurance or private ground to do so.
Can't really help with the cleaning but if you cann get the lend of a proper hot wash/vac valet machine that'd go a long way to shifting interior grime. The usual clay bar, orbital polisher treatment etc is probably the route for getting the outside into shape
I guess the MOT would follow after that
Keep us all posted!
Does the engine turn freely on the crank ? If so then remove the spark plugs before turning the engine using the starter, to allow some lubricant to get around before you try and start the engine.
I'd imagine the brake callipers and discs are done in, all rubber could need replacing; window rubbers, coolant pipes etc.
I'd imagine the brake callipers and discs are done in, all rubber could need replacing; window rubbers, coolant pipes etc.
Edited by Strawman on Thursday 29th July 20:37
I'm currently sorting out a Porsche 944 that hadn't been used for roughly 8 years. It needed new fluids (oil in particular as it was contaminated with fuel), new brake pipes and flexis, new metal fuel pipes, brake calipers needed an overhaul and the timing belts needed doing.
I'm still working on it but that's partly because the car was a bit of a mess before it got parked up so there are various other bits that need doing. You'd be surprised how much better the paint can look after a good clean.
Good luck with it.
I'm still working on it but that's partly because the car was a bit of a mess before it got parked up so there are various other bits that need doing. You'd be surprised how much better the paint can look after a good clean.
Good luck with it.
When I worked at Vw Audi (many years ago) a lady called up to get a box shape coupe in from exactly this sort of treatment.
Eneded up with all fluids changed, 5 new tyres,, new exhaust,new calipers on the rear and un-seize on the front, discs, pads, battery and a trip to the valeting bay.
It cost her a LOT of money, but it was sentimental value so she paid- we even gave her quite a bit of discount!!
Anyway good luck with yours,
p.s. You'll need someone to fit you a new rear screen as that plastic one is f
ked and will let the car down badly when you have polished up the rest of it + it may crack the first time you drop the roof!
Eneded up with all fluids changed, 5 new tyres,, new exhaust,new calipers on the rear and un-seize on the front, discs, pads, battery and a trip to the valeting bay.
It cost her a LOT of money, but it was sentimental value so she paid- we even gave her quite a bit of discount!!
Anyway good luck with yours,
p.s. You'll need someone to fit you a new rear screen as that plastic one is f
ked and will let the car down badly when you have polished up the rest of it + it may crack the first time you drop the roof!sidgolf said:
going by the state of the wood on the centre console and the mould in the drivers footwell,i'd have all the carpets out pronto to check the floor for rot.
It may be a rotten pear underneath , have you had a goo poke around , i would replace all fluids , check all rubber hoses , replace tyres , rebuild calipers , replace discs and pads, drain fuel and refill with fresh .
strip that interior 1st though
I like the Merc! There is something very noble about saving an old car. Can't help with the 'after' advice but I've just bought this, its been sitting outside for a couple of years with the engine in the boot. I should get it home next week so I can start the cleanup -
Edited by bertelli_1 on Thursday 29th July 22:23
I'd honestly be amazed if that car drives with just a major service and all fluids changed. Things will start to add up when you need a complete service, discs and pads all round, new brake lines, 4 new tyres, a new rear screen, cambelt change, probably lots of other stuff under the bonnet and fixing any rust underneath (possibly major). Thats probably just scratching the surface of what could be wrong with it. I'd fully expect to pay thousands (lots of) to get that in good condition unless you are doing all the work yourself. Good luck with it though.
As well as replacing all the tyres, checking over the brakes etc. I'd see if you can turn the engine over on the crank pulley (easier with the plugs out!).
If it ain't seized up, I'd change the oil and filter, spin it on the starter with the ignition disabled to build up oil pressure, the run it for say 50 miles and then change the filter and oil again (personally I'd do this a couple of times with cheap oil before putting some decent stuff in)... to be honest, unless you change all the hoses, plugs, ignition components, radiator (maybe), water and fuel pumps your gonna have no end of problems.
Good luck! You may need it... Oh, and don't forget some fresh petrol!
If it ain't seized up, I'd change the oil and filter, spin it on the starter with the ignition disabled to build up oil pressure, the run it for say 50 miles and then change the filter and oil again (personally I'd do this a couple of times with cheap oil before putting some decent stuff in)... to be honest, unless you change all the hoses, plugs, ignition components, radiator (maybe), water and fuel pumps your gonna have no end of problems.
Good luck! You may need it... Oh, and don't forget some fresh petrol!
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