Engine Sitting for 10 Years...Tips for 1st Start?

A

AdmiralYoda

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Jan 23, 2013
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744
Location
MA
Grandfather/Father/Son project. Got a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab for free from a family friend. 10 years ago it had the frame replaced and rear leaf springs replaced under recall but the clutch went out shortly after. They put it on jack stands and took the transmission out but didn't finish the job. They are happy for us to take it away.

4.0L 1GRFE w/250k miles. Hasn't been started in about 10 years. We'll be going through every maintenance item, change the oil, drain the gas, etc. but I'm a bit concerned about the 1st startup.

Spray some oil in the cylinders and let it sit for a bit to lube up the rings? What would be best? Motor oil, penetrating oil, fogging oil???

Any tips on starting a vehicle that has sat for a long time? Thanks! :cool:
 
Make sure there's no rats nest in the air intake.

I like the pull plugs, add oil idea. The first click of the starter will be a substantial load and removing compression will help things. I'd see about putting a breaker bar on the crank pulley before that, see if the engine's loose.

Don't change the oil, you can lose the oil pump prime. Just make sure there's enough in it. You'll have the opportunity to change it after its first start.

You're spot on about draining the gas. If you want to hear it run a little starter fluid will do the trick, and improve morale for the grandkid.
 
All, thanks for the comments! The truck is in Taxachusetts so warm/hot humid summers and cold winters.

My father, a retired mechanic of 50+ years who owned his own shop for decades is of the "make sure there is oil in it, drain the gas...fire it up" camp. And some of you are right....maybe I've been watching too many shows on Motortrend! :D

I grew up in his shop and know how to turn a wrench...my son wants to learn and at 14 years old this will be his first car. Will be a fun project!
 
The first thing I thought of was turning the engine by hand to see if it has seized.
No need to bang a starter gear into a stiff TC/flywheel ring gear.
Oil in each cylinder appeals to me too.
Best of luck with it.

Maybe make a concise video? Still photos showing highlights would be good enough....maybe preferable?
 
OX1 said:
I'd go further. Pull plugs, oil down cyl's for a day, then turn over by hand once or twice.
(all that highly dependant on climate/storage location, etc...)...
Click to expand...
This.

Pull the plugs, squirt in a bit of oil and bar the engine over several times with the plugs out to verify there's no hydro-lock or such.

Then reinstall the plugs and let it sit overnight. The oil will seep down and you won't have a ton of smoke at startup.

I'd make the first oil change after a long sit a pretty short OCI. Perhaps some HPL Engine cleaner or some Valvoline Restore and Protect is a good idea.
 
Drain the old "fuel" & replace with fresh
remove spark plugs and spray in something like Kroil and let it sit
then follow that up with fogging oil for lubrication
after a few days try to spin it over by hand carefully
if possible, I'd remove the OHC cam cover and look at the timing belt to make sure it's not dry rotted, if so that needs to be replaced right away. I don't know for sure if those are interference engines or not.
after you get it running figure on replacing all the fluids don't overlook the antifreeze either, it can turn acidic and cause a lot of corrosion
 
I'm no pro but what I have done on a old Harley that sat. The gas had been stored with Sta-bil but I drained the gas and started with fresh gas as the gas look cloudy and sat longer than Sta-bil suggest it will keep gas fresh. I took the spark plugs out, hit the plugs with a soft wire brush while out, sprayed Fogging Oil, or whatever I had that was a spray oil in the plug holes let it sit a bit then turned the engine over with the starter with the plugs out 10 -20 seconds to build oil pressure, replaced plugs, a quick puff of starting fluid and she fired right up.
Did 20+ miles to get the old oil hot, drained, refilled with fresh fluid and that Classic was back on the road.
 
Sounds like a fun project. I'd plan on doing all of the fluids if you determine shes a runner.

Don't forget to pick up an air freshener to overpower the mildew smell. :)
 
^^True, but there may be a mouse hole in the filter element and nut shells all over the place. If started without inspection, you could easily send a large dose of shells into your cylinders.

Also, in the event something has damaged the wiring, it is possible to turn the key and see a failed wire buzz or burn.
While it's a remote possibility, be ready for a small fire.
At the very least, bring a friend to watch the engine bay when you turn the key.
This happened to me once and the occasion was simply a frigid morning.
'Twas my 1972 Toyota Corolla de Luxe it was.
 
Last edited:
Squirting oil in the cylinders? Sure if its not a catalytic converter car, or if it is, you plan on disconnecting the exhaust from the engine, for the initial start.
I'd be more concerned about rust build up.
Most always though its just a thing of having good fuel and hitting the starter.
 
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