Oil suggestion for restarting a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L that has been idle for 2 yr?

[Gar]

So the car has been sitting for 2 yrs. I was intending to put a little pb blaster in each cylinder via the spark plug tap, in case there was corrosion freezing the rings to the wall, or should I be using something like Liqui Moly so the cylinder walls have some lubricity the first time I turn it over? If not those what would you use?

How much should I add, 10 ml?

There isn't a direct sight line to the back row of cylinders, so what type of contraption should I be using to get the oil in those three and get it dispersed around the cylinder? Suggestions or links to oilers would be welcome.

 

[nwjones18]

2 years isn’t that long. I’d just crank it up as normal.

 

[RAR]

Can you put a socket and breaker bar on the crank? I’d pull the plugs and see if it turns over manually. Then spin it for a second using the starter, with the fuel pump fuse pulled.

Drain the oil and throw in synthetic Walmart Supertech in the appropriate weight. Use the same oil filter or one of your choice. I’d change it at 3000 miles just to be sure.

Is my recommended method for any reason? Yes, to ease your mind and know that you took an extra level of caution restarting the van.

Otherwise I’d just start it like @nwjones18 suggested and change the oil and filter once warm.

 

[eljefino]

Don't ever drain oil on a car that's been sitting, you can lose prime to the oil pump. The van was not parked with oil so terrible it doesn't have ten minutes of starting and idling left on it.

If you feel like you must do something through the spark plug holes, a couple teaspoons of regular motor oil will do fine. Cars that have been sitting for decades sometimes need this to get some more ring seal and ergo compression.

A flexy transmission funnel or regular funnel with hose attached should get oil to the rear bank. It's messy! Or you can just do the front bank and call it good.

You're better off investing efforts into making sure squirrels didn't put acorns in the air cleaner.

 

[Number_35]

As the owner of a 2007 DGC with the related 3.3, I am well aware of accessing the hidden rear plugs by feel only.

As far as injecting a magic elixir into the cylinders, you could remove the plugs (one at a time if you're worried about getting the wires mixed up), attach a short length of vacuum hose to a syringe, and push the end of the hose into the spark plug hole by feel.

 

[repairman54]

I'd worry more about 2 yr. old gas.

 

[cptbarkey]

2 years isnt enough to bother. Fire it up.

 

[JavierH19]

2 years is too little to worry.

 

[gfh77665]

I'd worry more about 2 yr. old gas.

This, 100%.

 

[gfh77665]

Fire it up. Check all 4 tires PSI. Top it off with high octane fuel, adding Techron or equilivent. Then get out on the highway and do Italian tuneup. Run tank until almost empty, refill with fresh fuel. THEN, change oil if you want to.

 

[hemitom]

Fresh fuel good battery cross your fingers and twist.

 

[wpod]

I would question why would oil choice make a difference

 

[JMJNet]

My suggestion is "Oil" as the best oil for a car that has not been started for 2 years.

 

[Gar]

Thank you all. Guess I am a worry-wart.