Tips for starting a car that's been sitting

[vaboom123]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a used Audi A4 from a buddy of mine (1996 2.8 quattro w/ a 5speed). The car has been sitting for the last few months with a leaking water pump. He gave up on it because he's not mechanically inclined, and doesn't want to deal with the repair costs. On these motors the water pump is ran off the timing belt and the front carrier has to be removed to do the job. I'll be picking the car up super cheap and do the work myself. I'm just making a checklist for things to look over.

-Timing belt replacement
-Tune up (plugs/wires and fuel fliter
-Coolant flush
-Flush brake system and check all calipers/slides
-Replace transmission and gear oil
-Check battery

The car will put on the trailer to get it home. I just need to get it started and on it. Any advice would be great!

 

[JHZR2]

Those things are probably all smart to do (plus oil change).

Id assume that the battery is flat, and Id not want to go attempt to start it without having a fresh battery. Id just go buy one. If the old one is good, keep it as a spare or just trade it in (or return the new one!), but Id want the old battery to be charged properly on a real charger before using it to start. Even then it may be no good.

 

[vaboom123]

Good thinking on the battery. I was pricing them out before and thinking it would be best to just replace it. I have a bunch of GC sitting around, so I'll probably throw that in the sump.

 

[mac5150]

your brave that would be a car i would be afraid of. theyre expensive cars. if you can afford it and want it go for it. but make sure your pocket book complies with the necessary cost. besides that new batt and fluids check tires and give everything a good once over. new tune up and filters is also a good idea

 

[vaboom123]

Originally Posted By: mac5150
your brave that would be a car i would be afraid of. theyre expensive cars. if you can afford it and want it go for it. but make sure your pocket book complies with the necessary cost. besides that new batt and fluids check tires and give everything a good once over. new tune up and filters is also a good idea


Haha, you are correct an old German car can get expensive esp. with the suspension they have on the awd ones. I'm getting the car super cheap and using it as a winter beater. By no means it has to be perfect. As long as it has heat and get's through the snow I'm set. It would be smart to look at a nice Subaru or Jeep, but I can't say no for the price I'm getting the car for.

 

[fordman65]

Since it is a 5 speed. Check the clutch play in it. The Audi's do have a decent 5 speed, but check the play just to be safe.

 

[Rand]

consider getting a AAP silver series battery

its made by JC and you can use a coupon code to make it a good buy

ie battery is 100$ = 70$ + tax

 

[vaboom123]

I also have a coupon code for $50 off a $100 purchase or more for AAP. Maybe I'll go that route.

 

[JHZR2]

Only the awd scares me. If it has manual climate control, no nav, and no special screens or electric gadgets, it's no worse than a Honda.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Before firing it, I would pull the fuel pump fuse and crank it over a dozen times or so...can't hurt to pump some oil to the cams.

I would NOT replace the battery unless and until I knew I needed to.

I WOULD make sure (BEFORE starting it!) that there were no mice in the air filter! I suspect German engines do not like inhaling mouse nests.

 

[mechtech2]

Get new pulleys/tensioners with the new belt.
Really.
Turkey baster flush the power steering.
Clean the MAF [spray MAF cleaner].
Clean all battery cables and their ends. That's BOTH ends and where they seat. Not glamorous, but fixes all sorts of things.

 

[vaboom123]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Get new pulleys/tensioners with the new belt.
Really.
Turkey baster flush the power steering.
Clean the MAF [spray MAF cleaner].
Clean all battery cables and their ends. That's BOTH ends and where they seat. Not glamorous, but fixes all sorts of things.


I was at Napa today looking at the Pentosin products. That's another thing on the list to flush the pwr. steering fluid. I believe my buddy said it makes a little noise, so I'm sure it's due for a good flush. Hopefully the pump won't be toast haha. I'll make sure all the grounds are clean and have good contacts also. It's amazing what some goofy grounds can make a car do.

Thanks again for all the tips guys...keep 'em coming!

 

[vaboom123]

Also I will be purchasing a full t-belt kit Mechtech. I my opinion it's not worth it going through all of that and having a pulley or tensioner fail. I believe the kit also comes with a new serpentine belt and cam/crank seals.

 

[The_Jeff]

Check for mouse nests and start 'er up. You know the brakes won't be very good (from rust) but it'll work out when you start driving it.

I'd save stuff like the new battery for when you've got it running. For now, jump it or charge it.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: mac5150
your brave that would be a car i would be afraid of. theyre expensive cars. if you can afford it and want it go for it. but make sure your pocket book complies with the necessary cost. besides that new batt and fluids check tires and give everything a good once over. new tune up and filters is also a good idea


Yeah no kidding, I'm trying to sell my 04' Audi A4 Quattro right now, and most the of the buyers are weary because of expensive repairs. No one wants the [censored] thing. I may just keep it around as a winter beater.

 

[vaboom123]

Yea, I heard you on what a disaster maintenance costs can be when Hans and Fritz work on the car. I do all my own work and have a vagcom program for my laptop with specialty tools for German cars. It's not really that expensive compared to other brands when you do your own work, but going to the dealer is another story.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: vaboom123
I was at Napa today looking at the Pentosin products. That's another thing on the list to flush the pwr. steering fluid.


Good show on checking for the correct fluid. If the pump is anything like the one in my Audi 200 Turbo, seal replacement kits are ridiculously cheap and it's a very easy job with hand tools (you may have to modify a drag link socket with a grinder; that's a weird German thing and right in the Bentley manual, believe it or not).

As for naysayers and German cars being expensive, that's both true and false. With a bit of checking, you can easily find OEM parts for extremely attractive prices. Even here in Canada, I got Mann filters for under $5 and OEM plugs for roughly $2 a piece, and Bosch cap and rotor under $20. Just do some checking at some Audi specific sites and they'll be able to guide you to OEM parts priced cheaper than aftermarket. I got my headlight assemblies, OEM, from NY for less than half of what the dealer wanted.

The OEM water pump will be very cheap, from a parts perspective. From a labour perspective, have fun.

 

[vaboom123]

I did a little research and found out they are pretty picky with using the correct steering fluid. They have enough issues with leaking pwr. steering fluid I don't need to run into more issues haha.

 

[morris]

some MMO down the intake before you fire it.