I have a 2002 Ford Focus SVT with 70 something k miles on it that has not been driven for over a year. It either has Valvoline synthetic or Pennzoil Ultra in it, not sure which, with a K & N oil filter. I want to start driving the car again. Before changing the oil and filter (which is fairly clean) should I crank it a bit (without starting it) before I actually start it up? Don't want to damage any bearings, rings, valves, etc.
Whats best way to do this?
- Thread starter BGK
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No worries... just start it. It'll take less than a second for oil pressure to build.Charge batt .possibly change fuel and oil filter first,and top up fluids that's it.
Originally Posted By: BGK
I have a 2002 Ford Focus SVT with 70 something k miles on it that has not been driven for over a year. It either has Valvoline synthetic or Pennzoil Ultra in it, not sure which, with a K & N oil filter. I want to start driving the car again. Before changing the oil and filter (which is fairly clean) should I crank it a bit (without starting it) before I actually start it up? Don't want to damage any bearings, rings, valves, etc.
BGK, if this is any consolation to you, I have been storing my '80 Firebird FORMULA V8 for 31 years now and it often doesn't see the first summer start up of ~8 months since the last previous start up in the autumn of the year before.
Now, 8 months isn't one year as in the case of your FOCUS but, I have been doing this start up for along time to say the least and on regular dino motor oil. Before this car, I had others in the 1970's and did the same thing. I keep the battery maintained and wait for a nice warm summer day for that 1st of the year start up, put in the key and let'er rip!
No noises, rattles or anything to speak of. I like to let'er idle for a while before taking her out for the first run, bring her back into the driveway and give her a nice 1st bath for the summer after she cools down a bit. If I am doing something wrong,(as I'm sure others do something completely different and may even argue) then, the car has yet to complain and the car is equiped with the..."less than famous" 301 V8 4bbl.
That's it!
I have a 2002 Ford Focus SVT with 70 something k miles on it that has not been driven for over a year. It either has Valvoline synthetic or Pennzoil Ultra in it, not sure which, with a K & N oil filter. I want to start driving the car again. Before changing the oil and filter (which is fairly clean) should I crank it a bit (without starting it) before I actually start it up? Don't want to damage any bearings, rings, valves, etc.
BGK, if this is any consolation to you, I have been storing my '80 Firebird FORMULA V8 for 31 years now and it often doesn't see the first summer start up of ~8 months since the last previous start up in the autumn of the year before.
Now, 8 months isn't one year as in the case of your FOCUS but, I have been doing this start up for along time to say the least and on regular dino motor oil. Before this car, I had others in the 1970's and did the same thing. I keep the battery maintained and wait for a nice warm summer day for that 1st of the year start up, put in the key and let'er rip!
No noises, rattles or anything to speak of. I like to let'er idle for a while before taking her out for the first run, bring her back into the driveway and give her a nice 1st bath for the summer after she cools down a bit. If I am doing something wrong,(as I'm sure others do something completely different and may even argue) then, the car has yet to complain and the car is equiped with the..."less than famous" 301 V8 4bbl.
That's it!
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Good quality synthetic? Quality filter? Still fairly clean? How many miles are on that oil?
If it's less than two years old, and as clean as you say, I'd just start it up and drive it. A year sitting won't be very hard on that oil, really.
If it's less than two years old, and as clean as you say, I'd just start it up and drive it. A year sitting won't be very hard on that oil, really.
I would not change the oil at this point in time. I would worry more about the gas. Is it E10? Get some Startron blue gas treatment and add a cleaning dose of it in addition to filling the tank up with high test. After your 2nd or 3rd tank of gas, change the fuel filter. In this case you are trying to clean up the gas itself and the tank of varnish (rather than injectors, etc) so Startron is a better choice than Techtron (which is a great POA based cleaner for injectors, valves and cylinders).
Check the air filter and housing for possible mice nests.
Check the air filter and housing for possible mice nests.
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I put a bottle of Stabil in it a while ago. I will add gas and I will change fuel filter.
Wait a bit to change the fuel filter. Its probably now in good shape, but may fill up with crud as you go through gas. But do get one and have it in the car just in case. If you have E10 gas, then the redish Stabil is not the best. The blue Stabil (marine) is better for E10 gas. I think there is now a 3rd Stabil that is for E10 gas, but does not have as many cleaners in it as the blue, thus it costs between the red and blue.
Why crank it?No purpose is served except it will now take much longer to drain. Just let it drain then refill.
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I was worried about engine oil starvation on the upper end since it has been sitting. I will add gas to the tank before starting it; it is essentially empty right now.
I wonder if the use of Sta-Bil or a similar product to help with gas treatment initially is worth-while?
I'd change at least the brake fluid and anti-freeze/coolant drain/rinse/refill eventually within this year; after the oil change, just my opinion.
Everything else should be good, a nice long highway run of 50 miles round-trip wouldn't hurt and would be good for it as well.
I'd change at least the brake fluid and anti-freeze/coolant drain/rinse/refill eventually within this year; after the oil change, just my opinion.
Everything else should be good, a nice long highway run of 50 miles round-trip wouldn't hurt and would be good for it as well.
Amazingly the car started up after about four or five trys. There was tons of moisture in the exhaust until fully warmed up. Everything works normally, including the a/c. Will be changing oil shortly, but it looks fine with just over 3K on it.
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