Starting A Car That Hasn't Been Started In A Year

[Stoph]

Hey everyone! I'm new. I just got my grandfather's BMW, which hasn't been driven or even started in over a year. This is more of a general car question, I think.

I am wondering what I should do once I get it started. Will there be a problem with the car because it hasn't been driven in so long? Should I take it into a mechanic shop?

Thanks for your help, I hope my question isn't too stupid.

Edit: the car was in good condition before it stopped being used

[zlac109]

Originally posted by Stoph@May 11 2005, 06:14 PM
Hey everyone! I'm new. I just got my grandfather's BMW, which hasn't been driven or even started in over a year. This is more of a general car question, I think.

I am wondering what I should do once I get it started. Will there be a problem with the car because it hasn't been driven in so long? Should I take it into a mechanic shop?

Thanks for your help, I hope my question isn't too stupid.

Edit: the car was in good condition before it stopped being used

[snapback]343477[/snapback]

Hey man,

First of all congratulations on the new car, you're gonna have fun.

Concerning the start:

1: check all the fluid levels, i mean everything
would not be a bad idea to actually change the oil very very soon. It degrades with time as well as use

2: do not move immedialy, let it warm up.

3: after it is warm, i mean the temp indicator is in the middle, pop the hood and see if anything is leekign.

However, this last one is just me being paranoyed. Have fun and go easy on the revs and the acceleration for the firs 100 miles or so

[e36surge]

Has the fuel in the tank been there for a long time? Before starting the engine add some gas and even some fuel stabalizer, if you haven't already started her. As mentioned above all fluids and go the extra mile and check the spark plugs. An oil change will be a necessity and don't forget to check the brakes. Vehicles sitting indoors or out for long periods of time will have corrosion on the discs. It's not because you will have to change the brakes but be careful with the first few stops. You may also want to check tire balance and air pressure seeing it's been seated for so long.

I'm in a similar situation and I went as far as bleeding the brakes and flushing the radiator.

Like ZLAC109 says, take it easy for the first few miles... Good Luck

[zlac109]

one more thing also,

in case the battery has been left connected it is definitely dead by now. make sure to have a starter kit with you as you take it out coz it might be that it just does not recharge anymore.

[RallyE36]

I have heard with other cars you should remove each spark plug and put a few drops of oil in each cylinder. This will of course burn off eventually, but most importantly it will give a very quick coating to the cylinder walls which are very prone to wearing out, especially if the engine hasn't run for a long time.

Just to be sure, phone the service department of your BMW dealer and see if they would recommend this or any other procedure.

A few years ago my sister stored her Corolla at my place for 14 months and when she went to start it the engine squealed and scrapped quite loudly. Afterward her mechanic said that were the piston rings scrapping against the dry cylinder walls, and the engine probably used about 15,000 miles of wear just from that start.

Good luck.

[aheath]

Condition your leather seats ASAP!!!!

My seats went to shit so fast......

[Stoph]

Thanks so much for the info

[triggrhaapi]

Originally posted by Stoph@May 11 2005, 05:14 PM
Hey everyone! I'm new. I just got my grandfather's BMW, which hasn't been driven or even started in over a year. This is more of a general car question, I think.

I am wondering what I should do once I get it started. Will there be a problem with the car because it hasn't been driven in so long? Should I take it into a mechanic shop?

Thanks for your help, I hope my question isn't too stupid.

Edit: the car was in good condition before it stopped being used

[snapback]343477[/snapback]

siphon all fuel out of the car and add a gallon of fresh fuel. Trust me, it can go stagnant in your gas tank and wreak havoc on your injectors.