Expert: Sean Halliday - 5/27/2006

Question
My Nissan 300ZX had front-end problems I could not afford to repair at the time.  I then moved out of state for a new job and it has sat undriven for 4 years now.  I have verified that it still runs and am ready to have the front-end repaired.  Realizing that there are things I should have done to prepare it for sitting so long, can you tell me what kinds of problems I can expect, lookout for or things I should definately do, replace, flush, etc... upon retrieving my car from it's current location?

I have noticed that something has gotten under the hood and eaten the insulation attached to the underside of the hood.  My tires appear to be dry-rotted (cracked but still apparently holding air).  But I recently replaced the battery (@ XMAS) and it started perfectly and sounds great.

Thank you for any knowledge/experiance you may be able to share.
Dan

Answer
lucky it still runs because the gas usually goes bad,as far as flushing,well basically you will have to flush every fluid.brakes,coolant,steering,transmission,engine oil,change all filters,check all rubber and i mean all ,,anything rubber will have to be inspected,motor mounts,vacuum hoses,coolant hoses......wiring,,,etc,,,,,if your tires are cracked get a new set,,,also what are the shocks like are they still working?..i am thinking that rats got under your hood i have seen em eat thru a wire loom on some cars if they have been parked for a long time so get that checked out its a fire hazard if it short circuits.other that that you will just have to drive it and see and i wouldnt go racing at 100 mph,,drive it carefully and you will still have to get the front end done..wd40 oil spray any moving parts under the hood like linkages and really any moving parts latches,,,cables,,locks etc etc,,,,,,