Expert: Brad Sears - 12/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a 78 dodge colt that has been sitting out in the weather for about 5 years, not prepared for storage. Before I start it I wondered what I should do to protect the engine from damage. Thanks JohnE

ANSWER: What part of the country are you in? It makes a bit of a difference as to what I do to get ready to fire it off.
Let me know.
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Should of thought of that, Bay area, San Francisco. JohnE

Answer
We just came through the San Francisco area two weeks ago in our motor home. Enjoyed our visit and your great seafood. Well we should not have to worry about damage from freezing so that eliminates a whole bunch of steps along the way. I would remove the spark plugs and get a couple of tablespoon fulls of engine oil in each cylinder. Then get a wrench on the big nut on the engine drive pulley and turn the engine over a half a dozen times to lubricate the cylinder walls. The oil will also restore the compression in the engine. Next get the electrical system functioning with a known good and charged battery. Try the starter, without the plugs in, at the same time checking for spark from the ignition. No spark service the ignition system. If the engine turns then replace the plugs and change the engine oil and oil filter and hook up an external fuel source. Make sure that you disable the fuel pump so that you do not splatter fuel all over the place from the disconnected line. I usually make a starting aid out of a Bernz o matic torch. I remover the small metering valve from the head of the torch and the while some one is cranking the engine hold the unlit torch right over the carb intake and turn on the valve. This fuel source will start the engine quickly and is a better alternative and safer than starting fluid or priming the engine. Now the moment of truth. Either Brrrrmmmm, or no  Brrrrmmmm. If no it is diagnostic time. Once the engine runs shut it right off and service the cooling system.
Brad