A Miata that's been sitting "for a couple of years"

I'm considering a NA Miata that's been sitting for a while... What do I need to worry about?

I've heard people talk about bad gas, etc., I'm just not certain what I might be getting myself into... stuff could be seized up in the engine itself, right?

Also, how involved is dropping a fuel tank? Or is that even needed if I've got "bad gas." And if the gas is bad, what all else am I gonna have to replace/check? Fuel pump, lines, injectors?

And in general, what else would you replace for a prospective track car... belts and hoses? Hubs?

There is a drain in the bottom of the tank.

I would just put some fresh gas in and see if it will start.

Change the oil and the fuel filter after you get it running.

Because Exocar.

Nothing. We started a friends old SSB miata that was sitting for years and took it right to the track with nothing but a fluids change.

Flush the brake lines, and the clutch line while you are at it.

1.6 or 1.8?

I have to say with my experience with two separate engines. I wouldn't pick up another 1.6 car, unless I already had the budget to put in a VVT engine.

LainfordExpress wrote: I'm considering a NA Miata that's been sitting for a while... What do I need to worry about? I've heard people talk about bad gas, etc., I'm just not certain what I might be getting myself into... stuff could be seized up in the engine itself, right? Also, how involved is dropping a fuel tank? Or is that even needed if I've got "bad gas." And if the gas is bad, what all else am I gonna have to replace/check? Fuel pump, lines, injectors? And in general, what else would you replace for a prospective track car... belts and hoses? Hubs?

If its going to be a track car, you should probably start researching roll bars as well. A lot of sanctioning bodies won't let you run without one.

Car already has a Spec Miata cage in it.

Don't be surprised if it needs a set of clean injectors.

I bought a Miata that had sat unstarted for a least 5 years recently. I sat in place for 8. I installed a fresh battery, fresh gas ,and removed the plugs for a few test spins via the starter. After that I reinstalled the plugs and hit the key. It started immediately. I hope you have as much luck.

Keith Tanner wrote: Don't be surprised if it needs a set of clean injectors.

Agreed. Even decent looking ones can be quite out of spec after they sat for a while, especially if the car has any miles on them.

Not that I would currently have a set of freshly cleaned NB injectors for sale, oh noes.

We have one at work that had been sitting for a number of years. Needed a fuel pump after trying to be started with bad gas. Replaced fuel pump then the new one went bad from the bad gas. Fresh gas and another fuel pump and last I saw it was running.

The owners still havent picked it up though.. Its a 1990 loaded with hard top and everything with and only 16K miles too

ouchx100 wrote: We have one at work that had been sitting for a number of years. Needed a fuel pump after trying to be started with bad gas. Replaced fuel pump then the new one went bad from the bad gas. Fresh gas and another fuel pump and last I saw it was running. The owners still havent picked it up though.. Its a 1990 loaded with hard top and everything with and only 16K miles too

Mechanic's lien then sell! Remember who your friends are.

If you don't get it I may be interested...

Ad was posted last Monday, I saw it Tuesday and emailed the seller Wednesday. He replied Thursday, and I emailed him back Friday saying we had a deal pending working out transportation.

He email Monday saying he sold it locally. Damn.

Mine had been sitting for almost 2 years. Pulled plugs and fogged cylinders with wd-40 just in case any rust had gone on in the cylinders. Luckily, my car has less than 1/8 tank of gas at the time. Put in a new battery and 5 gallons of new gas. I believe I disconnected the cam angle sensor and turned the car over a few times to prime the oil pump and clear/clean the cylinders.

Car started on the first kick. A little smoke and lifter tick. Let it warm up a few minutes and drove around the neighborhood like a champion. I can't believe how resilient Miatas are. I remember my DSM's. If I let them sit a month something would ALWAYS be wrong with them after they started back up.

In reply to LainfordExpress:

Whoops. Missed this. Sorry.

Unfortunately with great deal Miatas, you better have cash in hand ready to sprint to the buyer's house to purchase. These cars move fast. I had 4 people coming in one weekend to look at my car. I sold it to the first guy who came that weekend. Had to tell the others sorry it's gone.

And it was quite a deal, IMHO. Here's the ad; now that it's already sold, I don't have to fear one of you degenerates sniping it out from under me... unless... bastards!

http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/aft/444836

Well... http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/89-roadster-projects/129314-just-picked-up-miata-9-track-rat-weekend.html

That sure looks like it. Seller said it was a response from an earlier ad he posted.

The car was in Illinois and I'm in Columbus, Ohio, so distance to seller was always going to be a concern.