Hasn't ran in over a year (Help)

What is the proper procedure for getting a car to start/run that hasn't ran in like 1 to 2 years? Should I really drain the gas tank/pour ATF fluid into each cylinder,etc? I plan on at least changing fluids, plugs, battery. The car is a 1991 Civic Si. Ran great when parked. The car has been stored in a nice, attached garage.

Drain the gas and back flush the lines.

Unless it is a rotary engine, I'd avoid ATF. I've heard that putting oil into the chambers through the plug holes and cranking it by hand is the way to get everything lubricated at first, then crank the engine without spark 2nd to get the bad fuel out of the injectors, then add fuel/spark with fresh fuel.

That's what I've heard, wait until somebody who really knows what they are doing to chime in =)

Turn the key and see what happens. The last one I tried had been sitting more than 5 years and fired off with little trouble.

Toyman01 wrote: Turn the key and see what happens. The last one I tried had been sitting more than 5 years and fired off with little trouble.

+1, I always just start it up and it usually ends up running fine after getting some fresher gas through it.

I like a squirt or three from a can of ether or throttle body cleaner down the carb/TB throat and seeing what happens.

So far it sounds easy enough. Just wanted to make sure if there was a correct way. I normally stay away from cars that sit, but its hard to find a one owner, all original EF Si with the original window sticker. I haven't got it yet, but should trailer it home this weekend if the seller doesn't back out.

1-2 years? That's all? Drain the fuel and add fresh, grab some cables and jump start it.

Check the oil and coolant to make sure they didn't turn to slush, then add some fresh gas and fire it up.

A year isn't that big a deal. Fresh gas and start it.

Stored in a garage for a year or two? Turn the key and go drive it.

Go drive it, but get the motor oil changed right away. Cheap insurance.

So tell us about the car man!

Yup, fire it up. Change oil first.

Fresh battery, start it up, let it run until warm. change the oil and filter. Add fresh gas as needed. Oh, don't forget to check the tire pressures.

In reply to Fletch1:

While I agree with pretty much everything said here, and I don't personally think a year is much, I would at least check the oil to make sure water hasn't condensed in the crankcase and that you actually have oil.
Other than that, I'd fire it up! If you want to do more, squirt a little oil in each cylinder through the spark plug hole before you fire it up, and maybe crank it over with the FI disabled to get some oil movig in the engine. But really, I'm not sure any of that is actually necessary, just playing it safe.

Thanks for all the help. Its actually closer to 2 years if that makes any difference. I'll just do some basic stuff to get it going then change some of the fluids. The owner said it had new brakes. Will those be good still? I'm sure they are seized up some. Also, the tires looked new, but after sitting for 2 years, they probably can't be used?

In reply to bravenrace:

Thanks for the advice. I'll tell you more about it when its in my garage. I don't want to get excited and something happen and I don't get it.

I'd pull the wheels and get a good look at the pads. My '91 Tracker has been sitting for about 2 years also. I can see the pads look like they're crumbling. I'll be changing those for sure, possibly the rotors as well if needed.

In reply to Klayfish:

Yeah, I'm sure I'll be replacing alot of stuff. Gonna be alot of fun.

You motherberkeleying piece of E36 M3.

No one should be able to buy a clean EF without having to trudge through the eighth ring of hell... H-T.

In reply to J308:

You have no idea how long this has been. It does have some rust, so I didn't get the cleanest one. It's not in my garage yet so I can't say I got it. Plans are to pick it up tomorrow.

I've got parts.

In reply to bravenrace:

Send me an e-mail with what you have please. THe doors do have some rust. I might be on the look out for some that's already the stock red color. I found one for my Crx when I had it. It took 4 months, but I got it.

The car is now in my garage I checked the coolant and it tested very good and looked decent. I added some to the reservoir. The air filter looked like new. I didn't have trouble getting the rims off. The brakes/rotors looked good at a quick glance except for some surface rust. And finally, I drained the old gas. That was easy, but I managed to spill a little bit. Just got out of the shower trying to get the smell off. I'm off to the auto parts store in the morning to get some stuff. Hopefully it starts and runs good. Oh, and yes, the original owner still had the window sticker in the glovebox. It does have some rust that needs tended to though. Boooo.