Just Don't...Start

Ahh the lure of the barn find; when you discover that hidden gem you dream of sweet vindication. Your wife will take back all the doubtful comments about you “wasting” time scouring the internet for rusty junk. Your friends will petition city council for a long-overdue statue in your honor. The car related internet will firmly ensconce you in the annals of living legend. 

Well, probably not. It seems the admirers of neglected Hillman Imps are few even among car guys. Like bringing home a stray puppy that’s already soiling the new carpet even before you get, “Can we keep it?” out of your mouth. The obscure barn find finds few friends.

 

Figure 1: 1963 Hillman Imp, the car Mr. Incredible wanted to body-slam. Image from the National Motor Museum Trust

Your excitement is understandable though, suddenly the car you’ve always wanted emerges, dust covered, from its long nap as a storage shelf and mouse house. You already picture it shiny and running better then even the factory ever dreamed. But before you hook up a battery and turn a key, take a breath and do things slowly.  

Many owners will tell you that it was Dad’s car and even after he put it away, he started it, once a week like clockwork…right up until his passing in 1995. 

Despite the many YouTube videos of cars firing right up after decades of slumber it's really not a good idea. If the engine isn’t seized the fuel system is likely clogged or rotted and the contents of the fuel tank is a mixture of stagnant water and varnish.   
  

Are You Having a Seizure? 
  

When you look at any long-neglected car bring a half-inch ratchet, or a breaker bar, and some sockets big enough to fit over the crank bolt. Don’t just turn the car over dry, however. I like to put a couple of tablespoons or so of Marvel Mystery Oil or automatic transmission fluid down the spark plus holes. The amount varies based on the displacement of the engine and how long it’s been sitting. Some folks use regular motor oil, which is fine, but those other products have a strong detergent that may help penetrate the crud better than plain motor oil.  

Let the fluid sit for 10 minutes or so. While you wait, have a look at the spark plugs. Check for fouling or rust and clean if necessary. 

 

Figure 2: Ah, just fire it up. What’s the worst that could happen? 

Also remove the air cleaner and look at the carburetor. Does the throttle linkage move freely, is there any rust in the throats? If the car is fuel injected, pull the return line for the fuel rail, is it clogged with what looks like Satan’s ear wax (or ethanol, same thing)?  

Pull the dipstick while you’re there too and see if it has any of the oily stuff still there. I dropped the oil plug on an old motorcycle once and the oil was turning back into a dinosaur. It was clear, ran like water, and smelled like kerosene.   

Now, the moment of truth, take your wrench and try to turn the engine with all the spark plugs out. Does it move? Do you hear any puffs of air (good) or horrifying scaping sounds (bad)? 

If the motor spins freely, you may try putting the plugs back in and starting the car. I’d by-pass the car’s fuel system, if possible, and bring a can of fresh gas to use in place of the car’s gas tank. Keep in mind if you do start the car the Mystery oil or auto trans fluid will cause the car to smoke like the special effects from a Vegas magical act. 

I think if any car has been sitting for longer than four or five years you should just figure in the cost of a new gas tank, fuel pump, filter, pressure regulator, fuel injectors, and lines.  

Several years ago, I bought a low-mileage1991 Mercury Capri XR2 on an impulse. Don’t judge, I happen to like unlovable cars. I drove the car for about three months and then put it away fully intending to get it back out in the spring. Five springs later, the car still sat as parked, Ok, you can judge now. I had purchased three Miata’s in the interval and the poor Capri was forgotten like a drunken tattoo.  

When my daughter was about to turn 16, I suddenly remembered the Capri. I told my kiddo she could have the car if she helped me get it out of storage. She and I did the timing belt, water pump, oil change, plugs, fuel lines, gas tank and fuel filter, in addition to barrels of fuel system cleaner before it would run right. In just five years, this rust-free car’s fuel system was completely fouled with bourbon-colored syrup. Before you despair, I’m happy to report that daughter and Capri are now in college together having so-far enjoyed four years of happy motoring.  

 

Figure 3: The Capri, rehabilitated back into productive society. 

Obviously, this isn’t a complete list, there is the ignition system to inspect from the plug wires, to the coil, distributor, points, and condenser before you bring the beast back from the brink.  

I just wanted to help you keep your wits about you before you twist a key on a car, that the seller swears on a copy of Hot Rod Magazine Number One, ran perfectly when parked just a year or two ago…or three…no more than ten at the outside.