buying a a car that has sat for years

[Ryan Wofford]

I’m possibly buying a 2000 camero for a friend from a friend. it has sat for about a year and a half and i will be the one fixing it if bought, what would be a few things to check for, i can fix most of the things on the car but I don’t want to spend weeks overviewing the entire car. i just want to get it running and driving for him. I basically want to know if there is anything in particular that might give me issues besides fuel.
Thanks guys!

Topic

[Rich Southerland]

Fuel is going to be the biggest issue other than possibly brakes locked up from sitting (depending on your location) and any related to why the car has sat for a year and a half…

Personally, I’d make sure the fluids are topped off, throw a fresh battery in it and hit the key and see what happens. If it starts up and sounds okay then I’d start with basic maintenance of changing those fluids…

[Lorrin Barth]

Since the engine lives in the gloove box on these cars, if it needs any major engine work, the front of the car has to be raised very high and then using a giant engine hoist, the K member and engine come out the bottom. Everything else is typical GM but this prospect would bother me.

[Scott]

I would drain the gas and replace with new stuff and or add a very strong fuel additive to the existing fuel. Doesnt hurt to add it to the new fuel as well.

Check for brake lock up, stuck calipers and e-brakes

Charge the battery or replace depending on it’s age,

Check all fluids and top off as needed. I personally would change the oil before running it as well but if its topped off and not complete sludge you can do it later after you make sure it runs.

And just check all your belts and hoses for cracking or breaks, and replace as needed.

Also check inside your cabin air filter area and air filter box for mice or other small animals who like to take up shelter in hidden places on the car. If you do notice that there had been some unwanted guests just peek around for any chewed through wires as these could cause a fire.

And lastly check your tires for severe dry rot/weather cracking. before you drive it check for proper tire pressure. You may find depending on the surface it was sitting on you may have some flat spots in the wheels or tires.

Thats about all I would check first and once you clear all those bases then once you drive it around you may find other things beyond the “i’ve been sitting around for 1.5 years creeks and squeeks”

[Ryan Wofford]

Supposedly the camero ran and drove when it was parked, I trust my friend on this, I think it just got impractical because their family outgrew the 2 seater car. I hope that is so at least

[James O’Hara]

If you do this I would treat the engine as not running/siezed. I would drain all the oil out. Pull the spark plugs put a tsp oil on them. Pull the valve cover and dump oil all over it. Then finish filling it with oil the normal way. Fill the oil filter with oil and reinstall. I would use something like royal purple with a real good additive package. I would also probably bar it over by hand 4-5 rotations.

Tires are going to more then likely have flat spots, bushings are going to be creeky for a while. Brakes may be rusted to rotors maybe not. Fuel is going to be a major issue. I would remove as much of it as you can. I would then dump a good fuel stabilizer in and put in enough gas to get to a gas station and use something like V-Power or Chevron with Techron. Even then fuel system is likely to be an issue. If this has an electronic fuel pump i would key on key off about 10-15 times before starting it will help to get the stabilizer/fuel up there I may even let it sit for an hr then key on key off 3 times and start it. That should give you the best chance of not having issues when you start the engine.

I would expect to be replacing the fuel pump, fuel filter, and all the injectors in the near future. Just be aware of that. I would also run a fuel system cleaner every other tank for 3 times as well.

The battery you are more then likely going to have to replace. I would also recommend replacing the in line fuel filter after you are done with the injector cleaner. Also do another oil change at about 500 miles.

You are also going to more then likely need to change the brake fluid as well. Other then that it is likely to be an awesome ride.

[Ryan Wofford]

Is they’re any good way to drain the fuel on this car without dropping the tank? Also as mentioned above about the brakes, I live in San Antonio, Texas. Tires I believe might be shot but they’re fairly small, I don’t believe they’ll be TOO expensive. One more question too, how much money total do you think I should alot to have it running good?

[James O’Hara]

$1,500-3,000 If you do the work yourself.
$3,000-5,000 If someone else does the work.

$5-600 Tires with speed rating for vehicle ( Does not include mount/balance)
$200-250 Battery (Optima Yellow top Deep Cycle due to car probably sitting during winter)
$300-400 (4x oil changes royal purple synthetic and other fluids does not include cost of flushes/replacement)
$60-120 Air Filters ( some cabin air filters can cost 60 bucks)
$60 Oil filters (4x changes)
$40-50 Fuel System Cleaner
$440-(1200) Injectors (Aftermarket larger)
$18 Injector O-ring Kit
$370-400 OEM Fuel Pump
$10 6′ Clear hose to siphon fuel (Some newer cars have a screen or protector to prevent siphoning)
$1-2,000 Labor if you do not do it yourself (Mainly because of what barneyb stated)

[James O’Hara]

How to siphon fuel easily:

[Author]

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