Car sat for ten years, instructions needed on how to get it running

Tiny
DANIE.GIRL432
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have recently inherited the car listed above Eclipse, and I know nothing about the car. What should I check or repair first to get it running?
Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 12:08 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

You will need to change every fluid in the car first.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

You will need to drop the fuel tank and have it flushed out and replace the fuel pump. Fuel that old is no good.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

I would install a new battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

I would also replace the tires as they must be dry rotted by now.

Roy
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
DANIE.GIRL432
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay, thank you so much for your help! You've given me a starting point. Do I need to do all of this before I even try and start it? I know there hasn't been any gas in it in a long time, so I was just going to check the fluids and put new gas just to see if it starts. Or is that a bad idea?
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need to change all the fluids first and the fuel has to be changed otherwise you can damage components. The fuel is no good at this point as well as the fuel pump.

Roy
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 4:02 PM

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