1986 Chevrolet Camaro

DAWN

MEMBER
1986 CHEVROLET TRUCK

I have a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro that has been sitting for about 5 years. The gas has all evaporated from the tank. I bought a new battery for it last week in the hope of getting it started again, and I wondered if it is okay just to put some gas in the tank and turn the key. I really like this car (I got it new almost 20 years ago and have been pretty good to it all these years before I stopped driving it about 5 years ago, so it is in good condition under the hood and everywhere else.), And I don't want to damage the engine in any way, so is there some sort of precaution I need to take before trying to start it after it has been sitting for five years?

Thanks!

4 Replies

MVANNESSJR

MECHANIC
223 POSTS

Check the spark plugs, wires, coolant and OIL. I would do an oil change before starting this car at all. Oil should be changed every three months as it will expire. If the oil is bad it can get real thick and absolutely cause issues in starting the car safely. Having little/no/or bad coolant can also be bad. A basic tune up before adding fuel to her and starting it up would be good.

After checking and replacing the fluids and looking at the plugs to make sure they are not oil fouled or in bad shape it should start just fine. Be prepared for some smoke from the tailpipe as it will more than likely burn and deposits that have been sitting in the system. Watch the engine compartment for unusual burning and the temperature guage for unsual heating issues.

Good luck!

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 1:06 AM

DAWN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi,

Thank you so much for the good advice. I'll post a message here at the board once I get it started to let you know how things went!

D

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 7:55 AM

SC1 RACING

MECHANIC
117 POSTS

If it has been sitting that long I would also recomend that you remove the plugs and add some lubricant into each cylinder before trying to start. After sitting that long the rings could be seized.

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 9:56 AM

DAWN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks! I found someone who will come over and change out the fluids, so I will ask them to remove the plugs and put some lubricant in the cylinders, too.

Dawn

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 11:10 AM