Getting A Car Running That's Been Sitting For Years.

[straightedge779]

ok thank you soooooo much but what if it is broken or somthing?

[straightedge779]

scotty i just got a 1998 ford windstar but when i forst tryed to start it there was a pop and now it sounds like a hemi engine.

[scottykilmer]

@straightedge779 check for external leaks, and pray it's not an internal engine part that broke

[TaTacoMan]

@scottykilmer Cheers scotty :)

[TaTacoMan]

Hey Scotty i'm being given a car that's been sitting for about a year and a half is there anything i should look out for when i start working on it?

[scottykilmer]

@TaTacoMan yes, drain the tank first like in the video, and out fresh fuel in first and a new battery.

[Leethellama]

This guy is very entertaining! Someone give him a show.

[stopzilla911]

im getting a car been sittin for a year but i blows lots of white smoke. is this the old gas or oil. i hope its not a head gasket...

[likess]

Scotty big fan here :D

[1BigDaDo]

Love this!!! thanks for your time and effort you put in all your videos sub and fav!!!

[saksekj]

Were you in the Army?

[scottykilmer]

@saksekj son's in the 101st airborne flying around afghanistan

[finguin11]

This guy is awesome!!!!!

[quaddude2501]

Is this the same vet from one of your introductions?

[scottykilmer]

@quaddude2501 yep, I couldn't resist.

[916MustangRacer]

you didnt mention that you should pull out the distributor and prime the oiling system since it hasnt been started in years. just for safety :)

[nightmathzombieethan]

Any suggestions on where to get rid of that old fuel? Can I mix it with old oil that I'm disposing of?

[scottykilmer]

@nightmathzombieethan that's what i often do.

[nightmathzombieethan]

@scottykilmer Cool! Thanks Scotty!

[BRLa89]

The carb is almost new its a quadrajet 4 barrel

[scottykilmer]

@BRLa89 ah, but on old cars they clog up from crap in the gas tank. so take it apart and clean it completely.

[BRLa89]

I have another problem with the 78 cutlass i diagnosed the fuel problem but it wont stay running unless im holding the gas pedal but when i let it go it sputters and kills

[scottykilmer]

@BRLa89 if it has a carburetor, probably needs rebuilding or replacing.

[rangerguy17]

hey scotty i have a 1981 chevy camaro berlineta coupe and it wont start i did every thing you said in this video and the motor isnt locked up because it rotates and i replaced the starter but still nothing what else could be wrong?

[scottykilmer]

@rangerguy17 often the carb will be shot, try a new one.i ended up putting a new edelbrock on this vette.

[916MustangRacer]

@rangerguy17 check to see if its getting spark and fuel.

[916MustangRacer]

@rangerguy17 you dont need a new carb. probably just need some needles and seats and a good carb rebuild.

[HybridPineapple]

Don't you want to check all of the fluids before you actually try to start it?

[BRLa89]

@scottykilmer cool ill post a video of it running when im done!

[BRLa89]

Whats up scotty i have a 78 olds cutlass with a 350 im not getting any gas to the carb i changed the mechanical pump i poured 2 gallons in the tank and still nothing

[scottykilmer]

@BRLa89 the feed often clogs up, try using an old speedo cable and a drill up into the gas tank after removing the fuel line, that reams emout

[spelunkerd]

How do you get gas out of one of new vehicles, that have the antisiphon ball?

[xXxchipperchopperxXx]

@spelunkerd drop the tank

[scottykilmer]

@spelunkerd you have to drop the tank and suck it out of the hose going in once removed.

[mtktm]

forgot to say to check the spark plugs, and while you have them out, might as well spray some wd40 into the cylinders through the spark plug holes and let it sit for a few hours

This insures that you won't break any piston rings on start up.

[Reddogmr57]

Scotty hopefully you can help me. I have a 2001 Camaro V8 LS1 engine. Been sitting for 3 years with same gas, tried cranking it and won't start. Drained old gas, put new 91 gas in, sprayed air cleaner with starter fluid and finally got it to fire after several cranks, but runs really bad. Won't idle if i take foot off gas pedal. I felt cylinder 2 and cylinder 4 headers, cylinder 2 isn't nearly as hot as cylinder 4. Are my injectors working? clogged and need cleaning? Need new spark plugs?

[scottykilmer]

@Reddogmr57 Injectors certainly have problems, that's why you NEVER let fuel injected cars sit long. The old vette I fixed had a carb, and I ended up throwing it away and putting a brand new edelbrock on it to make it run good. But, you want a trick, put a gallon of lacquer thinner in the gas tank and try running the engine at 2500 rpms for an hour, that may clean em out.

[Hammer0165]

Hey Scotty, first: I really enjoy your video's, it contains good lessons for a young car enthusiast like me! I recently started up my mom's old Renault 16 after sitting 14 years, but I didn't use new gas. Although it started right up and it runs smooth, is there any risk of damage when I drive the car on 14 year old (leaded) fuel?

[scottykilmer]

@Hammer0165 yes, fill it up to the top if you don't empty it out, and refill it again when half empty to dilute the old gas.

[SSSDiaz7]

@scottykilmer Falling gasoline on a paint job for a car that nice makes my stomach turn. BTW, thank you for such a prompt response.

[Hammer0165]

@scottykilmer Thank you for your reaction! I will do that. First I'll try to get the brakes to work again...

[92iron]

Im buying a 1966 gmc truck with a 327 its been sitting under pine trees since 1999 with no air cleaner! should i put diesel or anything in the cylinders before trying to start it up?

[scottykilmer]

@92iron yes, good idea to lube em, remove the plugs, do that, then crank with them out first to lube it.

[montysport94]

Hey Scotty, I'm just about to buy an old 92 Nissan 240SX from this ladys garage that has been sitting for four years, but it was running when it was parked. Do you think I can drive it back home 40 miles with just a new battery and pumping up the tires? Thanks.

[scottykilmer]

@montysport94 YOu can try, but realize it's a big gamble sitting that long, the fuel system could be all clogged up

[DvoracKode]

The batteries for my father's '65 Barracuda Fastback and '71 Challenger R/T haven't been replaced yet. Well, maybe for the 'Cuda but it's amazing the cars still turn over on such ancient batteries.

[mybrotherkeeper]

Hey, Scotty!

To see if the engine is froze up you put a socket on a...pulley wheel? I couldn't see very good, but I'm thinking it was probably the biggest pulley wheel on the serpentine belt.

Am I right?

I have a sister-in-law who wants me to help her check out an old car that's been sitting for awhile, so I appreciate your services.

Thanks!

[7477238]

@mybrotherkeeper I'm not Scotty but yes it's the crank pulley bolt that you hook a socket on and turn. You can also use the pulley on the alternator but of course the drive belt has to be tight. I turned the engine using the alternator pulley when I was testing a Chevy Venture 3400 for head gasket leaks.

[mybrotherkeeper]

@7477238 Thanks.

[2CoolF0rSch00l]

BUT DONT SUCK LIKE PEOPLE USE TO!

[luna62ify]

Im thinking of buying a 84 firebird trans am can you give me any advice on common problems for this vehicle thanks

[scottykilmer]

@luna62ify yea, lousy automatic transmissions and guys often burn the engines out revving em too high, so check engine compression first.

[95115964]

Nice Vette Scott

[urx44]

@ocpm4tt thanks man because i plan to get the 700r and bore out my350 to a 383 and pit into s10

[charles81265]

@ 2:16 listen,Lol it sounded like about 3 rods were knocking! (ran it hard and put it away WET)

[jayfiver]

Thanks again Scotty. You're the best!

[paytonfit]

Hey Scotty, I just bought a 1986 vw westfalia that has been in storage for 11 years. The previous owner said all the other fluids have been changed except for the transmission oil. Do I have to flush the transmission or just drain it and replace the trans oil? Thanks in advance, for all you do.

[scottykilmer]

@paytonfit just drain

[TypicalUser7]

Don't you have to flush out the engine to get the crud out of there?

[scottykilmer]

@TypicalUser7 Yes, eventually, but you want to get it running first. Cause if it doesn't run, no sense messing with the rest.

[cybhunter007]

got a multifaceted question, I'm looking into getting a 1979 Peugeot 504 diesel (Inline 4, ~70 HP, carbs). Reading up the car would get around 30 MPG. Because 70HP wouldn't cut it nowadays I'm thinking a turbocharger would increase the horsepower. How much can the diesel engine handle in terms of pressure from a turbocharger (would love to increase the HP to between 100 and 130), and can the engine run on injectors instead of carbs for increased fuel efficiency?

[scottykilmer]

@cybhunter007 well, your question makes no sense, as you say you have a diesel, and no diesel can run on carbs, it would be fuel injected. go back and check to see what you really have, then ask me again.

[cybhunter007]

@scottykilmer

I ended up looking at a photo of the owners manual and realized it has a roto-diesel injector pump (facepalm). Can I safely turbocharge the engine up to 100-130 HP?

[scottykilmer]

@cybhunter007 You can get 100, but I wouldn't boost it up to 130 or it will probably blow.

[trulymeparker]

Merry Christmas Scotty =)

[mechguy83]

id love to pick your brain over a beer or 2 of course there on me,,,

[slayerized667]

"revvv up your engines :] !!!" xD

[jeffscomp]

Great videos and great advice!

[FordFanPerson]

its never made sense to me why some people just let nice cars sit in garages for years.. why would they even buy them if they aren't going to drive them and then just sell it years later?.. by the way, i hope to see you put more videos out with American muscle cars.

[barlux88]

your awesome scotty

[urx44]

i thought it would because the 4.3 is basicly a 350 but with two cilinders missing well thats what i was told

[urx44]

yup i have a question will a 350 chevy bolt up to a 4.3 v6 transmission of the same year

[scottykilmer]

@urx44 normally they won't

[ocpm4tt]

@urx44 yes they will all bolt up. Most common would be the 700r4 the v6 trans will have a few less clutch packs but will work just fine.

[urx44]

i didnt know that bt i knw we dont use it raw out the ground bt its oil because a friend of myne and i talkd about it and hes ben a mecanic 46 years i even use transmission oil when i wud run out of diesel and it ran perfect no clog filters no miss it ran perfect

[scottykilmer]

@urx44 he was lucky as hell then.

[urx44]

@ scotty why would diesel go bad if its density is more then gasoline gas is oil bt i with addatives diesel is oil it never goes bad ever because think about it all that oil in the earth dats being drilled has never went bad and we use it everyday of are lives

[scottykilmer]

@urx44 because fungus, believe it or not, grows in it, AND it's very hydroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs water vapor. We do not use oil directly out of the ground, it is highly processed before we use it.

[lllllllRobot]

Scotty, my car sit for about 4 years. I threw in a half a can of Sea Foam and the correct amount of gas that it told me to. Should I have emptied out the gas first like you did? Do I have anything to worry about? It starts just fine. Any advice how to keep mice from getting up under your hood? I know some people who don't even let their cars sit, and mice get in there. Poison doesn't seem to be the method, feeding them and having them rot in your car at the same time.

[scottykilmer]

@lllllllRobot yes, empty that gas out. Use one of those electronic ultrasonic noise makers, they really work, my attic if full of them and not mice anymore.

[miniz33]

Hey Scotty, love the vids! What was causing the vette to run rough towards the end of the vid?



[scottykilmer]

@miniz33 Old age, I ended up throwing the holley carb on it away and putting on a brand new edelbrock, now it runs like a scalded ape.

[AMAGMr]

should i also check the fuel pump?

[scottykilmer]

@AMAGMr of course, if it will crank but not start.

[stingray300m]

1:18 @scottykilmer 1:18 how doyouknowthe starter is bad because it clicks it could be the solnoid contects being a layer of crossion on them the contects being copper causeing it to just click if you overide the solanoid the starter moter itself will probley work but than the starter gear wount go connect to the flywheel because the solanoide itself has windings in it and the plundger will not egadge the pivoit arm to the starter gear because the solanoid has to be energised for it to all work

[scottykilmer]

@stingray300m sure, a thousand things could be wrong, but 99 percent of the time a clicking starter is a bad battery or a bad starter. And anyway, the solenoid is built into this starter, no one fixes em anymore, you just replace the whole starter,they're cheap enough these days as everything is made in china, even this vette starter. Scotty

[stingray300m]

@scottykilmer right but when a car sits for a long time the copper in the solanoid contects turns green a little this is from water getting on the contects called condasation so therefor it acts as a insulator preventing full power from the battery to the starter so you solve this problem by turning the key from run to start mutibul times before spending 100-200 for a new starter do this over and over it and most times it works or just take the solanoid apart and clean the contects

[Corvette1658]

that is a very sweet corvette i love corvettes i love the sound of it

[pwall81]

LOL devils hole

[joedaly2011]

HI,

MAN YOU ARE ROCKING ,I LEARN A LOT FROM YOU..THANK YOU SO MUCH KEEP DOING THE EXCELLENT SERVICE.

JOE

SAN ANTONIO ,TEXAS

[diistriitglow]

@joedaly2011 mcallen, tx bro.

[EmotionalOrder]

I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HEAR IT FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE OR TWO

[scottykilmer]

@EmotionalOrder well, tommorow I'm uploading a new video, and I use that vette as the intro, doing burn outs. You'll hear that. scotty

[Jere616]

You are very knowledgeable and also you have a great personality for doing these videos. Thanks for the public service.

[Funskier67]

Scotty, could you do a video on how to diagnose the cruise control not working on a car? I have a 93 Chrysler Imperial and the cruise control doesn't work (the fuse is good). Not sure how to check the switch on the brake pedal, and any other electrical, or the vacuum lines. Thanks!

[scottykilmer]

@Funskier67 check the vacuum lines, but as for the rest, too complex for a do it yourselfer. they are mini computer systems after all. Scotty

[sexyspacemonkey]

Nice Corvette there Scotty! i was just at the falls the other day!

[623bullet]

Scotty can putting seafoam into the brake booster vacum line do anything I'n the car?

[Amopower]

Hey Scotty, how do you know if your car has one of those anti-siphon thingies in the filler tube? From what I understand, they prevent you from going past them and down to the bottom of the tank. I guess the easy answer is, try and find out, but wondered if there was a more accurate way to know.

[mybrotherkeeper]

@Amopower That's true. I had some older cars I was able to siphon gas from, then had a '95 and couldn't do it.

[chepiner]

Yea thats true itink it may be a loose wire.my friend that scaned it its an ididot he has a modis snap on and he couldnt tell me wat it might be.he just said take off the bulb.i bought a actron at autozone and found the code myself. Ima try another mechanic i also just bought another engine .

[chepiner]

Hey scoty tanx for all the videos . One question i got a 97 eclipse 2.0 non turbo. It has a dodge engine. And the evap pump wont work and it trows a p1494 if i remember right . I changed it out but still noting. How much volts does the pump work on? Will this make me faill emission ? Idk wat do nomore i changed alot of evap lines already.

[scottykilmer]

@chepiner  It will make it fail, and to work on evap systems, you reallly need a dealer level scan computer and a lot of experience, that's just how it is. Otherwise, guessing is expensive and often fixes nothing. Scotty

[TheChimzunzun]

my check engine light come on what should i do?

[scottykilmer]

@TheChimzunzun watch my video "what it means when your check engine light is on". Scotty

[OSDCrusher]

Scotty, nice Vette

[kingcoapa]

Beautiful StingRay Scotty... I like your corvette and that wheels, don´t sell it !...454 or 350ci ?...

[scottykilmer]

@kingcoapa 350, not mine, a customers. Scotty

[leebob86]

@kingcoapa lol....you are telling the entire planet that you can't see the difference between big block valve covers and small block valve covers...lol little bit of a size difference, just a little. WOW!!!

[kingcoapa]

@leebob86 Sorry I don´t have my eagle eyes and I can´t make the difference betwen red and blue.( and folks around here like to change valve covers to sim...bigger blocks ).

[Michiganborn1969]

Cool video. Where was that waterfall at that you can get behind it like that?

[scottykilmer]

@Michiganborn1969 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Scotty

[fixinggrace]

@scottykilmer My wife and I went there on our honeymoon in 1994. That was quite the experience.

[928baller]

Hey Scotty do the valve gaskets and rear oil seal and transmission seals go bad, as crack and dry up after sitting all those years? Especially the gear fluid in the rear end?...

[scottykilmer]

@928baller Yep, EVERY single seal will crack and go bad over time. Scotty

[baseer1992]

@scotty nice videos love them, my question is example if you give regular oil changes to a 1990 car (you want to keep it so its worth more in the future antique car) will the engine lock up? and how do those people have 64 mustangs that still run like new?

[scottykilmer]

@baseer1992 changing the oil is good, not changing it causes them to lock up. Old cars run like new if you take care of em and maintain them correctly., Scotty

[dslynx]

I've heard of people getting cars running with minimal effort after sitting for a long time. My firebird has been in the garage for about 7 years now. Last time it had sat for around 3 years and after adding fuel, it started right up and ran without issues. I'm crossing my fingers that I can do that again.. when it's time to actually start it again.

[spearheadmon]

You the man Scotty!, I just saw this and got an old 18 month sitting toyota running. Thanks Bro.

[jackoskellington]

as always the best adivce, thanks

[GODIN101]

Wow i wish i knew how to do all of this stuff by memory. Maybe in 40 years

[Reallopasz]

I think it`s a crime to have a car and dont use it. People who puts cars for a long time to garage, try atleast once a month to start them and ride a bit and there will be no problems.. :).

[dslynx]

@Reallopasz That's easier said than done. When you are doing custom work on a vehicle, it may not be in a state that you can't start it for years.

[thunderking323]

small question.

So when a car sit's is it possible the engine can lock due too sitting?

just curious

[scottykilmer]

@thunderking323 Of course, that's why I turned the engine with a wrench first to see if it was locked up. Rust is insidious. Scotty

[thunderking323]

@scottykilmer thank you for the intell :-) i had a freind with a car that was sitting for awhile and he stated he didnt know why it was locked up. now i know it was due too sitting and rust build :-)

[AdirondackNY]

@thunderking323 Yes,,,,, because humidity is in the air and ther is always an exhaust & intake valve open to let air in the cylinder & the aluminum piston corodes the steel rings and cylinder and to free a locked motor pull the spark plugs fill with karosen including the intake and turn the motor over by hand with the plugs out.

[thunderking323]

@AdirondackNY thank you for letting me know this important info.

i actually didnt even know u can unlock a engine.

Especially didnt know that a engine can get damaged that bad from sitting.

now i know if i park a car for a long period i should always turn it over atleast once a week to keep it from becoming locked :-)

[3wheeler016]

If it just clicks like that it could also be corroded connections on the battery/starter from sitting so long...I'd clean all the connections before i ran out to get a new starter.

[scottykilmer]

@3wheeler016 The starter was bad, believe me, I"m a mechanic. I just put a new battery in if you watched , and of course the terminals were fine as I just put them on. Scotty

[3wheeler016]

@scottykilmer I'm a mechanic too. Just thought itd be worth putting the comment out there for people who aren't as mechanically inclined...they may try doing all of this and not even realize how corroded some connections are as the battery is being put in etc. For us its just 2nd nature to clean stuff like that.

[Jaket2000]

You should try out the questions about seafoam, I own an old 83 Z car and allot of people are telling me to seafoam the whole thing and yet I heard from several people it wrecked the seals and blew up the engine.

[scottykilmer]

@Jaket2000 yes, it can wreck seals if put into engine oil, Fine for putting in the gas tank though. Scotty

[Jaket2000]

@scottykilmer ok thanks for clarifying, I figured it wasn't a one all do all but I might give it a go in my aging old fuel system.

[Vathane]

that car ran like a bag of asses

[fitnessguru44]

HEY SCOTTY....is frequently use of SEA FOAM in you car's...oil and gas bad?

[serchmarc]

great car!!! cheers

[DaBossk]

lol that sounded horrible? is that gonna be your car now? did you buy it? if so..... awesome! corvettes are the best super cars yo

[scottykilmer]

@DaBossk no, it's moving to Florida, and now it has a new edelbrock carb on it, runs better, but really needs a full engine overhaul with all that clacking. Scotty

[lamiasubs]

Scotty, what if it's a less severe case, like a few months?

[scottykilmer]

@lamiasubs then it's much easier, often just a new battery. Scotty

[cperalta92]

Guess I should have prayed that the seals didn't go bad when I got my 190E. Also, I didn't know that gas went bad/expired.

[FromThe3PointLine]

Scotty please explain this "turning engine over" to me please

[NoBSManagement]

@FromThe3PointLine to check if the engine isn't seized. if you can rotate the crank your good. if not get ready to spend a lot of time and money

[fladdy45]

I had one car that has been standing outside for 3-4 years, bought a new battery and it started on the first turn of the key (Y) But its a pretty big difference in 15 and 3 years haha!

[labbore]

Very cool video nice job on it scotty....

[Dicofole]

Great video like always!

What would have been a better way of storing a car for that long ? Can you make a video on that ?

Thanks.

[CorsaAGSi]

Tires probable dried out to.

They dont like sitting stil for lang.

[fleetwoodsucks]

Brilliant video! At least the car was stored in doors!

How about doing a video on the best ways to prep a car for storage

[Enzofromwb]

Wait wait wait. A classsic Vette that's been completely ignored for over 10 years? This ... this is an ATROCITY! :D

[2studmuffin]

So my parents decided to buy me a car thats been sitting since 2010. Changed the battery, gas, oil, and coolant. What else should be changed? Air filter is getting changed this weekend.

[scottykilmer]

@2studmuffin that's fine, one year isn't that bad. Scotty

[RetroFan1992]

Hey Scotty. i put my firebird up on blocks for the winter. is there anything i should do when i take it off in april?

[scottykilmer]

@RetroFan1992 just the usual, new gas, recharge or replace the battery. Scotty

[crammage]

you forgot to mention to check the coil and distributer! lol

[scottykilmer]

@crammage hey, it started up, so it works. Scotty

[markkjay]

Can't siphon gas out of most cars anymore...

[scottykilmer]

@markkjay tis true, oldies are easier to work on, that's for sure. Scotty

[GraniteBees]

good ol 350 :)

[ncrdisabled]

I had a 71 back in 84 My first wife when I first met her on leave from NAVY . he had one with payments of 400 bucks a month . I turned it in after 2 weeks as it was to costley to fix it and the dealer refused to fix it even thou it was under a 90 day warranty. If I could have kept it in storage it would be worth over 30k.

[shadeclark]

Nice Video I hope you keep making videos I enjoy them!

[HussamStands]

IT started and ran, but I don't know how long it's gonna last that way. This thing ran just so rough.

[biggdaddy2001]

i love working on somthing that has sit for years because u never know what it is gonna do especially cars trucks that have sat in feilds

[Chris090883]

I've never heard of a Radiator Filter is that new lol. I'm sure you ment to say change the coolant

[hp11208]

i dont like the new youtube look,but vid scotty

[SuperchargedMustang5]

Why do all Chevys sounds the same when they start?

[strathmann2007]

It sounds ruff :/

[scottykilmer]

@strathmann2007 so would you if you sat for 15 years. Scotty

[Rangerscott69]

I'm surprised you didnt pull the spark plugs and put some lube so the piston rings dont scrape the hell out of the cylinder walls.