in a few weeks, i'll be starting up my s500 after a year or so of dormancy.what should i do prior to turning it over to make it easier on my 'pal'?priming the engine ?how?

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'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)

Prior to storage, did you change the oil, fill the tank with fresh fuel, increase tire pressure to the placarded maximum on the tire sidewall, change the coolant and/or brake fluid if either would have expired during the estimated storage period, and protect the car from rodents with traps and poison?

If so, check TP and fluid levels, install a freshly charged battery, start it up, and take it for a test drive. Run the tank down to near empty as quickly as possible and fill it up with fresh fuel. Audit you records and change coolant and brake fluid if they are expired.

The important tasks to ensure than a stored car will not suffer harm during storage must be accomplished PRIOR to placing a car in storage. If you just park a car for a year with well used oil, an eighth of a tank of fuel , and expired coolant and/or brake fluid, you are asking for trouble.

Duke

I think it's probably more important what you did to put it INTO dormancy. That would be the more important step I would think. Things such as remove the battery or put on a trickle charger, put stabilizer in the fuel etc. I am not an expert on this. Also, has it been completely dormant, never started? What conditions? Indoors, outdoors, humidity? I imagine the tires might have some flat spots. And it might take some toll on the AC system. Not sure.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

i did change the oil prior to sleep and the plugs were fairly new(~3000 kms).tires were checked and pumped up high.my question is at starting is there anything i can do to prime the engine or make it easier to turn over?

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'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)

I been storing my 190 for six month intervals for about ten years. It's my driver in the winter and I drive my '91 MR2 in the summer, so I swap them back and forth every six months using the above storage prep, and they are stored inside.

Neither has ever failed to start just as if they were sitting overnight. Modern fuel systems are sealed and the pump is energized at least briefly when you turn on the key. At worst if it doesn't start in about four seconds. Wait about thirty seconds and crank again.

Other than doing a basic visual inspection of fluid levels, tires, checking for rodent damage, and ensuring you have a good, fully charged battery, there are no special procedures necessary before you attempt to start.

Duke

Just go ahead and start it. It's likely that your brakes may need attention after that long period of dormancy.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

My 911 is stored for long periods of time without running. All the above advice is good.

I always pull the coil wire and turn the engine over several times (about 10-20 seconds each) Once the oil pressure climbs I will then reattach the coil wire and let it start.

I do this to try and avoid dry engine parts when first starting.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

If you wish to take the ultimate in cautionary steps, remove the plugs, spray a light coating of motor oil into the cylinders and then turn over several times to lubricate the cylinder walls. One or more of your valves have probably been open during storage and you may have a dry cylinder. Put the plugs back in and start. Sound like a lot of extra work? You are not driving a Pinto...be safe, not sorry.

Tim

haasman , has the answer.

don't touch the gas pedal, keep all your acc items off and let it crank a bit. this will give it time to wet the cyl walls a mite and push the pressure up to lube the vce and the rockers. after say 10 seconds stop, put the coil wire back and attempt a regular start.

if you want to take it a step farther then disconnect the fuel pump hose and or electrical hook up so you won't flood the engine. i know if you remove the plugs it will crank easier but if you're only going to do say 2 rounds of 10 seconds each a fully charged battery should still have enough in it to light it off.

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Thanks Much!
Craig

1972 350sl Red/Blk 117k
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