Starting Prcedures for 8 year sitting RV

[dkoug]

Can't find recommended procedure in starting a long time sitting vehicle.

I believe it is some where on this great site.

thanks

dkoug

[shanebo]

I recently got my 85' Allegro motorhome up and running...it had sat since 03 or 04. Here's what mine took

1. change engine oil
2. change transmission fluid and filter...mine was real bad yours may be OK though.
3. Check coolant level and color.
4. replaced mouse chewed spark plug wires and did a thorough inspection of the rest of the wiring.
5. check and replaced belts
6. topped off rear diff.
7. charged..and ended up replacing battery
8. Greased all the fittings i could find...especially the U-joints!
9. added 30 gallons of fresh gas and dumped 2 bottles of Heet in tank to remove any condensation.
10. Inspect tires and tire pressure.
11. Bleed the brakes and inspect all the components.
12. Primed the carb and then she started right up.

I drove it around for a while, letting it get good and hot and then gave it another thorough look over to make sure there was no leaks or breaks.


Good luck

[BenM]

I'd add:

• Drain the fuel tank and put fresh gas in
• Put a quart of oil system cleaner in before you drain the oil and run it for a few minutes
• Put a quart of Marvel Mystery oil in with your fresh oil
• Pull the plugs and put a small amount of some Marvel or light oil in

Mostly to make sure that your valves and rings don't stick and the accumulated sludge gets washed away.

[shanebo]

Thats a very good point Ben...I didnt run any oil system cleaner or Marvel in mine but i really should have. I dodged having to drain the tank cuz some jerk siphoned all the gass out of it...thats all right though cuz the joke was on him He got a bunch of stail gas ..He actually save me alot of work

[Sunny]

Also, pretty common sense.. but don't rev it after it gets started..
You'd be surprised how often I see it though..
Oh.. car's been sitting for 4 years? Hey it starts.. let's rev the crap out of it.. Oh.. doesn't run so well anymore..

[shanebo]

Ive seen alot of people do it though ....good times

[ericarmstrong]

 Change the oil, change the gas, and drop a bit of oil into each cylinder via the spark plug hole before you turn it over. Then fire it up. The exhaust will smoke a bit, but that's ok. Once you have it to full temperature let it cool and do the other maintenance items.... plugs, belts, ext, ext..........