Question about a vx thats been sitting for 1.5 years

[Slideways]

I am going hopefully next week to pick up my 01 dragon but its been sitting for about a year and a half and I have to drive 3 hours to go get it. Any words of advice for bringing it back to life?

I'm thinking of pulling the plugs and spraying a little marvel down there to aid in initial lubing of the rings. ALso bringing a different battery to throw in it and some jumper cables to help it get started.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[LittleBeast]

I would be a little concerned with the tires dry rotting and having bulges/flat spots, etc.

[Slideways]

hmm true. I have tires at home I could throw on if I can just get it there.

[VXjunky]

take a flat bed trailer....three hours away and all...."Danger Will Robinson!"

[Slideways]

No access to one or a truck. Could just bring the tires with me and have them mounted there.

[VXobsession]

Where are you going to get this thing? I am in Arkansas too and have a truck and trailer if needed.

[VXjunky]

whys it been non-op for so long?

[PK]

I assume this is a VX you have bought sight unseen, otherwise you would have had the engine running when you looked at it??

It all depends on why it hasn't been used for that period.
There is a big risk involved in firing a car up for the first time in 1.5 years, and then driving for several hours straight away.

And pulling the plugs can be a bit of a challenge on these, make sure you have the right tools.

Before you even wind it over, check the engine oil level, and look closely at the dipstick oil colour. If it looks bad, try and get fresh oil and a filter on it before you go too far.

Good luck.

PK

[Gussie2000]

it may not apply to your VX's situation,but do your self a favor & change engine oil before you even crank it when your get there.

My horse were in storage for 5 years up in the cold people's republic of massachusets and because of that got a sticking valve causing light diesel knocking due lack of oil change.

Again,your situation may not apply since arizona weather is mostly warm,but.....you never knows.

[Slideways]

Where are you going to get this thing? I am in Arkansas too and have a truck and trailer if needed.

Its in Jacksonville outside of little rock. I'm in fayetteville.

Was planning on changing the oil as soon as I got there. Forgot to mention that part.

Not sight unseen. Was a friend of mines who has been overseas. I've actually driven it a couple years ago and it ran great. Her parents just left it in the yard and never touched it.

What tools would you recommend on pulling the plugs? I'll do a search actually and find out.

Thanks!

[Slideways]

it may not apply to your VX's situation,but do your self a favor & change engine oil before you even crank it when your get there.

My horse were in storage for 5 years up in the cold people's republic of massachusets and because of that got a sticking valve causing light diesel knocking due lack of oil change.

Again,your situation may not apply since arizona weather is mostly warm,but.....you never knows.

LOL's. Ar, is the abbreviation for Arkansas. Not Arizona. Popular misconception though. Most people don't know this state exists except that Bill Clinton was from here.

[VXjunky]

brakes and lines???? not a concern????.........tarnished gas???? not a concern....they rent trucks and trailers alot cheaper than a blown or wrecked VX

[Triathlete]

brakes and lines???? not a concern????.........tarnished gas???? not a concern....they rent trucks and trailers alot cheaper than a blown or wrecked VX

Wheres your sense of adventure?

[Riff Raff]

A very successful trick I've always done for long-term storage vehicles BEFORE initial starting is to intentionally disable the coil/spark to the engine and then dry-crank the engine several times while watching the dashboard oil light finally disappear (illuminate.....to.....non-illuminate). This method of "pre" dry-cranking will ensure that sufficient engine oil has been fully circulated inside the engine while being unable to start (due to disabled coil/spark cable(s), etc).

After several repeated dry-cranks and watching the dashboard oil light illuminate and then disappear each time to confirm engine oil internal coverage; then re-connect coil/spark cable(s), and then fire it up for real.

Be very ginger on the gas pedal and do not rev the engine to high rpm's upon initial start-up, and just let engine slowly warm-up at normal idle until temperature gauge reads in normal middle range BEFORE driving.

[WormGod]

Not sight unseen. Was a friend of mines who has been overseas. I've actually driven it a couple years ago and it ran great. Her parents just left it in the yard and never touched it.

And her parents were actually nice enough to at least turn it over for her on occasion.... *facepalm*

Ya, I would elbow-drop them too.

Sitting out in the yard, I would be worried about A LOT. What has been chewed on by vermin. What fluid lines, vacuum lines, and/or tires have dry-rot. Is there any rust factor. Depending on temps, moisture, and humidity, I would even be curious as to any mechanical seizing.

You definitely "MAY" have your work cut out for you. Even if you get it turned over, I would continue my 85 points check and change process. I am iffy, but I wish you luck. (I always expect the worse so that when nothing or little goes wrong, I am pleasantly surprised)