Re: Advice for Checking Out Sitting Cars

Posted by Loyd Smith On 2008/8/21 10:34:04

Depending on where it may've been set up problems are numerous. My car had been stored inside since about 1989.
ALL of the rubber on it was hard, rubber bushings shot, door, window seals, etc. Car had not been lubricated in years. All grease was hard. Body/surface rust is easy to determine and sometimes a factor and sometimes not. Pitted cylinder wall in engines is common - just from sitting and not being run/lubricated for years. Condensation and moisture invades nearly everything unless stored in climate controlled environment and, even then, if the car has sat long enough. Many other things too numerous to mention. ANY vehicle that's been sitting for ANY length of time exceeding a few months needs brakes (master and wheel cylinders, lines, hoses)and steering gone through (see above about grease being hardened).

Sometimes you can luck out but most times not. All you can do is look and see what you've got after you get the car somewhere that you can do so. A car that has sat inside will usually be in better shape than one sitting outside in the weather, naturally, but if one has been set up for four or five years, or longer, you really need to go through it.