Car sat for a couple years, what to change?
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Car sat for a couple years, what to change?
My 99 LeSabre sat for a year or so in a parking lot, being driven very little. Besides the oil (changed), what should be changed fluid-wise on the car? Additionally, any areas I should keep an eye on? Thanks for helping a noob out!
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hi and welcome to the club..
well besides the oil change me personally i would start by flushing the radiator and putting new antifreeze, a full tune up, plugs, wires, filters (air & fuel ), maybe even the iac valve as they are baout $9 at autozone, how are the tires.? dryrotted or no.?
i would also run the car and burn off all fuel in the tank as its in park then fill up the tank and add some gas treatment/ fuel injector cleaner to clean the fuel system and that should do it..
if i missed something then im sure alot of other members will chime in and tell you..
hope this helps
well besides the oil change me personally i would start by flushing the radiator and putting new antifreeze, a full tune up, plugs, wires, filters (air & fuel ), maybe even the iac valve as they are baout $9 at autozone, how are the tires.? dryrotted or no.?
i would also run the car and burn off all fuel in the tank as its in park then fill up the tank and add some gas treatment/ fuel injector cleaner to clean the fuel system and that should do it..
if i missed something then im sure alot of other members will chime in and tell you..
hope this helps
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Plugs maybe, only if they look fouled. Not wires. They won't go bad just sitting there. Unplug them from the coils and check for corrosion, clean if necessary.
I've never heard of an IAC valve for 9 bucks at autozone, and if I did, I wouldn't buy it. Nor would I change it (Idle air controller in your throttle body). It should be fine from sitting.
Other than that, I agree with the fluids, but drive it first and get things stirred up a bit. That way you'll get all the silt and sediment out also.
I've never heard of an IAC valve for 9 bucks at autozone, and if I did, I wouldn't buy it. Nor would I change it (Idle air controller in your throttle body). It should be fine from sitting.
Other than that, I agree with the fluids, but drive it first and get things stirred up a bit. That way you'll get all the silt and sediment out also.
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I have seen break fluid turn to jelly but mostly when it sets for several years but if your breaks dont feel normal bleed them real good it wont hurt
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In climates with wide temperature swings, I've had sitting cars experience dryrotted belts. The serpentine belt on a Bonneville is rather simple to swap out, so inspect it for signs of cracking and replace it if needed. I personally use the Goodyear Gatorback belt (I get them at Autozone), the dealer GM belts for me have always cracked all over within the first year.
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You'll probably need to remove and machine the brake drums/rotors. They probably have so much rust buildup that it won't be removed with normal braking. This will cause poor braking, lots of noise, and sometimes funky problems with the ABS going off when braking on dry pavement.
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I've put about 2000 miles onto the car lately, most of it highway and highway-like driving. Some injector cleaner was run through in the first tank of new fuel. Replaced the air filter. The brakes have been tested (responsibly, not in emergency situations) and are good, aside from the front pads squealing a lot and some chirping in turns. Maybe a caliper issue. Pedal feel is good. *-belt doesn't have any cracks in it. Coolant is still bright pink.
The only issue that is of concern (to me) is the transmission getting a bit rougher in its shifts. It'* still pretty smooth, but a bit of jerkiness has been noted. When the car was first driven the shifts were smoother. Is this of any concern?
Thanks for the replies so far, and keep them coming!
The only issue that is of concern (to me) is the transmission getting a bit rougher in its shifts. It'* still pretty smooth, but a bit of jerkiness has been noted. When the car was first driven the shifts were smoother. Is this of any concern?
Thanks for the replies so far, and keep them coming!
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