Topic: Your opinions greatly appreciated

[coolnoob]

I'll be getting my hands on a 1991 Acura Integra with 180K with a manual trans. The past 3 winters have been sitting outside untouched. However it was mechanically checked to be in a very good condition at the time it was parked.

Any concerns of driving it to get it serviced or should I get it towed? Also what damages would be incurred from just sitting there Thanks.

[weebl]

I'd be worried about rust as well as whether the vehicle was properly prepared for storage or not.  Outdoors is a far from ideal place for storage of a car, especially over a winter, let alone three.

[sly]

This is a touchy situation. Let's put it this way; a vehicle that runs too much is likely to to outlast one that does not run enough.
My father bought a 10 year Totyota corolla that only had 15,000 km. It turned out to be a complete lemon. Mechanics kepy finding wear related to "the lack of use".

I would definitively get it towed and get all parts inspected closely.  

Each case is different. If it was parked in a dry place, it might still be in a decent shape, but would still be careful!

If it was outside, I would expect that many parts will require to be replaced to include; brakes, piston rings, valves, sensors etc...If it never ran during all that time, there is likely rust all over the cylinders walls (the block might be aluminum, but the cylinders lining is steel.  

Hopefully it will be a good case scenario for you.

Good luck.

It could be that bad.

[barrie1]

Sly is right as it could have some problems once you start to drive it. The valve guide seals may be cracked and that will shorten the life of the engine for sure. Dry wall cracks in the tires will not pass safety and the emergency brake as well as the rear brake parts could be siezed. Definitely have this car thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before you drive it very far.

[johngenx]

Yup, lack of use is BAD.  Worse than the km's that it might have logged.  We MB owners see plenty of "cared for by never being driven" cars, and personally, I would be VERY wary of one.  One woman I know overpaid by a HIDEOUS amount for 560SL because it had 10,000 original km's.  Well, even the superb M117 Mercedes V-8 can't sit for it's entire life, and the car was shot.  The engine had corroded inside, the seals were dried out, all suspension/steering bushings were shot from resting on one spot, etc.  She paid $45K for a $25K car and ended up another $25K into repairs.  $70,000 for a car she MIGHT get $30,000 for if a sucker comes along, like her.

Go over that Acura with a fine tooth comb.  It could very well be a money pit waiting to be dug right under your feet.

[coolnoob]

thanks for the input guys. hmmm i am wondering if it would be even risky to attempt to drive it to a mechanic thats only 3 miles away.

[coolnoob]

Johngenx:  thankfully the car was given to me.  man hopefully i don't have to put too much into it.  thanx.

[Brigitte]

Coolnoob - You're a smart guy.  Before I became a member of this forum, I would NEVER have thought in a million years that sitting around is bad for a car.  This topic has come up before, and now I know better.  And the answers certainly bear repeating.

Welcome to the forum.  You have a host of experts to guide you (myself excluded - I'm still learning).

Brigitte

[Roadrunner]

I wouldn't even start it right now let alone drive it three miles. Like the guys said, (amoung other things) maybe even the cylinder walls have cracks now (as may be the case as we don't know if this vehicle was Properly prepared for long storage. (normal condensation builds inside an engine that has been used.  
The next day when the engine is started and warms up, the condensation is pushed out the tailpipe.) If the vehicle is used, parked and simply shut down and left, as the film of oil drains down, condensation forms on the exposed cylinder walls and rust develops.  
There won't be oil on the cylinder walls of that vehicle, especially after that length of time when Not being periodically started. If you're in a cold climate (winter freezing) I sure hope there was Good antifreeze in the system.
There is a long list of things to do both at Pre-storage time AND when the vehicle is to be put back into service. 3 winters is a long time just sitting.

[Roadrunner]

Coolnoob,
Here's something else for you to look for:
I'm visualising that car sitting outside, neglected since being parked.
Was it covered? I don't mean with snow or birdsh*t.
In the late fall as the temp starts to drop, all the little critters begin looking for a winter haven.What better place (other than an open garage door) to begin building a nest than up under the closed hood of a vehicle? Hmmmm?
Also, just think of all that Yummy wire insulation to munch on!
Have you any idea how small a hole a mouse needs to gain entry? 1/4 of an inch! I didn't believe it either until I seen one do it myself!
Oh yeah, they love using the seat stuffing too.
Those little bast***s live the life of Riley in such places.
Every spring my son had to evict 1/2 dozen out of his Neon winter beater before he could use it and that was after he swept the sh** out.
I don't mean to scare you, but to make you aware of what CAN occur.

[Roadrunner]

Brigitte, you sure you still want to learn?

[tenpenny]

Do I understand you correctly that it was not driven during the past 3 winters, as in, maybe, parked in December, used again in March/April?

That being the case, despite what the experts here say, it's an Acura, go for it.

[coolnoob]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the input.  I think I better err on the side of safety and get it towed.

Tenpenny: sorry, I meant that it was not driven for 3 years.

[maritime_storm]

Question, can the oil pump on this particular engine be turned manually be some means without starting the engine? I know with Chrysler V-8's & some others{SB Ford's?}you could pull out the distributor and spin the oil pump with an attachement set into the chuck of an electric drill and pump oil through the engine without having to start it and what to hear that main bearing being spun. We had 2 Chrysler's that went through this ritual in the spring every year. Ahh old technology was grand wasn't it?

[ericthejet]

My opinion, but I doubt that you could ever find rust on any internals no matter how long it has been parked.  If the car has been run in the past then the internals have absorbed some oil into their surfaces.  You can't remove it and it will not rust over the course of 2 or 3 winters.  The same can be said for the top end.  If you pulled the plugs and removed the valve cover popped the hood then you may expect to see some rust.  Yes things will be a bit stiff such as belts and pumps but I would fire this puppy up and let it idle under minimal load for about 20 minutes to heat things up.  While the engine is warming up keep an eye on the guages and lights and check under the hood for any leaks and excessive smoke.  I'm sure some moisture will burn off and it may sound a bit cranky at first but you can move it without much of a problem.  You will also notice the brakes will be a bit "grabby" from a buildup of surface rust on the rotors.  Your rear brakes may also stick a bit, handbrake as well.  They may need a clean and adjust after the storage period.  I once rebuilt a 10 year old 4 cyclinder engine and after running the calipers etc. to check the specs I found everything to be in order.  My experince only.
Good luck with your car.
PS  Years ago Can Tire sold some magic fluid to pour into your oil to get rid of any rust inside the engine.  It was a flop and I used to ask customers when and if they had ever seen rust inside an engine?  Have you and not wher the coolant flows.  Your engine is not made of cast iron anymore.

[articsteve]

One could remove the plugs and give each cylinder a good shot of fogging oil.  Let it sit for 10 minutes, then with the plugs out and installed in the plug caps, bump the motor over twice for two seconds each time.  Then install plugs.  

But before that shipon as much old gas out of the tank as possible and fill with 91 octane or greater if available.  Then start and let idle and keep a close eye on things.

Then change oil.  Also use a good battery.  Have a can of spray lube handy to spray noisy idlers, etc.

[ericthejet]

Regular pump gas is usually fresher, my opinion.  Most guys I know all run regular unleaded in their sportbikes and actually get better fuel milage.?  I tried it and it works for my bike.

[coolnoob]

Ericthejet: Thanx for the reply. I have to admit I am kind of nervous about the car(first car). Hope it's still roadworthy... taking it to a mechanic this thursday. *crosses fingers*

[articsteve]

Regular pump gas is usually fresher, my opinion.

That my be true if your living in the Yukon or some place that nobody has a premium fuel vehicle and demand is nil.  For major centres that is an absurd statement.

[chris]

Like Artic says, drain and replace the oil - any cheapo oil will do as you'll want to replace it again soon after you've run the engine a bit.  Easy to do so you can do it yourself and not waste the cash having a shop do it for you.  After three years there's a good chance that the oil will have loads of condensation in it as probably will the gas tank.  Fill up with premium and maybe a shot of gas line antifreeze (cleans up the water in the tank).  If you're in the boonies, sure use regular but any large town's premium should be fine.

Eric, your bike must be a tad newer than mine!  The old oiler gixxers run so hot that regular makes my bike sound like a popcorn popper!