Starting a car that hasn't been started in 3 years

[Txstang1]

At least three years, probably more like 5.

It's my neighbor's car, 90 Buick Reatta with a 3.8 v-6.

My question is this, I definitely need to change the oil before starting but what about the gas ? I got to thinking, they were already adding 10% ethanol 5 years ago and I heard that stuff will fuck shit up.

So do I need to drain the tank and put fresh gas in it or anything else I need to do before cranking a car that has been sitting that long ?

We're trying to get it ready to sell.

TIA

[mstng86]

I bet it won't start. The filter is probably clogged, as well as the fuel lines. Just a hunch though.

[SEB]

1. Drain old Fuel first & put in new fuel
2. Good battery

& try & start it, Then go from there if it doesnt start. But your a pretty smart guy, Im sure you already know this

[SEB]

I bet it won't start. The filter is probably clogged, as well as the fuel lines. Just a hunch though.

My 88 Iroc started up after sitting for 6 years. Mike off the board just had the injectors cleaned & we put a new fuel filter in & dropped the tank & cleaned the tank out & re filled up with fuel & she fired right up first time

[mstng86]

My 88 Iroc started up after sitting for 6 years. Mike off the board just had the injectors cleaned & we put a new fuel filter in & dropped the tank & cleaned the tank out & re filled up with fuel & she fired right up first time

I have frequently left my 5.0 without starting it for up to year and it always started. Finally, this last time, the filter clogged. I had to replace it. Maybe it was bad gas from the previous time I ran it.

[BlackSnake]

Pull the plugs and spry a bunch of SeaFoam down each cylinder. Let it set at least over night and then turn it over a few times with the plugs still out. If all goes well, install plugs and start.

[Kart21]

I just started a car that had sat up 6 years. We drained the "gas" or yellow shit the smelled bad. Changed the oil and filter. Pulled the plugs and oiled the cylinders. Blew the fuel lines out. WD-40 sprayed the distributer.

Had an idle issue early on but it went away with time. Sticky injector maybe?

Just my 2 cents.

[Txstang1]

Thnaks a lot guys, Just wanted to make sure I wasn't over looking anything important. I'll drain the fuel, change the oil, lube the cylinders and pray for the best. If it doesnt start, then I'll clean the injectors and fuel lines.

[mikeb]

My 88 GT sat with a full tank of gas for 2.5 years. We replaced the engine and it started right up on the old gas, but didn't run very well until we ran thru that gas.

If the gas is yellow or smells stale it needs to be drained. If it still smells like gas you might be ok to just run it on thru with some fuel treatment/fresh gas thrown into the tank.

[BttleFedC10]

I wander if this is what is wrong with my ranger. Sat since 09, put fresh fuel in it, changed the head cause it was cracked. Didnt do the fuel filter though. And it runs really rough, but when ya unplug the mass air it runs smoother. lol. Weird..