Since I got my 2011 GT the cobra has been sitting and I'd like to get her moving again. What steps and things to check to make sure she starts up without any issues? A co-worker advised checking the gas tank and if I had synthetic oil that the oil should be ok but I'm not sure about that. Thank you for any advice!
Things to do to get my 98 Cobra back running again after sitting 4 years?
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Nothing too specific or out of the ordinary, really. I'm betting you could toss a battery in the car and it would start.
People may disagree with me but I'm the type that I would do some of the cheap maintenance/tune up type stuff first before attempting to start it. Fuel filter and oil change, new air filter, jack it up and check the general condition of all of the fuel lines and brakes/brake lines, general condition of the tires, charge the battery.
How much fuel is in the tank? If there is quite a bit in the tank I'd start it up on the old gas and run it to empty before putting fresh in, otherwise if its pretty empty I'd just mix fresh in and go. Wouldn't personally mess with trying to drain the tank. Either way, I'd be changing the plugs after the first tank of gas was run through.
People may disagree with me but I'm the type that I would do some of the cheap maintenance/tune up type stuff first before attempting to start it. Fuel filter and oil change, new air filter, jack it up and check the general condition of all of the fuel lines and brakes/brake lines, general condition of the tires, charge the battery.
How much fuel is in the tank? If there is quite a bit in the tank I'd start it up on the old gas and run it to empty before putting fresh in, otherwise if its pretty empty I'd just mix fresh in and go. Wouldn't personally mess with trying to drain the tank. Either way, I'd be changing the plugs after the first tank of gas was run through.
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Agreed!
I would be concerned with water if you ran e85 but with normal gas I wouldn't be worried at all. I am in line with what Tabres suggests.
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I would agree with most of what has been said, though, if it were me, I would get the old gas out. I know that 8 year old gas resembles something more akin to turpentine...perhaps 4 years is not long enough for the transformation to be noticeable...
I'd just remove the fuel filter and supply power to the fuel pump and let it empty the tank. At least I would on a 96...the 98 fuel pumps are PWM perhaps? Supplying 12V to the pump on a 98 may be a bad idea?
Also, in my half full tank of 8 year old gas, the walls of the tank above the fuel level were impressively rusty, necessitating tank replacement. There was no separated water however, so I would not worry about hydrolock.
If the tank is full then you will probably be in better shape than if it was nearly empty. No permanent damage is likely to happen if you don't drain the tank, but I still would.
I'd just remove the fuel filter and supply power to the fuel pump and let it empty the tank. At least I would on a 96...the 98 fuel pumps are PWM perhaps? Supplying 12V to the pump on a 98 may be a bad idea?
Also, in my half full tank of 8 year old gas, the walls of the tank above the fuel level were impressively rusty, necessitating tank replacement. There was no separated water however, so I would not worry about hydrolock.
If the tank is full then you will probably be in better shape than if it was nearly empty. No permanent damage is likely to happen if you don't drain the tank, but I still would.
You will be able to tell the condition of the gas when you crack the lines to replace the fuel filter. If it still smells like pure gas, give it a try. If it smells like lacquer or maybe rotten, be best to drop the tank and clean it out. And go ahead and change the oil just for peace of mind.
Yeah these guys got you on track!
This is right on the mark. The gas will have lost some volatility, so don't romp on it until you get new gas in. Gas does not "separate" into gas and water...gas and water don't mix. If there is water in the fuel it will be at the bottom of the tank, and if it gets sucked up will cause a no start, not hydro lock. The injectors don't spray that much liquid!
Yea its hard to explain how old gas smells but once you smell it, you dont forget it. Did you put Stabil in it by chance?
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