Help
Godofwarmike
02-02-2009, 01:23 AM
How would i go about starting a zx2 that hasnt been started in about 3-4 years?
Spray WD-40 into cylinders
Add new gas and dry gas to get water out
Change battery
Possibly change spark plugs (if look bad ie: carbon build up, oil)
Check for spark
Check for gas
Check Fluid Levels
Anything i missed?
Spray WD-40 into cylinders
Add new gas and dry gas to get water out
Change battery
Possibly change spark plugs (if look bad ie: carbon build up, oil)
Check for spark
Check for gas
Check Fluid Levels
Anything i missed?
CL8
02-02-2009, 02:31 AM
Put the key in the ignition and turn it?:grinno:
How about checking the belts
and air filter?
How about checking the belts
and air filter?
denisond3
02-02-2009, 02:46 PM
I would make sure the battery posts and the battery cable terminals were nice and clean, and snugged. I would make sure there was oil in the crankcase and water in the radiator. I might drip some light oil into the cylinders. WD-40 isnt much of a lubricant, but would help soften any rust on the piston rings. It would be nice to put the wd-40 or 3-in-1 oil in a day before you start it. Not a big deal though.
Turn the key 'on' and listen for the fuel pump to run for a second. I would repeat this half a dozen times, to help bring fuel all the way up to the injector rail - so the starter wont have to crank so long.
Then I would try to start it. Dont be surprised if it only runs on 2 or 3 cylinders for a while - this is because some of the injectors may be sticking & a valve might be sticking. If it wont fire at all - then I would check for fuel pressure at the Schrader valve, and check for spark, then check for fouled plugs.
Once its running, have the hood open and look for smoke or flames. You might want to have a garden hose handy. If I was doing this where it was too cold for a garden hose, I would have a fire extinguisher nearby. You can expect some smoke from oil burning off the exhaust manifold, and you can expect a fair amount of valve clatter at first if the car has hydraulic lifters. Look underneath to see if any puddles are forming.
And if its been sitting that long, I would check the brakes by physically cleaning the muck out of the calipers or wheel cylinders and bleeding the system, having a look to see if the brake lines are badly rusted at the back (like up beside the fuel tank where its hard to see), and do a brake test; in the form of a simulated panic stop. I.E. on a back lane where there arent houses, -really- try to push the brake pedal to the firewall. That is where you Want to learn if a brake failure can happen.
Turn the key 'on' and listen for the fuel pump to run for a second. I would repeat this half a dozen times, to help bring fuel all the way up to the injector rail - so the starter wont have to crank so long.
Then I would try to start it. Dont be surprised if it only runs on 2 or 3 cylinders for a while - this is because some of the injectors may be sticking & a valve might be sticking. If it wont fire at all - then I would check for fuel pressure at the Schrader valve, and check for spark, then check for fouled plugs.
Once its running, have the hood open and look for smoke or flames. You might want to have a garden hose handy. If I was doing this where it was too cold for a garden hose, I would have a fire extinguisher nearby. You can expect some smoke from oil burning off the exhaust manifold, and you can expect a fair amount of valve clatter at first if the car has hydraulic lifters. Look underneath to see if any puddles are forming.
And if its been sitting that long, I would check the brakes by physically cleaning the muck out of the calipers or wheel cylinders and bleeding the system, having a look to see if the brake lines are badly rusted at the back (like up beside the fuel tank where its hard to see), and do a brake test; in the form of a simulated panic stop. I.E. on a back lane where there arent houses, -really- try to push the brake pedal to the firewall. That is where you Want to learn if a brake failure can happen.
mightymoose_22
02-02-2009, 11:54 PM
If you have the patience to do it- maybe start with an oil change. After that, remove the spark plugs and disconnect the coil pack... turn the key and let the engine rotate 10-20 seconds to prime the oil pump and get some oil circulating. Then replace the plugs/wires and fire it up. By then you should have fuel pressure built up and have some oil flowing and not have a rough start.
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