Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have an 09 Lincoln MKS that's been sitting in the garage for almost 3 years. The car was in great shape--but the battery died and we never bothered getting new one (we have two other cars & the Lincoln was rarely driven anyway)so we just let the car sit unused.
I was wondering if y'all might be able to give me an idea of how much it would cost to get the car running again. I'm not sure how much gas was left in it when it was parked the last time. I know the gas will need to be drained, but I am not going to be able to do any of the work myself.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,576 posts, read 81,167,557 times
Reputation: 57808
Yes, there are variables. A rat can do a thousand dollars in damage to wiring, and gas that old can clog injectors. If very lucky, it's drain and flush the tank and fuel lines, change the battery, check tire pressure and all fluids, and go. Seems like the low would be a couple of hundred plus a tow, but that too depends on costs where you are.
How much gas was in the tank? If a half tank or less, I would be inclined to take more gas and a battery to the car and start it. You might not have to do much at all. An elderly relatives car had this happen, a new battery and air in the tires was all it took. It was topped off and then driven 8 hours.
I'd look over the tires carefully and all the hoses and belts, too. Rubber dries out. I'd change all the fluids, too. The brake calipers might be stuck. Or stick the first time they're used. It's not good for a machine to sit when it's made to be used. Age as well as use contributes to deterioration.
All id do is throw in a new battery and check the fluids and see if it starts. I wouldn't worry about draining the gas but maybe top it off with some premium before trying to start it.
I'd do what has already been suggested plus I'd put in maybe a quart of the proper oil to lube the top of the engine for that first start. Sitting for 3 years most of the oil will be sitting in the pan. If you could turn the motor over several times by hand without starting it that would be good.
New battery, and a gas additive since water has probably formed from condensation.
2009 is modern and I bet it will start right up with a jump.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I sold my '89 Mercedes 300CE. It had been sitting in the garage for just over seven years! All I needed to do was replace the battery and pump up the tires. When the purchaser came to pick it up, I asked if I could start it. He said "sure". It coughed and hesitated a moment, then fired right up. We drove it around the block a couple of times before he disconnected the drive shaft to tow it home.
He is a Mercedes mechanic, so I assume he would know the ramifications of starting a automobile that had been sitting for seven years. (Gas tank was full or nearly so.)
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
