Do I do anything special to start after sitting for a while?

My Euro QV sits for up to three months at a time while I'm away at work. All I ever do is throw a battery charger on it throughout the day, then fire it up the next.

Some of the best advice I've gotten from my friend/mechanic that helped put my mind at ease was .. they're just a car, they don't run on magic

 

as said by Kim, even three-four months are not a problem. I always disconnect the battery when the car is parked. I charge for a day the disconnected battery every two months (or three) and when I start the car after two (or three months) I do a miss start or a long start to let the engine turning a bit before starting. In any case it's not a problem: don't worry. The biggest problem is the gasoline: it becomes old in the fuel distributor and this could affect the fuel distributor membrane (here I had that problem to two 1983 cars). I will search for a fuel additive

ciao

 

A QV will always start, even after 3/4 months waiting.
That is the big advantage for having a 308 with fuel injection.
My QV is always on a battery charger/conditioner to keep the battery in good condition.

So you don't have to do anything. Like Alberto says, the fuel can be an issue.
After three months I would fill up the car with fresh fuel during the first drive, even if it is still 70% full.

 

that's the opposite

The carbed car will always start.

The F.I. maybe not (for example, if you have a leak from the cold start injector the car won't start ever until you disconnect it).

The carbed car will always start, maybe with some difficulties, but it will start.

ciao

 

Injected cars will always start easier than carbed cars. That's what I am talking about.

Injected cars are running in 1/2 seconds, carbed cars take way more time. And you can get a lot of issues with carbs of course when they have been dry for months.

 

You are a lucky man!

ciao

 

I'd highly recommend attending church prior and crossing your fingers, then church again after she starts. Be ever thankful.

 

The longest period of sitting of my carb car was six months while we were renovating our home and building my garage.
Fuel tanks were full and car started without the slightest problem. But following that, the engine had a little issue with rough idling and occasional sputtering at low revs.
An italian tune-up eliminated it. I think, that the fuel in the float chambers slowly began to deteriorate and generate solid residue.
Three to four months over the winter were never a problem.

Best Regards
Martin

 

The other thing to do is after it is running, drive it until all the fluids are up to temp.

You want to burn off moisture, make sure your oil temp gets past 180 and keep it there for a while. Get it good and hot and enjoy it before parking it again.

 

I use a product called Stabil when the car is put away for the winter. It helps minimize moisture in the fuel. I also use Chevron Techron as a Fuel Additive, it apparently helps keep the Injectors and Fuel system from getting gummed up. Just my personal opinion, I am sure others have their own opinions on the pro's and con's of fuel additives!

 

How much ethanol in your gasoline? That makes a big difference in how well the carb handles peiods of inactivity.

 

I do the same.

Always have

 

There is actually an important step:

When I first get into the garage, I tenderly hug her and whisper into her ear (air intake) "I missed you, it's been so long", then I get into her and slowly run my hands all inside her, feeling her every contour. then I reach for her excitement button (ignition switch) and bring her to life.

Bring flowers too.

 

I think we have a very low amount or almost zero, as we usually here don't have any problem with carbs: but I don't know so I could be wrong.

Our gasoline eats the K-Jetronic fuel distributor membrane.

ciao

 

Techron is good stuff. However, if you regularly fill up with Chevron or Texaco branded gasoline, you are already getting Techron. If you decide to supplement with an additional bottle of Techron, do it close to a planned oil change. A big dose from a bottle of deposit control additive like Techron will find its way into your crankcase.

 

I would just add; use the Techron with half tanks or less fuel thus concentrating the Techron. Works even better.

 

^^ This made my day! Haha

 

I rock my car on it's suspension, before starting it after storage, in order to well mix the fuel in case there is any water or other foreign matter in the tank. Just as you should mix your fuel can well before filling equipment, this can help prevent getting a large amount of a contaminant at one time through the fuel lines. It will help break up and disperse any collected condensation so it can better be handled by fuel additives, and so that just a little at a time is drawn in and more easily and harmlessly burned off, if there be any. As well, it will spread/blend any additives you've installed, so they do their job well.

 

I just use it like any other cars. No matter been sitting for a few days to months, it starts and drives just like any car. Have not been using battery charger for a few years now and no problem. Longest sitting was 3 1/2 months and it started right up.

 

Steven,

I assume you do some preventive measures regarding moisture in the region where you live. Am I correct? I ask, since the Bosch K-Jetronic is sensitive regarding damp environment while sitting for prolonged periods. This applies to all cars with that injection system. I have even seen a VW Golf GTI Mk.I which sat for one year inside a damp barn and suffered damage to the fuel distributor beyond repair.

Best
Martin

 

I have left my '89 328 unattended for as long as 7 months, but typically 4-5 months with the battery disconnected (and fuel stabilizer in the gas). When I return I connect the battery and start the car. It starts as if it had been running the day before. I do not use a battery charger. I put in the fuel stabilizer, add gas to the tank and run the car for about 10 miles before storage.

 

I always fill my car in the winter with ethanol free gas and hook it up to a battery tender. Also..I have found keeping the car in a heated garage helps to prevent coolant leaks. Other than that, it always starts up great after sitting for a while.

 

Martin, actually I didn't do any moisture preventive measures for the mechanical parts in the past 4 years but just the interior. Only a regular car cover was used but it can't stop moisture ingress I believe. But, my place is not really that humid as it's not near the seaside.

 

Just to note:

Some people are talking about leaving their cars connected to a battery charger when the car is not in use (which may well simply be a case of people using a generic term out of old habits - I know I tend to!), but just in case:

It's better to make sure your using a battery tender or conditioner that actively monitors the health of the battery, rather than the old style chargers that simply keep applying a trickle charge non-stop without monitoring the battery condition.


I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted here, but I thought it would be a good idea to mention it.