Civic sits for 3 years

[joebmx]

i am about to pick up a 94 civic from a friend who has left it sitting in the garage for almost 3 years now. It supposedly ran when when he parked it, though you wouldn't guess from the looks of it. Anyway I am about to take it off his hands for next to nothing, well exactly that, he makes bank and has afforded much nicer cars, why it has been sitting and is giving it to me for a bicycle, sweet deal.

My question is, what do i need to be thinking about when starting up a car that has sat for almost 3 years. Granted the battery needs to be charged/replaced and I will give it an oil change probably before I even start it up, but what else? should I treat the engine with something before putting in new oil, what does 3 year old oil look like/do to the engine? I know to check belts and fluids that's easy, how long do i run her for before taking her out on the road? Run her easy, a short trip around the block? Any thoughts you have would be great! This is really so I can get her out for a test drive and not do any damage to the engine. I am happy to put a few bucks in to make sure that she is running as best she can before I do decide to take or invest in her. My GL is my project car right now, I don't need another requiring engine work. Thanks.

[john in KY]

Drain the gasoline and change the fuel filters before doing much of anything else.

[zukiru]

you'll mostly be dealing with old gas issues..

 

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