QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I have a general question and I hope you can give some advice. My mother-in-law has a 1986 car that was parked in her driveway about 5 years ago and not driven since. It needed brakes at the time %26 she didn't have any money to have them done. since she had another car she just let it sit. And sit. Now she wants to get rid of it %26 has asked my son if he wants it for free. The car only had about 43000 miles on it when it was parked. I would imagine all the fluids would have to be flushed out %26 replaced, as well as changing out all the hoses and belts. Of course, then the brakes would have to be done. Am I missing something? What else should be done to a car that has been sitting for years?? The car used to run great before it was parked.
ANSWER: Hi
It looks like you have everything covered.
Gasoline will go bad in about 2 months, so it will need to be pumped out as well.
Have a good look at rubber as it will deteriate in the sunshine.
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QUESTION: Hi & thanks for the hint about the rubber & gasoline. I didn't even think about the tires or the gasoline, along with the car battery. I just wanted to know if it was still a good idea to try & get the car going after 5 years of being parked. As long as it isn't a bad idea then I guess it is worth a little money to see if we can get it going. Unless you can think of any reason why it wouldn't be a good idea, or not worth the effort.???
AnswerAbsolutely
If the elements , vandals or rodents haven't done damage, then I would say Yes, Check it over, change the fuel and battery, put air in the tires, check the fluids and Fire it up and go around the block, then if it sounds and feels good (Aside from rust on the brakes), check the rest over and repair the worn rubber, flush the fluids and happy motoring.
