Starting a car that has been sitting
 

Like the rest of the lemmings it has been decided that we are heading to my parents for the Easter weekend. That came out bad, I am really looking forward to going but not to having to travel on 95 on Sunday. Anyways my parents still have the 73 bug that a learned to drive in, and it has been sitting for awhile. When I say awhile at least since last summer not sure if longer than that or not. I know the battery is dead, so I will replace that. Other than that I am not sure what I am getting in to.

My question is can you guys help me come up with a checklist of things I should check to get it started? I know spark and fuel but is there anything else. It's been kept in a fairly warm climate, AL and now southern NC, so do I have to worry about the gas having gone bad?

I will probably be giving it a look over on Fri morning so then I will have a better description of what I am facing. Just thought I would post it up so the brain trust could be thinking in advance.

If the gas did not have stabilizer in it there is a decent chance it is going bad. I don't remember if the '73 was carbeurated but if it was I'd drain the bowl and let it refill while you turn the engine over (spark disabled) to get the oil pressure up before starting. That way you will have better fuel in the bowl for starting. This advice worth everything you paid for. :lol:

Hope it goes well.

It was (this was my first car, too)

Bring a fresh battery and some new gas and fire it up.

Can of starter fluid [anti-knock] ... fuses ... charger in case you run new battery down ....

x2 exc it was a 1974

That thing should be an easy start. thinking of putting a 3.2 in it?

Pull the plugs and spin it up to get the oil moving first ;) Try and get some clean fuel through the lines.Look for rodents or other foreign objects.
Dirk

It's been parked in a garage for most of the time it has been sitting. In Dec when I went home last, I found that the battery was dead. I pulled it and put it on a trickle charger and it wouldn't even hold a charge.

When you guys say turn it over to get the oil moving, are you saying pull the plugs and turn it over by hand? Similar to when you turn the 911 motor over doing a valve adjustment?

Does the tank on bugs have a drain? Do I need to drain the gas or just mix some fresh in with it?

Now I know why you all drive Porsches--liked the style, but were frustrated with the lack of power. Notice that none of you who got your start in a bug are now driving fo-fo's. ;)

It should start right up. Didn't you see Sleeper? :D

Not sure how easy it is to pull the plugs, but if you can, makes it easier to turn her over and run it on the battery untill you see some oil pressure, a minute should be enough. Should not need to drain the fuel, but if you can get rid of what is in the carb and maybe the lines without setting it on fire. Maybe start a new thread on an engine drop for the bug.
Dirk