Just returned

[bradburns]

Hi there!
I just returned to my garaged mk3. I didn't expect to spend 3 years away from it, so unfortunately it wasn't prepared before I left. This means: old gas, spark plugs, all the fluids, are still in it-- and 3 years old. Obviously, i cant turn it on until I do some work on it.

Any advise you can give me is much appreciated!

for more info, check out my intro

 

[Another MkIII]

I would flush the cooling system. Obviously and oil change and after driving it some it might be a good idea to do a second oil change just to help eliminate any sludge. Change PS fluid, Dif fluid, trans fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid, and carefully inspect for any leaks. Battery replacement wouldn't be a bad idea if its been sitting this long, but that's up to you. Spark plugs and wires can't hurt. Its may also need tires depending on how it was stored. Hope that gives you a place to start.
-AM3

 

[ask92]

Agreed^^..Also check the tires for sidewall cracks,check the PSI..other than that i think just go and drive it a bit...Make sure to take it slow for a while until she warms up..then blow the carbon out if you get the picture

 

[Another MkIII]

The problem is, with tires sitting that long, they will develop a really noticeable flat spot.
-AM3

 

[te72]

Sorry to hear that man, military? Most of what you're gonna need to do has been covered above, but I might offer a caution... someone correct me if I'm wrong, but can't seals dry up if they're not somewhat frequently exposed to fluids? I'd be wary of leaks myself. Then again I flew down to Arizona with my tools and a few hundred dollars in parts and got a Mk2 that hadn't been driven hardly at all in years back up to speed in a few days. Drove it over 1000 miles home, and it still runs to this day.

 

[barkz]

x2 on the seals. Would have been ok if you had someone to start the car/drive it every now and then. But seals will dry rot/crack eventually. So just let it idle for awhile, before any driving at all, that way if a seal fails your not in the middle of a road trip. then just take a look under the car everytime you park it somewhere to stay ahead of a leak if one developes.

 

[metaphysico]

When I first got my car it had been sitting for 3 years, I changed the oil and coolant and drove the hell out of it ahaha. I was not worried about it though, if the motor went I would just replace it. It did not have any dry rot on the tires but they did have flat spots, a few burnouts fixed that though. No oil leaks or burning oil at all. 190k on the motor and it was the original engine, or at least it was replaced with a 89+ and everything was hooked up as stock. Did have to do a hg 3 months and a rod bearing 5 years later after running it low on oil.

Now my car has again been sitting for the last 3 years, but I do go start it a few times a month and move it around to keep the flat spots away. We will see in a few weeks when its back on the road to see if there are any flat spots though.

 

[bradburns]

Wow, thank-you for all the info! Much, much appreciated!