Hello guys, I just bought a 1988 wrangler with the I6 cylinder engine. The previous owner said it has been sitting in his barn for over 10 years. I towed it to my house and cleaned it up but have not attempted to start it yet. I would like some information on what steps to take before I start the engine. I don't want to cause any damage by doing something stupid. The previous owner said that it was running when he parked it 10 years ago. Thanks for your help!
I'd be prepared to change the fuel pump and any rubber fuel lines. I'd pull the spark plugs and put a tiny bit of oil in the holes. And let that sit overnight. Then I'd get a new battery. Some fresh gas and see if it'll start. Maybe you'll get lucky and not need a new pump. If it starts I'd shut it down and change the oil if you don't just go ahead and do that first. Then I'd thoroughly check the brake lines especially the rubber parts. Before I attempted to drive it anywhere.
I would put a little atf or pb blaster in each spark plug hole and bar the motor over by hand with a socket on the balancer bolt before I put power to it. Also drain the oil and put in new so it leaks from the head down.
Vehicles are better off being driven then parked for ten years. Usually barn find means that you have to change out everything that is rubber, including body mounts. Driven before last parked is ridiculous, who parks a good running vehicle and lets it sit ? I do wish you good luck, everyone above is right btw.
Must be Desert life. I been to the East Coast. Sand, that crap gets everywhere. Never seen that in a carb rounds these parts and I've had a couple apart. Carbs get the equivalent of slime green algae in the tank and carb here if they sit for years.
I would suggest you drop your tank and clean it with gas and acetone. reinstall and add 5 fresh gallons.
Thanks for the tips everyone. I still haven't started the engine yet but I did drop the tank and replace the fuel pump. Also changed engine oil and turned motor by hand. Gonna throw a battery in it and see what happens this weekend! I'll update after that
Once you get the Jeep running, I suggest that you limit your driving to short trips around the neighborhood until you feel confident to take it on longer drives.
AAA and a cell phone would make me feel more confident.
Post some pics! How many miles? Did the barn mice eat the seats or make a nest in the air cleaner?
I did a Chevy Van this way... it is a 1986 that sat for 12 years with only 14,600 miles. Did a full tune up, fresh battery, fresh gas, new hoses and belts, new tires, new axle seals... Then, after it fired right up I drove it up to 62,000 miles and now the frame is rotting on me so I need to pull the drivetrain for another vehicle by the looks of it.
Take your time, and I second the short trips. I did that for the first month, then took it cross country three times. Twice from MI to MT and once from MI to SC. It is one of my most reliable vehicles to this day as far as running quality. It doesn't knock, tick or smoke. Breath on the key and she fires right up. Pitting is going to depend a lot on its conditions. If sitting wide open without spark plugs or a carb, it would probably be locked up. If you cranked it by hand, and there wasn't any water in the oil, chances are it will run good.
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