# Tips for firing up a long dormant engine. **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [May 11, 2008, 6:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232 "2008-05-11T06:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 6:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/1 "2008-05-11T06:58:37Z")
I have a Ford 2.3 that hasn’t run in 20ish years. However everything seems in check but I just want to make sure all the basics have been covered. -I’ve changed the timing belt, and accessory belts. -Verifed the carb is clean, clear, and all linkages are able to freely move. -Changed fluids/filters -Put oil down the cylenders for lubrication. -Turned the motor by hand in hopes of getting oil where it needs to be. -Cleared any visable debris from the coolant passages -Verified Waterpump, and Alt freely turn. Just want to make sure I’m not missing anything before I attempt to fire it up next week. And see if anyone has any useful input. ---
**Author:** ![dogpile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dogpile](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dogpile)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/2 "2008-05-11T07:49:07Z")
When I started my car after only two years of storage, I did exactly what you did. I also pulled the fuel pump fuse to build oil pressure first (but you’re carbed so that’s pretty much moot). I also drained my fuel tank and put fresh gas in there, but I’m sure you did the same, especially after 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![99\_civic\_si](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/99_civic_si/32/7319_2.png) [@99\_civic\_si](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/99_civic_si)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/3 "2008-05-11T07:52:38Z")
The only thing I can think of is maybe taking the water pump off to take a look at what things look like on the inside where coolant once ran. Coolant when it sits, typically ends up turning into this flakey powdery shit, that may clog your cooling system. It also may even get oxidized all on the inside of the water passages. Other than that, sounds like everything is good to go. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/4 "2008-05-11T08:30:50Z")
20 years… change fluids, fully charge battery, ad a little oil to the cylinders via spark plug holes remove fuel and spark source, crank engine over 10 seonds at a time do not overheat starter, look for oil pressure, then proceed to reinstall spark plugs, fuel source and start engine. Set timing, idle etc depending on what you can set. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Pauly](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pauly/32/7493_2.png) [@Pauly](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pauly)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/5 "2008-05-11T09:31:07Z")
^ good advice- Priming the oil system would be a really good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/6 "2008-05-11T10:18:11Z")
i would actually flush the fuel system aswell. Old fuel can make a mess of the inside of the lines, not to mention it burns terrible and makes the car run like shit. ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/7 "2008-05-11T14:26:36Z")
What don said. Ford 2.3\_? ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/8 "2008-05-12T06:31:01Z")
2.3L front-sump, carbed no turbo here. Engine has been out of the car, and stored inside for about 20ish or more years, no fuel anywhere, same goes for the coolant passages which have little rust. Though I didn’t think about checking the pump out though, I’ll inspect that. And the distributor as well, I’ll post up results once I get to that point hopefully next weekend. Thanks for the advice. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![justa4door](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/justa4door/32/7259_2.png) [@justa4door](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/justa4door)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 6:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/9 "2008-05-12T06:42:15Z")
just start it… and rev the piss out of it … i think you did all the nes. things ---
**Author:** ![Minglor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/minglor/32/7373_2.png) [@Minglor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Minglor)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/10 "2008-05-12T13:31:26Z")
rev 'er to 9 ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tips-for-firing-up-a-long-dormant-engine/48232/11 "2008-05-12T13:34:04Z")
video tape startup