Bringing a 2.4L MFI back to life...

[motogman]

My 72S has been in hibernation (or more correctly I have been negligent in my car pursuits) for about 2-3 years. I am going to bring it back to life shortly and would like to solicit your input for the things to check and do before tuing it over and hopefully hearing it purr again.

Some things I will do...

Manually turn the motor over to make sure there is no oil hydraulic lock from sitting.
Turn the engine without spark to build oil pressure before putting spark to it

Put in fresh fuel - maybe drain as much as possible of the old


What other things are suggested to do or check?

[Rick Cabell]

For sure try to get 99% of the old fuel out.

[edmayo]

I just did this very operation for a customer 2 weeks ago, 72 T sitting for ten years. It was parked due to engine would not crank over,,,,then growing kids and no time!! The car had also been sitting on a jackstand under the right side for 10 years since he had last worked to remove the starter. First task was to remove the aftermarket burglar alarm and all associated wiring, hook up temporary battery, and guess what, engine cranked! Check gas tank, it had been previously coated and it was all coming off in sheets, remove tank. Next, remove spark plugs and pull coil wire from cap and position next to metal coil bracket, turn engine by hand and check for spark. Good spark jumping gap. Next, run fuel hoses into temporary 5 gallon can of gas, reconnect fuel pump plug and test fuel pump for operation. It ran and did not leak. Next crank engine off starter and check for oil pressure,,,,none! Check oil level, it had all leaked out left side valve cover after being tilted that way for 10 years! Drain remainder and refill oil. Crank again, now has pressure. Reinstall spark plugs, and coil wire. crank engine, in about 20 seconds it started and ran smoothly on all cylinders, smoked a little for about 5 minutes then stopped. !0 year hibernation with an MFI car and it basically started right up. The rest of the story is replacing all the fuel lines, gas tank, and some minor fix-it items. Never touched the tune of the engine, it was fine!

[mrgreenjeans]

Thanks Ed for a valuable and cost effective run thru.......

Should save many a mis-spent dollar and futile attempts at a DIY session in the garage.

GREAT set of thorough and concise details, many here will undoubtedly follow on their own sleeping beauties revival

[LongRanger]

. . . a valuable and cost effective run thru.......

Should save many a mis-spent dollar . . . GREAT set of thorough and concise details . . .

I agree . . . great little procedure . . . thanks, Ed