My explorer has been sitting for 5 years

[Rjantz]

What should I do to get it started it was running when I left it there. So I was thinking a battery you spark plugs wires. Maybe drain the gasoline. If anybody else has any helpful remarks or experience with this much would be appreciated. 1994 Explorer

 

[cmhaah06]

If it was running before you parked it, I would say, bar it over just to make sure the engine is still freely spinning (not completely necessary if you know the engine was running fine)... an oil change would probably be high up on the list... I would torque down the valve covers (the explorers were notorious for leaky valve covers)... if your draining the gasoline you might as well change your fuel filter... check the plugs make sure they aren't foul and wires to make sure they haven't been chewed on by critters.... if the plugs look good and wires are still in good shape, new oil, new fuel filter and new battery, I'd say start her up.

 

[Rjantz]

If it was running before you parked it, I would say, bar it over just to make sure the engine is still freely spinning (not completely necessary if you know the engine was running fine)... an oil change would probably be high up on the list... I would torque down the valve covers (the explorers were notorious for leaky valve covers)... if your draining the gasoline you might as well change your fuel filter... check the plugs make sure they aren't foul and wires to make sure they haven't been chewed on by critters.... if the plugs look good and wires are still in good shape, new oil, new fuel filter and new battery, I'd say start her up.

Hey thank you for the information.

 

[Roadrunner777]

5 years is real borderline for gasoline. Even with stabilizer added, it gets a little nasty after 2 years. I think I would siphon out the tank and see if it has turned green and stinky. If so, you want to dilute the dregs that are left in the tank with at least 10 gallons of fresh gas and expect to change the fuel filter after you have run it a while. New oil obviously, and as the previous poster suggested, I might turn the crank a bit... a full turn would be plenty, just to break the bearings loose and keep from frying the starter on the first start. Good luck!

 

[Rjantz]

5 years is real borderline for gasoline. Even with stabilizer added, it gets a little nasty after 2 years. I think I would siphon out the tank and see if it has turned green and stinky. If so, you want to dilute the dregs that are left in the tank with at least 10 gallons of fresh gas and expect to change the fuel filter after you have run it a while. New oil obviously, and as the previous poster suggested, I might turn the crank a bit... a full turn would be plenty, just to break the bearings loose and keep from frying the starter on the first start. Good luck!

Thank you for the input. I am learning from these posts what to do cuz I wasn't sure how to start this project.so I really appreciate all the help I can get thank you.

 

[410Fortune]

How full was the fuel tank?
For storage you want them as full as possible, it helps keep moisture out

 

[shran]

In addition to everything mentioned above I'd check your air filter/air box and heater fan housing for mouse nests. The little *******s like to nest in those two spots in particular... if they chew through the air filter, you could suck a whole nest into the engine. They also like to live behind the rear interior panels under the windows.

Dunno how necessary it is to change plus/wires... won't hurt but those don't go bad from sitting. Fuel issues will be the most likely thing here.

 

[Rjantz]

In addition to everything mentioned above I'd check your air filter/air box and heater fan housing for mouse nests. The little *******s like to nest in those two spots in particular... if they chew through the air filter, you could suck a whole nest into the engine. They also like to live behind the rear interior panels under the windows.

Dunno how necessary it is to change plus/wires... won't hurt but those don't go bad from sitting. Fuel issues will be the most likely thing here.

Thank you for the information.

 

[J$hort]

Brakes tend to want to lock up after sitting a while. I'd pull the wheels and inspect pads, rotors, drums to see that everything is in order. Maybe spray all down with brake cleaner and lube/anti seize all the working parts. I revived my 95 Sport after about 5 years of sitting. All the basic filters, oil change, radiator flush. Probably want to clean/power wash body, undercarriage and even engine. You'd be surprised what a good cleaning will do to improve and maybe even uncover some issues.

 

[Sam@OR]

In addition to these Most Excellent suggestions - and especially if the vehicle has been sitting outdoors - I'd recommend you get a can of Ford-recommended HVAC deodorize/disinfectant product and dump that into the air intake just below the passenger windshield. After five years, I'm willing to bet there's a bit of a *****y smell in the blower box....

 

[JustinGibson]

As others said change your oil. Make sure you have coolant. I would pull the plugs and shoot a little bit of oil in each cylinder with a medicine syringe or something for safe measure. You can unplug your coil pack and injectors and it turn it over a few times before you fire it up.
Once you get it running then you should check the transmission fluid and check brakes out.
Good luck

 

[Larryholmes]

I don’t think after getting the engine started you’re going to roll out well after sitting so long. The tire rubber will have dried and hardened. Even if you have the extra thick rear sway bar it’ll be squirrelly in the back end going around corners, no matter how much tread is left.

 

[RickOTR]

Before starting that truck, remove the spark plugs and pour a tablespoon of Marvin Mystery Oil into each cylinder and let it sit over night. Then turn it over using a pry bar and don't force it. Replace all fluids is the best way to go.

 

[dejen3303]

What should I do to get it started it was running when I left it there. So I was thinking a battery you spark plugs wires. Maybe drain the gasoline. If anybody else has any helpful remarks or experience with this much would be appreciated. 1994 Explorer

Be sure to pull the plugs and squirt some oil into the cylinders.

 

[jr230]

What should I do to get it started it was running when I left it there. So I was thinking a battery you spark plugs wires. Maybe drain the gasoline. If anybody else has any helpful remarks or experience with this much would be appreciated. 1994 Explorer

flush and bleed brake fluid, check hoses and new anti freeze green stuff get full strength and a gallon of distilled water you cannot get all gas without dropping the tank so unless its full put 5 gal hi test, some cleaner in tank
possibly fuel filter i have a 99 2d ohv v6 my runs but needs clutch i might put it back on the road i really like it
my current one is a 04 4door ohc 6 good truck but the 99 stick is fun to drive bad part the slave cyl is combined with throw out bearing requiring trans to come out

 

[TDG]

In addition to everything mentioned above I'd check your air filter/air box and heater fan housing for mouse nests. The little *******s like to nest in those two spots in particular... if they chew through the air filter, you could suck a whole nest into the engine.

X2

My 93 was parked in Los Angeles for 8 years; they chewed through the vacuum lines (couldn't tell where the lines had been) much of the wiring (bare copper all over) and chewed the HVAC box into pieces along with the vent fan (it's plastic) took awhile to sort out that mess.

Fuel pump / strainer / sending unit was also a complete messy glob of goo.

 

[dcgerard]

I bought a 92 xlt that sat for 5 years. I can tell you from experience don't trust the tires. I had to redo some vacuum lines too. The front brake calipers would lock up so they had to be swapped out. My radiator cracked after 200ish miles of being back on the road. My rear diff started dripping at 100ish miles. Radiator fan cracked, and the fan clutch wasn't doing so hot. For good measure I swapped out the fuel filter too, but I ran a couple of tanks of gas through first, so the old filter would collect the trash. Spark plug wires where a huge must also. Truck ran like garbage till I swapped them out. Since then I've put close to 3000 miles and no new surprises.

 

[J$hort]

RJantz, this thread will keep you busy! Send updates/pics/questions as you go. Your experience will be helpful to all. Just a reminder to check the play in the front hubs. I am in need of replacement and was thinking it would be a good time to replace when you have all the brakes off. I'd stick with Moog or Timken.