NSX sitting for 6 years...okay to drive?

[Meeyatch1]

So I was having a discussion with a friend about an NSX that I am aware of that has been sitting in a garage, covered but not started, for almost 6 years. The question becomes if it would be okay to start and drive the car after sitting for that long? I am of the opinion that if you drove it directly to a dealership and had the oil and coolant changed, it would be okay to drive the several hundred miles home to do the rest of the services and fluid changes without hurting the car. The car was not in need of any mechanical work when parked. What is the opinion here? To me it is right in that gray area where I am not sure how long is 'too long' to sit before having to worry about safety on the street with regards to other fluids and wearable parts sitting without use, and just want to be safe.

 

[NSX 2]

Does it have any gas in it? I would recommend full fluid changes, oil, coolant, and flush out the feul system and add fresh gas. My intuition says mechaniclly it should be fine, just might need some initial break-in.

 

[04HondaNSX]

So I was having a discussion with a friend about an NSX that I am aware of that has been sitting in a garage, covered but not started, for almost 6 years. The question becomes if it would be okay to start and drive the car after sitting for that long? I am of the opinion that if you drove it directly to a dealership and had the oil and coolant changed, it would be okay to drive the several hundred miles home to do the rest of the services and fluid changes without hurting the car. The car was not in need of any mechanical work when parked. What is the opinion here? To me it is right in that gray area where I am not sure how long is 'too long' to sit before having to worry about safety on the street with regards to other fluids and wearable parts sitting without use, and just want to be safe.

I would have your friend do a oil change himself. Since the car has been sitting up so long the oil will be at the bottom of the engine by now and leaving the upper half completely un-oiled. In starting the engine can cause ALOT of damage and can even lock up the motor. We had to do this to our 72' SuperBeetle after starting the engine after 7-8 years. After doing the oil change he could go to dealership get all the other fluids refreshed but as for now he needs to do it himself unless he could just get a tow truck and take it there himself.

 

[RedWings]

Was the fuel system emptied / conditioned / mothballed correctly?
thats the main concern since 6 year old fuel = probably bad fuel

Is the car on blocks or on tires? the tires may have flattened over time if sitting for six years and you have to ask yourself if you really want to drive a few hundred miles on old rubber

Personally, I would haul the car in an enclosed trailer, you can usually rent a 20'/24' fairly cheap if you have a decent 3/4 truck to pull it to your dealer/mechanic of choice and then have all the rehab done at once.

Why risk a side of the road breakdown with old fuel, oil, tires, battery, and ????

 

[Meeyatch1]

Does it have any gas in it? I would recommend full fluid changes, oil, coolant, and flush out the feul system and add fresh gas. My intuition says mechaniclly it should be fine, just might need some initial break-in.

Yes. Fromw what I understand he just pulled it in the garage, parked it, and called it a day....6 years ago.

That is a good point. Depending on how much gas is in there, would topping it off with fresh gas and putting some octane boost in there help to flush out the bad stuff?

 

[Meeyatch1]

Was the fuel system emptied / conditioned / mothballed correctly?
thats the main concern since 6 year old fuel = probably bad fuel

Is the car on blocks or on tires? the tires may have flattened over time if sitting for six years and you have to ask yourself if you really want to drive a few hundred miles on old rubber

Personally, I would haul the car in an enclosed trailer, you can usually rent a 20'/24' fairly cheap if you have a decent 3/4 truck to pull it to your dealer/mechanic of choice and then have all the rehab done at once.

Why risk a side of the road breakdown with old fuel, oil, tires, battery, and ????

I just sold my truck (DOH!!) or I would do just that. It has been sitting on the tires for 6 years, so flat spotting is almost a guarantee. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[shawn110975]

change oil and filter def before you do any of this.

on the bottom of the NSX gas tank there is a bolt 15mm if i remember correctly you cant miss it, see how much the gas gauge is telling you. and estimate how much gas is still in the car.
if its a full tank then remove the bolt and drain it all.
if its a half, drain it all.
if its at a quarter tank. then you should fill the tank fully with brand new gas that should dilute the old crap. turn the ign to acc and hear the gas pump build pressure, then open the engine bay and see if gas is spraying or dripping.
after that make sure it a new battery and try and start her.
if she starts I would rev it up to 5-6K a few times to break up anything in the engine.

def check the air filter, rats and mice like to climb into it and make a nice warm fuzzy home.

open the front hood and check for rat poop they could have chewed wires etc. during this FEMA Temp Home 6-year stay.

after the car is running for 15-20 minutes, touch the radiator is it warm? than you should be good.
if its cold then your car is not pumping coolant TURN THE CAR OFF and have it towed to a dealer. cuz you will F-it up with no coolant.

good luck and take some pics of this barn yard find thing

 

[bobert486]

hey mitch if this car is local id love to help. Menard's has truck rentals rather inexpensive if the car needs to hauled to a dealership. note, the particles normally suspended in motor oil has probably settled on the bottom of the pan. I would prefer to drain the 6 year old oil prior to initial startup. then drive it around and right before another oil change, use some motor flush/marvel mystery oil in the crankcase to help loosen up stubborn particles. Ive been doing this with my tempermental bmw for a few cycles now. So far my 'guarenteed to fail just a matter of when', vanos system has been holding up excellent(knock on desk).

 

[SOURCE 1]

Mitch, DO NOT START OR DRIVE THE CAR. It is not worth the risk.

Take it to a shop, Drain everything. Install ALL new fluids. Drain fuel no matter how much is in there.

As Shawn said, verify nothing is in the intake box or hoses. Verify there are not chewed wires in both bays and under dash. Was this a rural area? Or city? Possible for mice? Basically go over everything before it is started. I have done this probably 10-12 times in the past and have never had a failure of any hard parts after this process. Once it runs. Then the fun begins.

The A/c probably will not work, if it has a charge the compressor will still probably not work. Drive the car with the a/c button on for several hundred miles it will usually come on and one day you will be like " wait? what the hell? The a/c works..." The clutches on the compressor usually stick but WILL work themselves loose. We just recently ran into this.

Also the turn signals probably wont cancel themselves. The above " driving and using them" will more than likely fix it on its own also. Both of these things just happened one one we had that sat for years.

If you need any guidance you know the number man.

 

[Meeyatch1]

Mitch, DO NOT START OR DRIVE THE CAR. It is not worth the risk.

Take it to a shop, Drain everything. Install ALL new fluids. Drain fuel no matter how much is in there.

As Shawn said, verify nothing is in the intake box or hoses. Verify there are not chewed wires in both bays and under dash. Was this a rural area? Or city? Possible for mice? Basically go over everything before it is started. I have done this probably 10-12 times in the past and have never had a failure of any hard parts after this process. Once it runs. Then the fun begins.

The A/c probably will not work, if it has a charge the compressor will still probably not work. Drive the car with the a/c button on for several hundred miles it will usually come on and one day you will be like " wait? what the hell? The a/c works..." The clutches on the compressor usually stick but WILL work themselves loose. We just recently ran into this.

Also the turn signals probably wont cancel themselves. The above " driving and using them" will more than likely fix it on its own also. Both of these things just happened one one we had that sat for years.

If you need any guidance you know the number man.

Hey man! Yes, I agree, and have started to poke around and get estimates from shipping companies to find out how much it would take to ship it without starting it. Initially my thoughts were along the lines of having it towed to a dealership, and having them just change the oil and drain the gas and then hop in and drive home. Now (with the help of you kind gentlemen here) I am thinking that shipping it without starting it and then just doing everything when it gets here is a much better option. Heck, most of the parts and fluids I can change on my own, and it would be pretty fun to do (I enjoy working on and restoring cars on my own anyway), and if there were any 'surprises', as least I would be at my house (or close to the SOURCE1 shop) instead of in the middle of nowhere.

 

[davidf]

Check the tires. Setting 6 years I imagine they have flat spots but you won't know until you drive it. Believe me, you'll know it around 55 mph.

 

[SOURCE 1]

Hey man! Yes, I agree, and have started to poke around and get estimates from shipping companies to find out how much it would take to ship it without starting it. Initially my thoughts were along the lines of having it towed to a dealership, and having them just change the oil and drain the gas and then hop in and drive home. Now (with the help of you kind gentlemen here) I am thinking that shipping it without starting it and then just doing everything when it gets here is a much better option. Heck, most of the parts and fluids I can change on my own, and it would be pretty fun to do (I enjoy working on and restoring cars on my own anyway), and if there were any 'surprises', as least I would be at my house (or close to the SOURCE1 shop) instead of in the middle of nowhere.

+1 Smartest idea.. Were always here to help.

Oh and the tires.... Yea get new ones.

 

[RedWings]

...as least I would be at my house (or close to the SOURCE1 shop) instead of in the middle of nowhere.

A planned haul is likely cheaper and definitely less stressful than a rescue tow.

...and you won't eff anything up in the process either

@SourceOne - excellent advice

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I agree with all above about the fluids, etc. I also have one other comment. You have an engine sitting for 6 years. Bearings are probably dry, and changing the oil will not cure that. You should remove the fuel pump fuse(or you can disconnect the fuel injector resistor pak on the passenger side of the engine bay) and crank the car until you see some oil pressure, oil flowing, BEFORE you actually start the engine. This is a situation where a spun bearing is all too common. After it starts, no revving for a few minutes. You want to make sure the entire top end is oiled as well.

On engines sitting this long I have also experienced clogged injectors. If that is the case I do have a few tricks. PM me, or ask at the NSXPO2011 Tech Sessions on Friday.

My $.02

Regards,
LarryB

 

[SOURCE 1]

I agree with all above about the fluids, etc. I also have one other comment. You have an engine sitting for 6 years. Bearings are probably dry, and changing the oil will not cure that. You should remove the fuel pump fuse(or you can disconnect the fuel injector resistor pak on the passenger side of the engine bay) and crank the car until you see some oil pressure, oil flowing, BEFORE you actually start the engine. This is a situation where a spun bearing is all too common. After it starts, no revving for a few minutes. You want to make sure the entire top end is oiled as well.

On engines sitting this long I have also experienced clogged injectors. If that is the case I do have a few tricks. PM me, or ask at the NSXPO2011 Tech Sessions on Friday.

My $.02

Regards,
LarryB

Great advice that I did forget! Thats why your the man Larry!

 

[Meeyatch1]

I will let everyone know what happens. Still have to arrange to see it in person in its current state, and make sure everything is in order.

 

[rebelsoldier1860]

mine was sitting for 15 years... I put a battery in it and started it right up

The oil was still gold and the fluids not murky. I have put about 1100 miles since then without a problem.

I think a lot of people have fear of these cars and treat them too brittle. I did an analysis of the rubber on the T-belt, rubber coolant hoses, and vacuum lines at work and the rubber was still in good shape. Of course a lot of factors went into why mine was in good condition.

On a side note, I am replacing the T-belt and water pump and doing a full fluid flush, because this puts the cars in a no worry mode for me mentally.

 

[clr1024]

I did an analysis of the rubber on the T-belt, rubber coolant hoses, and vacuum lines at work and the rubber was still in good shape. .

What kind of analysis?

 

[Meeyatch1]

mine was sitting for 15 years... I put a battery in it and started it right up

The oil was still gold and the fluids not murky. I have put about 1100 miles since then without a problem.

I think a lot of people have fear of these cars and treat them too brittle. I did an analysis of the rubber on the T-belt, rubber coolant hoses, and vacuum lines at work and the rubber was still in good shape. Of course a lot of factors went into why mine was in good condition.

On a side note, I am replacing the T-belt and water pump and doing a full fluid flush, because this puts the cars in a no worry mode for me mentally.

Wasn't your car only sitting for 5 years, not 15? Your thread said it had a bunch of service work done in 2006 by the previous owner. Plus, I think your car was stored properly with fuel stabilizer and such, and in a climate controlled garage. This one was literally parked, covered, and left without any attention or eye towards preservation, which is why we are probably looking to go on the side of caution. I wish it has been stored properly.

 

[warrenw]

I agree with all above about the fluids, etc. I also have one other comment. You have an engine sitting for 6 years. Bearings are probably dry, and changing the oil will not cure that. You should remove the fuel pump fuse(or you can disconnect the fuel injector resistor pak on the passenger side of the engine bay) and crank the car until you see some oil pressure, oil flowing, BEFORE you actually start the engine. This is a situation where a spun bearing is all too common. After it starts, no revving for a few minutes. You want to make sure the entire top end is oiled as well.

On engines sitting this long I have also experienced clogged injectors. If that is the case I do have a few tricks. PM me, or ask at the NSXPO2011 Tech Sessions on Friday.

My $.02

Regards,
LarryB

just went through this with a car that sat for 15 years.... Larry has the right idea about cranking it without fuel...
with the car in Edmonton, varnished fuel seemed to be the biggest issues. Change the fuel filter! We had other fuel varnish issues also.

 

[latzke]

You have an engine sitting for 6 years. Bearings are probably dry, and changing the oil will not cure that. You should remove the fuel pump fuse(or you can disconnect the fuel injector resistor pak on the passenger side of the engine bay) and crank the car until you see some oil pressure, oil flowing, BEFORE you actually start the engine. This is a situation where a spun bearing is all too common. After it starts, no revving for a few minutes. You want to make sure the entire top end is oiled as well.

So how long does it take to get the engine "too dry" of oil? 6 years is too long...but plenty of people let theirs sit for 6 months over the winter. I figured not much would change once you got beyond a couple months of sitting...but it sounds like this isn't the case...so I'm curious: "How long is too long?"

 

[Meeyatch1]

So how long does it take to get the engine "too dry" of oil? 6 years is too long...but plenty of people let theirs sit for 6 months over the winter. I figured not much would change once you got beyond a couple months of sitting...but it sounds like this isn't the case...so I'm curious: "How long is too long?"

That is a great question. What is the 'point of no return' for just hopping in and starting the car, and having to trailer it to a dealership?

 

[Rob4092xx]

I would do whatever Larry B. says!

 

[kookoo4nsx]

I agree. It wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs and spray some oil in each cyl. You could hit the key for 3-4 revolutions with the plugs out to line each cylinder with lube. We do this with outboards after prolonged storage.

I agree with all above about the fluids, etc. I also have one other comment. You have an engine sitting for 6 years. Bearings are probably dry, and changing the oil will not cure that. You should remove the fuel pump fuse(or you can disconnect the fuel injector resistor pak on the passenger side of the engine bay) and crank the car until you see some oil pressure, oil flowing, BEFORE you actually start the engine. This is a situation where a spun bearing is all too common. After it starts, no revving for a few minutes. You want to make sure the entire top end is oiled as well.

On engines sitting this long I have also experienced clogged injectors. If that is the case I do have a few tricks. PM me, or ask at the NSXPO2011 Tech Sessions on Friday.

My $.02

Regards,
LarryB

 

[Meeyatch1]

My conversation today with a Service Advisor at Acura while I was there getting a brake master cylinder replaced, and asking him what they would do to get the car in question running again:

Advisor: 'Did you say 280,000 miles?'

Me: 'Yes. Give or take a few.'

Advisor: 'Wow...just, wow....ummm...'

Me: 'Yes, I know.'

Advisor: 'Why would you buy a car with that many miles that sat for so long?'

Me: 'Because I am a glutton for punishment. LOL! Just kidding. I love the NSXs, and really want to get this car restored and back on the road again.'

Advisor: 'How often do you go to the river boat casino?'

Me: 'I don't. I do not gamble.'

Advisor: 'Well, you are now.'


I had never thought about it like that until he put it in those words. He further explained that after that amount of time, everything is a gamble. Brakes could be seized up and go bad. CV boots could be bad. As he put it, 'Imagine that everything that moves in that car could possibly need to be replaced from sitting for so long'. Oh boy....what may I be getting myself into here.