Things that can go wrong (car off road for a while)

stephendevlin

I have a car off the road for the last 2 years. Its outside. What are the common problems of reviving a car of this length of time off the road.

Its an automatic.

Ive heard you cant tow an auto car either.

The brakes are an obvious thing. Anything else go very wrong due to neglect?

Jimdagym

Probably need a new battery and 4 new tyres to start with.

stephendevlin

Any major things that can go wrong with the engine?

mickdw

Change all the fluids anyway. Do a good check over the car for cracked hoses / brake lines

savagecabbages

Brakes can seize too particularly drum brakes if the handbrake has been left on.
Make sure to check the brake lines for bulges/cracks. They might not show up without the pedal behind pressed so get someone to do that while you check them.

Is it an old/new car?

_Conrad_

stephendevlin wrote: »

Any major things that can go wrong with the engine?

Not really. If it had water get into the cylinders it could seize but that's unlikely. Give it new oil and filters as the oil that's in it will be pretty horrible. It also would be a good idea to check that it has oil before trying to start it, and even if it does give it a small bit of fresh stuff, leave that for an hour or so then crank it over. New spark plugs may also be a good idea.

The battery will surely be dead and the tyres are likely to be bad at this stage. Check brake lines, fuel lines etc and there is also the risk of the brakes not exactly being as free as they should be. Though often these will unbind when you go to move it. There are a multitude of things that can start to come to light but you won't know untill you have it running and driving. It depends on if the car has sat untouched in a field for 2 years and nevre moved or started or if it was indoors or if it's been occasionally started and moved during the time it's been off the road

_Conrad_

also do tell us what the car actualy is

honeyvale

do you have to have it insured now when off road?

aujopimur

I suggest you replace the timing belt if it has one.

savagecabbages

honeyvale wrote: »

do you have to have it insured now when off road?

No
But if its stolen or catches fire or something you might be in trouble

mickdw

I know of a low mileage S class merc full history etc that was parked at 3.5 years old, then being started and moved a couple of times per year. 2 years like this and it turned into a complete nightmare. Major faults every couple of weeks. Worthless.

stephendevlin

car hasnt been touched its a 318 convertible e36 autobox

honeyvale

savagecabbages wrote: »

No
But if its stolen or catches fire or something you might be in trouble

thought there was a law now had to be insured even if off road? heard on radio. insured unless scrapped?

Steelballz

honeyvale wrote: »

thought there was a law now had to be insured even if off road? heard on radio. insured unless scrapped?

i heard about that aswell, but from am mate and not from the radio.is it not in place in england and ireland is going to copy them as so often?
it is complete scutter, what if you got a car from someone to drive and are fixing up before putting it on the road, or if you just break cars every now and then or even sell cars now and again?we have to get a petition going to stop this bulls**t, it is well beyond acceptable and much worse than any of the other ridiculous laws everyone else just "took" until now.we have to put the overnment in their place and show that they cannot just pass crap like this.

also, apologies for the thread hijack lol