manonahill

I've had the Turbo since new in 2004 and it's only done 55k miles. It's in reasonable condition so it's going back on the road until it dies or is regulated out of existence by future governments or fuel prices.

It's not moved for 4 years and the known issues to deal with are:

• Flat battery. Should be straightforward.
• Snapped bonnet release cable because I was a clumsy oaf when I last tried jump starting. Remove wheel arch liner to get at it?
• Tailgate gas struts need replacing.

But what else might happen... or might not? I'm a little bit nervous so what needs to go on the checklist?

BobcatBrian

Drain the fuel if you haven't already done so, and refuel with fresh high-octane petrol

Shuga

Why was it off the road to begin with? If it has been sitting outside be careful of any rodents that may have eaten some wires.

hahnmgh63

Yes, drain and replace the fuel and fresh oil. I'd also pull all 8 sparkplugs and fog all of the cylinders and attempt a crank of the engine (after fogging) with the plugs still removed to get the oil pressure up, maybe crank for 20~30 seconds (starter may have froze while sitting). Cranking a completely dry engine like that could do Ring/Cylinder damage/wear, that is why you really should Fog the cylinders. Amazon or most major parts stores sell a Cylinder Fogging solution so you aren't just pouring straight oil into the cylinders.

TomF

^^THIS^^

manonahill

Fogging solution - something like this?

Petza914

Agree with this except or you could use some marvel mystery oil, but put sacrificial plugs back in and don't put the coils on them. Cranking the engine with plugs removed is going to shoot oil out of all the plug holes. After cranking, put the coils back on and start it so the plugs that get fouled from the oil are the old ones. After it has run for a bit install new plugs.

hahnmgh63

That's a good Fogging solution. What Petza said is true if you pour oil in the cylinders, you will want to cover the valve covers with a towel. The engine will crank easier and faster (higher oil pressure) with the plugs out. With the Fogging solution you may get a slight mist from the Sparkplug holes but not a lot as you would after pouring oil in. On a 90' V-motor, you would have to pour a fair amount of oil in at that angle to get the oil to the upper (intake side) of the cylinders, any less and you have to leave it dry until it coats the cylinders after a few cranks but any dry damage will then have already occurred.

ekstroemtj

I would like to step into this discussion with 2 questions:

After which period of time it’s recommended to drain the fuel?

what is the easiest way to drain the fuel tank?

thank you

Shuga

You can buy a transfer pump to pump it out

ekstroemtj

Ok. Thank you. Open the 2 covers under the rear seat. Will be crazy smell inside the cabin after this job.

Shuga

You could do that or go through where you put gas in.

theprf

I had a B4 Passat that I did not start for about one year. After a year it started right up and ran ok. Then I left it for two more years. Then with 3 year old fuel in the tank it would not start, not even a pop. I had to pump out all the old fuel which was bright orange colored and smelled awful. I put in some fresh fuel and it started and ran.