Jay Honeck wrote:
> I've had my 2000 Mustang Convertible in the back of our unheated hangar
> since last November, untouched. I covered it with cotton sheets, filled the
> gas tank to the top, aired up the tires -- and haven't touched it since.
>
> Yesterday I charged the battery up and fired it up. The engine sounded a
> little "ticky" for a few seconds, and then purred like a big cat. I let it
> warm up fully before shutting it back down.

Ticky is just the valvetrain hydraulics pumping up.

> I also aired up the tires, which were about 50% low. The floor of the
> hangar is astroturf over pea gravel, which has enough "give" so that I think
> the tires aren't flat-spotted from sitting.

Mmmm.... dunno. Thup-thup-thup?

>
> The brake rotors are completely rusty. Should/can I do anything about that
> before driving the car again? Or will that all just come off after a few
> brake applications.

Depends on how rusty is rusty. Surface rust forms quickly on rotors.
Drive carefully and don't hammer it at first. Feel it, and get out and
check.

>
> I figured I'd change the oil/filter right away -- but is there anything else
> involved with bringing a car out of winter storage?

Good idea. The 2000+... are your belts OK? Antifreeze (?)

Dump a can of good (e.g., STP) fuel injector cleaner in the full tank,
run it to operating temp a few times (>20 min), and run the tankful, and
check your tire pressure. Check your fluids again.

Then, once it's completely warm, and you feel confident with the above,
run the sucker to or near redline a few times. Just wring the snot out
of it at full throttle, and let it rev. Keep it a gear lower than
'usual', 3000+, for a bit. See how it responds. Is it an automatic?
Does it shift slowly once warmed? Check your fluids. Pay attention.
Let it build up the pressures. Running it hard blows out the carbon,
and works your gaskets. Check for leaks, and enjoy.

Anyone else?

--
Wound Up
ThunderSnake #65