How to Start an Old Truck That Has Been Stored for Years
If you have bought or inherited an old truck that someone has not started in years, getting it going can present a bit of a challenge. The longer vehicles sit unattended, the greater the possibility that their batteries have died, their spark plugs have fouled or their gasoline has evaporated. Unless it has a full service history, you will probably also want to change the oil and other fluids so that you are starting the truck with a clean slate.
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Things You'll Need
- Owner's manual
- Gasoline
- Spark plugs (optional)
- Battery jumper pack
- Multimeter
Instructions
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1
Examine the old truck and make sure that no unsafe conditions exists that tell you that you should not try starting it. If you do not notice anything odd (such as rotted components, mice nesting in the engine, cloth stuffed in the tailpipe or something similar), try starting the truck. It is possible that it may start right up, even after all this time.
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2
Check the battery using a multimeter. You should have two metal plugs that are red and black that attach to the meter. Connect these to the battery to check whether electrical current is coming from the battery.
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3
Charge your battery using the battery jumper pack. This may take several hours, depending on your battery jumper pack. Try starting the truck again after the charge is complete.
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4
Check the spark plugs to see if they are dirty and corroded or otherwise need to be replaced. To do this, consult your truck's manual. Prop the hood of your truck open while you remove the spark plugs. If you see white, crusty stuff on any of the plugs' tips, they are corroded and need to be replaced. Take them to your local auto parts store and ask them to find you replacement parts. You will also need to properly gap your new spark plugs before installing them. If you do not know how to do this, ask for help while at the auto parts store.
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Try starting the truck with the new spark plugs in it. If it still does not start, it may need gas. Pour some fresh gasoline into the gas tank and try again. If it still does not start, consider consulting a mechanic as the problem may require professional diagnosis.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to read the directions on your multimeter and battery jumper packs to avoid unnecessary risk of electric shock.
Once your truck has started, you may want to change the oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid and coolant. This is good practice with any vehicle that has not been started in a long time, as these fluids should be changed at regular intervals.
