Morning Folks,

We've had 2 weeks of day time temperatures above freezing so I'm thinking / hoping I can get the car on the road by the end of the month.
Is there anything special I have to do before firing her up for the first time besides lowering the tire pressure and checking fluids? The car
has been on the battery tender all winter so the battery should be good and it got a rad flush and new -40 antifreeze and an oil change before
I parked it. I'd like to put her on the driveway this week so I have a little more room to work on it before the driving season.
Thanks in advance. Tom

 

As long as the fuel pump hasn't failed you should not have any problems. Be sure to get it to operating temp. before shutting it off, not a good time to risk bore wash.

 

My startup procedure after a long Nfld winter. I am not being "smart" or "sarcastic" ..this is what I do.

1/ Make sure there is oil and coolant. 2/ Turn key 3/ Let idle for a minute or so while looking and listening for anything odd. 4/Go for a short drive , usually to my local indy mechanic to make an appointment for an after winter oil change .

Since I have bought the car it has started witin 5 seconds ; after sitting idle 5 months or more.

 

Hi guys, thanks for your replies. I think some times reading the problems people have
on the forum I get a little paranoid. After all it is just a car, a pretty one, but a car not a
piece of glass.

 

another technique for a car that sat for a while is to pull the fuel pump relay and crank the engine until oil pressure starts to show, light goes off or pressure needle moves. replace fuel pump relay and start. added benefit that the cylinders were warmed by the compression. if the car sat for a really long period of time, remove the spark plugs, add one squirt of motor oil to each cylinder and perform the no fuel crank with the plugs removed.

would add that it is a good idea to check the air box for tenants prior to cranking as well as the intake valley and general hiding spots for rodents. if you used poison baits and peppermint oil, this is not so much of an issue.

 

Hi WhiteHat,

Thanks for the great advise. This is the first car I've bought with no block heater to
plug in during the winter. My trans am and mx6 I plug in and can just start up in the
spring with no issues. I'm hoping the xk8 will be the same. As far as critters go I put
out mouse traps and bounce dryer sheets changed monthly. I haven't found any yet,
dead or alive.

 

i believe that there is a block heater kit for these cars. it is probably more useful for when the vehicle is actually operated in the very cold weather, although it might prevent condensation in storage. just not sure if these are meant for constant use on a stored vehicle.

 

Yes there is a block heater for the xk8 but I was told that it didn't need it if the car was being stored for the winter.
The other cars I plug in at the end of October until spring but they sit outside under tarps. I've never had an issue
with it but they probably don't need to be plugged in all winter.