My '99 Blazer has been sitting since last August. (click on my username for the saga of this albatross around my neck.) I haven't started it since then, although I did once push it in neutral a couple of feet back and forth once to get behind it for something. I can't drive it on the public street anymore, as it's not registered or insured anymore, but it would be nice to see if it can be gotten running again. Oil was just changed before shutting it down, coolant flushed & replaced just before that.

So I've been looking for advice on what needs doing. First of all, the battery was totally shot, so I bought a new one. It's installed but not yet connected.

Second, the gas. I wasn't expecting to leave it that long, so I didn't put any Sta-Bil in the tank; no idea what's actually in there by now. For all I know it's turned to varnish. Does this need to be flushed out, or can I put some solvent (Seafoam, etc.) in there and use it as is?

Thirdly. I've seen all sorts of advice online as to what else to do, some of it contradictory. E.G. Take out the plugs and squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinder bores. While the plugs are out, bar the engine over by hand to make sure it's not seized. Change the oil, coolant, etc. Put oil in various places. Open up the air cleaner and make sure no mice/wasps/birds made a nest in it. Check wires/hoses for squirrel chewing. Starting fluid, WD-40, PB Blaster, and so on and so forth. So how much of that is really necessary?

Fourth, the tires. They were almost new, and a matching set; if I'm not using this car at present, I'd like to swop them over to the '88 Blazer, which is still running and in occasional use, but has four different tires on. [1] Will they be OK after sitting that long, or will they have gotten flat spots?

(And will the wheels from a 2nd gen Blazer fit a first gen? The tire salesman swore they would, but I haven't tried it yet. Be a shame to jack both cars up only to find the wheels won't interchange.)

Thanks in advance.

Shalom

[1] two Wilderness AT, one each Destination LE and Unr Laredo, and the spare is a Wrangler ATX. Don't ask.

 

Sitting for a year, I'd just see what happens when you spin it over. Removing the plugs and squirting in some light oil shouldn't hurt anything, but if the motor was closed up, I highly doubt that anything has rusted in that time.

The fuel may be an issue, but I'd give it a try first. Your only option there is trying to siphon out the tank if it won't run right.

What was the reason for parking the truck in the first place?

As far as the tires/rims, if both are 4wd, it's a direct swap.

 

Got tired of fixing things, only to have something more expensive break the following week. Specifically, the most recent thing was, I had just changed the oil (even put in 10W40 high mileage oil), and was still getting low oil pressure once it warmed up, enough to get clattering, though not low enough to light the warning lamp. Might also need a head gasket, definitely needs motor mounts. Didn't want to run it too long under this condition, and my 88 was still running, so I switched.

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Yes, they're both 4WD. I do prefer the look of the old rims, but not enough to pay to have everything dismounted, remounted and rebalanced. I can swap the wheels myself.

You think the tires are still good?

 

They will have flat spots but as long as they aren't dry rotted flat spots will work itself out after being driven a few miles.

 

siphon as much gas out as possible. Then add a few gallons of the best gas u can get,then try it.