Car sat for six years. What to check?

[FireFox31]

I just bought a 1998 V70 T5M at auction which had been sitting for six years. What things should I check, clean, replace, etc after all that time?

P80 specific problems:
Aside from the generic car issues listed below, do P80 Volvos have any specific items which could suffer from years of sitting? Any weak rubber which might harden or crack? Any moving parts which might get stuck and need to be freed or lubricated?

Old gas:
How bad is six year old gas? Could there be water or sediment in the tank? Is it worth dropping the tank to clean?
On the old gas, I was able to drive the car but the first start of the day was difficult. I filled the tank and it's been fine since. But did I leave water or junk in the tank?
I smell stale gas all around under the gas tank. Could a seal be bad?

Battery:
Of course the battery is dead. The installed Volvo battery has no discernible date code and forum research didn't reveal it. I ordered a replacement.

Tire flat spots:
Can tire flat spots be fixed?
With the car in the air, I spun each tire and saw where they pressed flat. I've driven 80 miles so far and they haven't improved. It's a shame because their tread is great.

Tire tread separation:
The tires have a date code of April 2010, their tread is great, and sidewalls are free from cracks. However they have cracks along the base of each tread. How much of a risk are these to use?

Thanks for the input.

[454cid]

Old gas:
How bad is six year old gas? Could there be water or sediment in the tank? Is it worth dropping the tank to clean?
On the old gas, I was able to drive the car but the first start of the day was difficult. I filled the tank and it's been fine since. But did I leave water or junk in the tank?
I smell stale gas all around under the gas tank. Could a seal be bad?

If you filled the tank already, I'd just run it. The gas smell is a little concerning. That suggests a leak someplace to me. Maybe the tank or line. I'd probably wait and see what happens.

Battery:
Of course the battery is dead. The installed Volvo battery has no discernible date code and forum research didn't reveal it. I ordered a replacement.

A new battery is a good idea. I'd still try charging it, Though. Sometimes batteries come back.

Tire flat spots:
Can tire flat spots be fixed?
With the car in the air, I spun each tire and saw where they pressed flat. I've driven 80 miles so far and they haven't improved. It's a shame because their tread is great.

Tire tread separation:
The tires have a date code of April 2010, their tread is great, and sidewalls are free from cracks. However they have cracks along the base of each tread. How much of a risk are these to use?

Those are "around town" tires at best. The flat spots might work themselves out, but between the cracks and the age, they're ready to be replaced.

[abscate]

It might be worth one hot summer run to see if those flat spots come out with heat. At 13 years old my inspection station here won’t like them, but I have run worse by inspecting in my snows and then switching to funky tires.

If the tread is good, you protect others. Despite the fear mongering of the tire industry to replace 5 year old tires , they just don’t randomly blow out. If you are going for driving your high speed northeast runs on I95, it’s time for new shoes.

Definitely use them for the 10-50-100 mile road checks while you put the T5M through her qualifying paces before you DD her.

Couple tanks of gas will get you to the good stuff. Hydrocarbons are pretty stable chemicals.

Drop that battery on me and we can connect my sulphating battery charger to it

Lube all the door locks and hinges per the service maintenance schedule in your handbook! Don’t forget the hood latches!

[misha]

With those cracks...toss them and get decent tyres.

[Cees Klumper]

I had a too-old tire but with great tread depth disintegrate on me once on the highway. Don't risk it for a couple hundred bucks. I would definitely investigate any fuel smell/leak and carry a proper fire extinguisher in the meanwhile. Other than that not too much to worry about I would say. Clear any codes and see if any come back.

[volvolugnut]

I just bought a 1998 V70 T5M at auction which had been sitting for six years. What things should I check, clean, replace, etc after all that time?

P80 specific problems:
Aside from the generic car issues listed below, do P80 Volvos have any specific items which could suffer from years of sitting? Any weak rubber which might harden or crack? Any moving parts which might get stuck and need to be freed or lubricated?

Old gas:
How bad is six year old gas? Could there be water or sediment in the tank? Is it worth dropping the tank to clean?
On the old gas, I was able to drive the car but the first start of the day was difficult. I filled the tank and it's been fine since. But did I leave water or junk in the tank?
I smell stale gas all around under the gas tank. Could a seal be bad?

Battery:
Of course the battery is dead. The installed Volvo battery has no discernible date code and forum research didn't reveal it. I ordered a replacement.

Tire flat spots:
Can tire flat spots be fixed?
With the car in the air, I spun each tire and saw where they pressed flat. I've driven 80 miles so far and they haven't improved. It's a shame because their tread is great.

Tire tread separation:
The tires have a date code of April 2010, their tread is great, and sidewalls are free from cracks. However they have cracks along the base of each tread. How much of a risk are these to use?

Thanks for the input.

Fuel:
I am shocked that it started and ran many miles with 6 year old gas in the tank, lines, and injectors.
My recommendations:
Drain as much as you can from the tank. If you get any chunky bits out, then try to flesh with clean fuel or maybe acetone?. Flush the fuel lines all the way to the fuel rail.
Fill tank and add Techron fuel system cleaner and run engine hard when you get other systems ready to run.
Maybe a second run of cleaner.

Tires:
Moderate to high risk with tires this old if run on highway, especially in summer heat.

If car sat outside, check for rodent damage under hood in pockets and holes. Flush all the drains including sun roof lines.

Still, this car looks great and I am a bit jealous.

volvolugnut

[manovlov]

Old gas:
How bad is six year old gas? Could there be water or sediment in the tank? Is it worth dropping the tank to clean?
On the old gas, I was able to drive the car but the first start of the day was difficult. I filled the tank and it's been fine since. But did I leave water or junk in the tank?
I smell stale gas all around under the gas tank. Could a seal be bad?

First of all, i would check the gaz filter. Buy 1. Replace the old one, and drive. Gasoline components change with air and time; But as you said you've already driven, after 2 full reservoirs, i wouldn't worry about that.

Tire flat spots:
Can tire flat spots be fixed?
With the car in the air, I spun each tire and saw where they pressed flat. I've driven 80 miles so far and they haven't improved. It's a shame because their tread is great.

Tire tread separation:
The tires have a date code of April 2010, their tread is great, and sidewalls are free from cracks. However they have cracks along the base of each tread. How much of a risk are these to use?

Tires have a lifespan. Not knowing what conditions they were stored in, I would replace the front set of tires with new ones. Especially if I have to transport my family. Even more so if they have already been repaired.

What codes say ?

[FireFox31]

Thanks for the input, especially about the tires and fuel system. You're right that it's much cheaper to replace the tires than to pay for damage from an accident caused by tire failure. My 2000 V70 came with four nice Michelin tires though one had a lightly sliced sidewall. I just had that one tire replaced and will install the four next time I'm on the lift. I'll save the flat spot tires (on wheels) as sacrificial in case I ever need to park a car for long term like scot850's R.

I will research all of this fuel system cleaning so thanks for the suggestions. I have already ordered a new filter but will run the cleaning procedures before installing it. The car seems well maintained but the fuel filter is a ball of rust. Does anyone ever change those?

[abscate]

Don’t sweat the fuel. The tanks are plastic and don’t rust like the old days. Check the service records for a fuel filter replacement , they are 100k interval items. I’ve done some at 180k which were ok inside