Need advice for starting a car sitting for 3 years 96 850 R

NYC-Volvo · Post by **NYC-Volvo** » 14 Sep 2025, 12:42

I haven't started my 1996 850 R in 3 years. I took it off the road during Covid because I was out of state and was unable to have an inspection. I'm prepping to sell it but I don't want to cause any unnecessary damage. It's been my daily driver up until that point, but it's been sitting outside in the Pennsylvania weather and I am expecting issues. I have yet to determine if I am going to sell it as a project.

I know to replace the fuel and to fog the cylinders. Can anyone provide any other advice?
Thanks everyone!

- Scott

Post by **abscate** » 14 Sep 2025, 12:53

Just turn it over carefully with a 30mm wrench and feel if there is any resistance, if it turn over twice…..

Check the oil for water.

Get a good battery

Fire it up, let it get hot.

Post by **jreed** » 15 Sep 2025, 05:28

Not sure if you had an oil and filter change on the to-do list, but that's something I would do before starting it up for the first time in a few years.

NYC-Volvo · Post by **NYC-Volvo** » 15 Sep 2025, 12:29

abscate wrote: ↑14 Sep 2025, 12:53 Just turn it over carefully with a 30mm wrench and feel if there is any resistance, if it turn over twice…..

Check the oil for water.

Get a good battery

Fire it up, let it get hot.

That's a good idea, thanks for the advice. I'm assuming it would be best to remove the plugs, but I'm not sure I'll be able to reach the crankshaft. Do you think it would be a mistake to try to turn it with the starter with the plugs removed?

NYC-Volvo · Post by **NYC-Volvo** » 15 Sep 2025, 12:31

jreed wrote: ↑15 Sep 2025, 05:28 Not sure if you had an oil and filter change on the to-do list, but that's something I would do before starting it up for the first time in a few years.

That's a good idea too, thank you.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Sep 2025, 14:46

NYC-Volvo wrote: ↑15 Sep 2025, 12:29
abscate wrote: ↑14 Sep 2025, 12:53 Just turn it over carefully with a 30mm wrench and feel if there is any resistance, if it turn over twice…..

Check the oil for water.

Get a good battery

Fire it up, let it get hot.
That's a good idea, thanks for the advice. I'm assuming it would be best to remove the plugs, but I'm not sure I'll be able to reach the crankshaft. Do you think it would be a mistake to try to turn it with the starter with the plugs removed?

Yes, because if a piston is stuck, the starter will break a ring or what ever is stuck. You are feeling for nasties, so you want hands on the wrench

You can reach the crankshaft nut from up top with a big 30 mm spanner/wrench/whatever

It took three days of soaking Evita the S70 to crack her piston number 5 loose, 35-40,000 miles ago.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 15 Sep 2025, 20:16

Make sure to drag the brakes just a smidge once you get her on the open road to clear those rotors off. It's going to make some interesting noises and some interesting smells potentially. Maybe 2-3 seconds on the brake gently after you hit 55-65+.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Sep 2025, 04:15

Pull the dipstick and check oil for water. A little is ok. You want get the engine hot to change the oil.

Condensate in the oil won’t hurt the motor at idle, with no load. It will quickly mixup, boil off and then leave you nice oil to drain out and replace. Used oil is valuable here!

NYC-Volvo · Post by **NYC-Volvo** » 17 Sep 2025, 12:46

abscate wrote: ↑15 Sep 2025, 14:46
NYC-Volvo wrote: ↑15 Sep 2025, 12:29
abscate wrote: ↑14 Sep 2025, 12:53 Just turn it over carefully with a 30mm wrench and feel if there is any resistance, if it turn over twice…..

Check the oil for water.

Get a good battery

Fire it up, let it get hot.
That's a good idea, thanks for the advice. I'm assuming it would be best to remove the plugs, but I'm not sure I'll be able to reach the crankshaft. Do you think it would be a mistake to try to turn it with the starter with the plugs removed?
Yes, because if a piston is stuck, the starter will break a ring or what ever is stuck. You are feeling for nasties, so you want hands on the wrench

You can reach the crankshaft nut from up top with a big 30 mm spanner/wrench/whatever

It took three days of soaking Evita the S70 to crack her piston number 5 loose, 35-40,000 miles ago.

Ok, got it. Thank you!

Post by **scot850** » 18 Sep 2025, 10:15

It depends on what the conditions the car has been stood in. If it is really humid where you live, I'd pull the plugs and pour a teaspoon full of something like Marvel Mystery oil down the bores and let the sit for a couple of days, and also spray some WD-40 into the bores. This is to help try lube the bore and hopefully break down any light surface rust that may have built up. Let it sit for a couple of days, then try to turn the engine over by have as suggested.

If the engine turns over by hand ok, then pull the fuel pump fuse or relay. This is to allow you to turn the engine over on the key without it starting to allow the engine to build oil pressure through the engine.

If you can drain the gas I would consider it. It is hard to do on these cars. You could try at the fuel filter by disconnecting the pipe and running it into a bucket. Get someone to turn the key on and allow the pump to pump the gas. You will likely have to cycle it to drain the fuel.

Refit the fuel pipe, and fill with new gas.

Clean the plugs, gap to 0.028" and refit.

Then cycle the ignition a few times to get gas to the injectors. Then try to start the car. As the guys have already recommended, get it good and hot. Then drain the oil and change the oil and filter. Also consider swapping the fuel filter. The plastic tanks don't corrode like metal tanks. So you should not get a lot of crud into the filter. So that is optional.

This may be a little extreme, but it is a safe way of doing this to protect your engine.

Good Luck!

Neil.