Hi, I have had my 1997 F-150 in storage for five years while stationed in Okinawa Japan. It has been in a climate controlled environment the whole time but locked in a storage container and not started.
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has been in a simular situation and what they migh have down that got this beast back on the road fairly easily. I am worried about everything from the fuel system to the tires. If anyone has some good pointers out there I would sure like to hear from you. The truck only has about 8000 miles on it so I want to take care of it right. Thanks a bunch. Mike

 

Hey we can get you back on the road happily.

A few things to do will help keep your truck happy.

We'll kind of address it by systems one at a time.

Starting from the fuel. I would drain the fuel completely if they didn't already make you before putting it in. That gas will be no good after 5 years. Plus there could easily have been some condensation form after this time and you don't need water in your gas complicating anything.

Tires: This is something you are going to have to use your best judgement on. If they have been in a climate controlled environment then dry rot shouldn't be a problem, unless they ran out of air. Sitting on the flatspots all those years could easily have ruined the sidewalls. I'd look them over real well after airing them up. But if it were me I'd probably change the tires as a safety issue.

Moving up to the engine. This is where the most time is going to be spent.

First, the battery will be shot. It may get you started after charging, but after being dead for so long it won't have any legs left to take a deep charge anyway. So new battery. Next, pull the plugs and place about a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery Oil or Automatic Transmission fluid into each cylinder. Loosely replace plugs but don't tightem them. They are going to come out again before this is over with. Let that stay for a day or at least overnight. The oil is going to coat the cylinder walls and also loosen up any rust ridges that have formed all that time. It will help keep your rings and cylinders from scoring the first time you start it up.

Inspect all your rubber. This may be in great shape since you have been in CC storage but you need to look for signs of cracking and brittleness. The large radiator hoses are pretty well designed and I believe have a lifetime expectancy but you do have heater hoses and bypass hoses that need to be looked at as well.

I would go ahead and change the serpentine belt as a precaution.

Next comes the first spin up of the engine.

Remove the plugs that are loosely in the cylinders from before. With all plugs out and a new battery in, I'd turn the motor over until oil pressure is obtained. Just crank the starter over for a good 30 seconds or so. Yes it is hard on the starter but far better for the engine to get a good coating of oil on everything before she fires up.

So do this to get oil pressure up noticeably on the gauge.

After that, go back, put your plugs back in for good this time. Put your plugwires etc. back to running condition and fire her up. If she starts up bring her up to warm temperature. Gives you time to check for leaks and smells and systems condition. Maybe even pull her out of storage under her own power. But you aren't ready to hit the road yet. After initial fire-up, shut her down and drain and replace the engine oil.

Note: You may want to see if there is a quick change oil place near where she is being stored. If so plan on driving it from storage immediately to there and have your engine, transmission oils changed.

Now that this has been done. I'd recommend changing the oil again after 200 miles of driving.

The first oil change was to rid the crankcase of what has been sitting in it for 5 years. After she has run a little, varnish, rust, deposits of all types as well as what you put into the cylinders above are now in the new oil and suspended in it. So get that oil changed again.

Keep an eye on everything for about 500 miles. Check and re-check hoses and fluids. Look for leaks. If all goes well you should be smiling now with a 5 year old vehicle with 8K miles on her and back in the USA.

1 more thing...I'd make plans to get your brakefluid purged with new fluid. It absorbs water whether you use it or not. Also flush your cooling system and refill with new coolant. Even if it hasn't been used it still looses its "oomph" just from sitting like that.

Happy trucking

 

Once you're running smoothly you might want to look-up any recalls that Ford has for the '97.

 

When she starts up for the first time, don't be alarmed at a good bit of smoke and rough running for the frist few minutes. The smoke will be the oil you out into your cylinders.

The rough running will be the computer waking up and re-learning the engine again. It may idle poorly for the first 30 seconds and smoke as well.

I'd also burn high quality gas like Chevron with Techrolon in it for a tankful with Fuel Injector cleaner additive to get your fuel system all nice and deposit free again.

 

I'll second, Tom's advise. This is as close as you'll get to properly priming the oil system on your own and should minimize the risk of damage.

 

I say drain and replace all your fuilds replace your filters and battery as well as the tires then it should be ready to go back on the road.

 

Thanks much for allof the replys. Most helpful. It looks like it might be a little while before this rig is on the road.
Mike