maintenance after poor long term storage

joehenke · Post by **joehenke** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:06 pm

I am hoping for some guidance from everyones collective experience. I have a 2006 LX150. It is very low mileage and for various reasons it has been parked for a couple of years now. I did not take very good precautions before I stored it. Now I want to get it running again.

I am not really sure where to start - I was going to get a copy of the Haynes maintenance manual as a reference and go from there. Any advice would be welcome. Some specifics I am curious about are:

1) seals and gaskets - they have likely dried out so do I need to replace them?
2) Will I need to completely disassemble and inspect the engine?
3) Corrosion! what is okay what is not?
4) Tools - I have an okay tool collection for a home handyman but I am not sure what I need for serious work on the engine.

Again any advice would be welcome.

Joe

jbcollier · Post by **jbcollier** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:00 am

Change out the engine oil and filter as well as the final drive oil. Clean and re-oil the air filter. Fresh fuel and start.

Now the key question, was it stored with fuel in the tank and carb? If yes, you need to get the old stuff out. It may mean that the carb will have to be stripped and cleaned.

jbcollier · Post by **jbcollier** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:02 am

Remove the old battery, charge and test it. Probably will require a new battery unless it was tied to a trickle charger.

jaelee · Post by **jaelee** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:25 am

and check the belt

jbcollier · Post by **jbcollier** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:33 am

Good point, how many kilometres are on the scoot?

joehenke · Post by **joehenke** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:52 pm

The scooter was very low mileage (off the top of my head I do not even think I hit 500 km) I know I had not reached the first oil change. There is fuel in the tank and carb (I did not do a great job of emptying it last time I stored it).

Should I strip and clean the carb before attempting to start the engine?

My main concern is preventing damage when starting the engine up again?

Jaelee - you mentioned checking the belt - are we talking about checking the tension or a visual inspection for cracks?

Any thoughts on brakes?

Really appreciate the input.

Joe

jbcollier · Post by **jbcollier** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:46 pm

500 km? The belt is fine.

Here's what you do:

- Change the oil and filter cold, give it a good long time to drain. Use a good quality, synthetic oil. The factory recommends 10w-40 but I would use 0w-40 Mobile 1. You can buy it at Canadian Tire.

- Drain/suck out as much of the old fuel as you can. Add fresh, premium grade fuel.

- Remove the battery and have it tested. Replace if necessary.

- Try starting the engine.

- If it starts and runs fair to OKish, then good. Run a fuel system cleaner additive such as sea foam for a couple of tank-fulls after.

- If it doesn't start, first try a new plug. Still no start? Then you will need to strip and clean the carb.

BEFORE YOU GO FOR RIDE:

- Clean and re-oil the air filter

- Check your tire pressures and tire sidewalls for cracks.

- Change the brake fluid.

- Check your lights and what not

The brake linings will be fine.

joehenke · Post by **joehenke** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:13 pm

Okay - this is a very good outline. Thanks for the quick replies - not sure when I am going to get around to it - but when I do I will let you know how it works out. Thanks.

Joe

jaelee · Post by **jaelee** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:47 am

just make sure that the belt is in good condition and make sure that it variates fully. i would also check that the variator face does not have grooves in it. or you could do what i do just get it running and deal with issues as they arise