bringing a D1 back to life

[varova87]

the D1 has been sitting in a shop for 6 months due to a number of reasons (mainly bc ive had a honda to drive). its being resurected next week, so I need some tips on making sure its road worthy after sitting and ready for winter.

after 6 months of sitting (ran maybe once a week by the shop) i plan on atleast an oil change and a coolant flush. im new to doing much more than those, so is there anything else i should do given the conditions?

im going to make the switch to synthetic oil. ive searched, but i wasnt sure if there was a better oil to run in the winter than in warmer weather. ill use a quality coolant after the flush. advice on oil thickness and brand? im thinking valvoline sythetic as alot of people have had success....

thanks:victory:

 

[varova87]

bump...anyone?

 

[gavinrobinson]

Why use synthetic? Its just going to leak, so it'd end up being pricey. I'd personally just go with regular oil, nothing fancy.

 

[k12]

If it has sat for a while, I like to disable the ignition or fuel system and crank it to ensure oil is everywhere it should be, like in the lifters, then start it.

I think an oil change and you should be good to go. Mabe check basic stuff like brake pads, tire pressure and fluids. Shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[varova87]

Why use synthetic? Its just going to leak, so it'd end up being pricey. I'd personally just go with regular oil, nothing fancy.

eh, with it getting up into the high miles i would rather start using synthetic. yes, im sure it will spring a leak eventually, hell it might already have one. but i want it to last as long as possible and run the best it can, so im hoping synthetic will help out a little.

 

[varova87]

I think an oil change and you should be good to go. Mabe check basic stuff like brake pads, tire pressure and fluids. Shouldn't be a big deal.

thats what i was thinking, i just wasnt sure. the wheels are getting painted black as well, so ill do a tire rotation/balance etc in that process. oh yeah, and the coolant flush.

 

[d1driver]

I'm sure I will get bashed, but I started using Walmart brand synthetic, and have good success with it. It actually quieted down a noisy lifter tick that I have had for 50k miles now.

Negative - it leaks nicely. Rear main seal and valve covers.

 

[varova87]

do synthetics generally cause more oil leaks?

 

[ROVER 54]

generally speaking synthetic oil will me more prone to leaks/seepage in higher milage vehicles..at 91000 miles i run delo 15w40 and lucas oil stabilizer and have some seepage at the valve covers but thats about it .

 

[adriatic04]

just run 15w40 rotella t instead of synthetic - it has been great for me, keeps things quiet too. only issue now is that I feel it is a bit much for cold northern winters, just changed to 10w30 for winter today

 

[varova87]

i considered going to 10w30. central va winter isnt nearly as bad as the north, but still...

hell, it was 70 today. i dont know whether to be pissed cause its december or happy cause its so nice.

 

[BaldEagle]

eh, with it getting up into the high miles i would rather start using synthetic. yes, im sure it will spring a leak eventually, hell it might already have one. but i want it to last as long as possible and run the best it can, so im hoping synthetic will help out a little.

i see your concern, but my 2 cents are such - i've used either castrol, penzoil, valvoline, or napa oil for 244k miles on my 96. changing it every 3k miles was all i did special. looking back there was no reason for me to use anything other than the regular oil i used. that being said, i've recently switched to rotella 10-30 (still conventional) and i'm amazed at the durability. it only looks half way used at 3k miles whereas any other oil i've used was black at 3k miles.

 

[varova87]

i see your concern, but my 2 cents are such - i've used either castrol, penzoil, valvoline, or napa oil for 244k miles on my 96. changing it every 3k miles was all i did special. looking back there was no reason for me to use anything other than the regular oil i used. that being said, i've recently switched to rotella 10-30 (still conventional) and i'm amazed at the durability. it only looks half way used at 3k miles whereas any other oil i've used was black at 3k miles.

ive heard quite a few good things about rotella. do you run 10-30 all the time or just in the cold? i was thinking 15-30 anytime other than winter

 

[BaldEagle]

ive only run 10 30 so far

 

[Blue]

My 96 D1 with 105K miles has been sitting for almost 4 years. Every once in a while I start it and drive it around the block. Why put synthetic in it? That's like flushing your toilet with bottled water. Think of it this way....you're driving a 16-lb sledge hammer not some fine surgical instrument. Six months is nothin' my friend. Get in, fire it up, and enjoy it.

 

[D.WILLIS]

Use The Best Oil U Can Afford It Is The Life Blood Of Yer Motor...just Spent 70 Dolars On Oil Today 7.39 A Quart Every 3000 Miles Or 3 Months

 

[DISCODOWN]

no one mentioned the old crappy gas....you might wanna see if the gas fill smells of varnish and try to siphon off as much as possible of the old and put in some fresh...my rover very much likes fresh super in quanity-at rate it burns it none seems to ever get old though....

 

[DISCODOWN]

ugh-almost forgot-lots here would suggest a seafoam treatment too...
[sorry guys-couldn't resist...]

 

[MUSKYMAN]

Use The Best Oil U Can Afford It Is The Life Blood Of Yer Motor...just Spent 70 Dolars On Oil Today 7.39 A Quart Every 3000 Miles Or 3 Months

:rofl:

 

[Asolo3j]

Check your diffs, swivel balls, t-case, trans, power steering, brake and blinker fluids in case they were leaking before.