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For the past years, I’ve used my YouTube channel to help folks maintain their cars. I love sharing common sense tips that any weekend warrior can follow. But if I can impart just one message, this is it: Focus on the fundamentals of basic maintenance.
If you want your old car to run like new, consider getting your hands dirty right away with these four tasks.
Flush the Cooling System
Way too many drivers neglect to change their coolant on a timely basis. As a result, sediment builds up in the cooling system. If you have an older car, and have overlooked the cooling for too long, then gunk has probably traveled to the bottom of the engine block and radiator. That’s not good.
If sediment is restricting the flow of coolant, your engine can overheat. But don’t wait for your engine to start running hot to take action.
Check your coolant on a regular basis. That means more than just pulling off the radiator cap and peering inside to check the level. If the coolant level is low, top it off and look for leaks. Consult the owner’s manual. You should drain and fill the coolant according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and only use products intended specifically for your vehicle.
What happens if you were busy for the past few years and just forgot to replace the coolant on a schedule? Well, sediment that’s been sitting for a very long time eventually turns to concrete. That calls for aggressive action: a reverse cooling system flush.
Spill-free funnel
Flushing in the opposite direction of the normal flow helps to loosen up the sediment. It’s essential to address any coolant leaks you see after the engine’s run for a bit, but before you go for that maiden drive.
After a coolant change, the biggest mistake that people make is failing to get the air out of the system. Proper burping is essential. Park on an incline and turn on the heating system to run coolant through the heater core. This should help to eliminate trapped air.
Tip: Pick up a spill-free funnel kit to ease the process of filling and burping.
Keep the Battery Terminals Clean and Replace the Cables When Needed
The shakes and rattles of daily driving over years can loosen battery terminals. The buildup of corrosion is also problematic on battery connections. Electrical system maintenance starts with clean battery terminals and clamps.
Shop now for battery clamps
Upgrade to a new, clean battery clamp.
If you want an old car to run like new, then upgrade to new, clean battery cables and clamps when they loosen up to the point of no return. You can delay this task for only so long. If there are any signs of a bad connection, then it makes sense to replace these relatively inexpensive components right away.
Newer cars are more susceptible to voltage issues than older cars. That makes replacing the terminal or cables even more important. If you’re experiencing strange electrical problems, the cause may be a bad ground. Start with some YouTube research on your vehicle to identify the issue.
Tip: Do not overlook the ignition switch in an older vehicle. Switches can fail if they have been burdened with a heavy ring of keys for a few years.
Change the Fuel Lines
Carmakers did not engineer pre-1990 vehicles to run on gasoline that contains ethanol. But nearly all modern gasoline contains 10 percent ethanol these days. This can cause issues with older fuel-system components.
Shop now for fuel hoses and lines
If you have an older car, I suggest replacing all of the old neoprene fuel lines with new ethanol-friendly pieces. You might consider replacing the fuel pump as well.
Old carburetors can be problematic, and accelerator pumps are the first component to fail. If you retain the original carburetor, use a proven fuel additive to protect them from corrosion. Swapping out the original carbs for modern ethanol-tolerant Holley or Edlebrock units is the best long-term solution.
Tip: Carb Defender is one of the most popular additives for older fuel systems.
Avoid a Dry Start Up
There’s one last suggestion for bringing new life to an old car. If your older car has been sitting for months (or years), then you need to make sure the first cranking of the engine is safe. Dry startups can cause significant harm.
An oil change before startup is only the first step. Before starting the engine, spray Marvel Mystery Oil into each cylinder through the spark plug holes to lubricate and protect the cylinder walls and piston rings.
Tip: Marvel Mystery Oil is not Snake Oil.
