I just want to introduce myself. I just recently took ownership of a 1994 Mazda Miata with a 1.8 motor. First off I was given this car by a friend who really does not know much about cars. This Miata sat in his driveway for about 8-10 months and was never started during that time. The reason being is that the battery lost power and caused the aftermarket alarm to disable the starter. And due to this he just let it sit in the driveway until now. So, once I got it home the other day I took the battery out and put it on the charger. Now, since this car has not been started in some time now, I was wondering if there is anything out of the ordinary that I need to do prior to starting it. I will go ahead and drain the old fuel in the tank and maybe even put some ATF in the cylinder heads via the spark plug holes and give the engine a second or two cranks to get the cylinder walls freed up and lubed. I am really looking forward to driving this car. Since the last time I got to drive one is when I worked at a Mazda dealer ship back in the early 1990’s. So, if anyone can help me out that would be great. And I look forward to meeting you all on the open road. (I know that sounds corny.)

 

Welcome! unfortunately I doubt we will be meeting on the open road. seeing as we are rather far apart from each other.

Seems like quite the nice find! I havent winterized a car, or started a car that hasnt run in that long before, but the atf couldnt hurt. I would change the oil and coolant while your at it though. You never know what that stuff is like at this point.

 

Welcome to the forumz

 

Crank it over a little with no spark to lube it up too after the fluid change maybe? I would do Diff and tranny, brake and clutch to be all lubed up and safe.

 

Welcome! Congrats on your purchase! Pics or gtfo...

 

Change the fuel for sure.
Do an oil change so you can get oil all over that ---- before it starts. Make sure you fill up the oil filter. And floor the throttle pedal and crank it for about 3-4 seconds to get oil flowing everywhere (no worries, floored throttle will stop the ECU from firing the injectors. flood switch).
Once you get it running, enjoy it for a bit. cut it off, and dump the coolant (wait till it cools down some of course). Flush the coolant out completely and put in new stuff.

Thats about it other than regular maintenance (trans, diff, clutch, brake fluids, fuel filter, etc.).

 

Thanks for the information guys. As soon as I get the Miata running I will get some photos. I am kind of new to the forum world...what does "gtfo" mean?

 

he is joking with you. it means "get the ---- out"

 

 

In for pics/video of first startup. May want to throw some Seafoaming in the new gas. May want to check the timing belt and water pump