car overheated on trip through mountains last July. Exact cause has yet to be determined...cross that bridge when ( if ) I come to it...

Limped home on what sounded like three cylinders. Parked in driveway, placed battery on a maintenance charger and haven't touched it since.

My request: any tips on steps to take before attempting to 'fire it up' so I can diagnose/fix it? Drain gas? Douche intake w/ carb/fuel injector cleaner? Chant a mantra or cast a spell? (j/k!-but all suggestions welcome!)
It's been 15+ years since I last dealt with a vehicle inoperative so long (and that's kind of an apples and oranges comparison anyways.) Wish I'd had the benefit of this forum then...probably would have taken days instead of months to get the car back on the road!

All replies welcome, don't hold back!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

Since car has been sitting so long, drop a teaspoon of oil down the cylinders, rotate the engine by hand a few times. Perform a compression test to check for a blown head gasket. Perform a cooling system pressure test to find the coolant leaks.

Oh, and I find I have better luck with cars when I work on them in womens clothing.

 

thanks for the tips, phootbag.
Question re: the oil in the cylinders: down the spark plug holes, yes? (I know it sounds like a dumb question but I work on the principle that the dumbest question is the one not asked..,) Use my usual motor oil? ( I use fully synthetic, usually Mobil 1). As for the compression test, that's been my plan-and I've got prior test results for comparison. Sorry to say, I've never had to do a cooling system pressure test...guess I'm gonna learn!

Oh, and about the womens' clothing- me too! ;E

Anyone else care to contribute?

 

Yea, the oil down the cylinders is just to lubricate them since the car has been sitting so long. It will also help to keep the compression test from being affected by cylinder blow-by. Any motor oil will work since it's a small amount.