Xterra sat parked for ~11 months

[westslope]

I just re-insured the X and drove to Kal Tire for a wheel alignment after finally finishing the installment of the LCAs, WBHAs, outer tie-rod ends, sway bar bushings and links.

Is there anything special I should do? Additives for the gasoline tank?

Sea foam? I sea foamed the WD-21 pathfinder a long time ago and ended up destroying a cat. That might have been my fault for using too high of a concentration in the gas tank.

Everything seems to work just fine on the X. The ABS and other lights that came on from the worn out wheel bearing and hub assembly (WBHA) went away as soon after I started driving. No SES, no codes.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Do nothing other than fill up the tank?

Incidentally, I changed the oil after it sat in the engine for well over 2 years. The Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W 30 oil looked great. It was still translucent. Figured it was time for a change.

 

[BCXterra]

Make sure no mouse/wasp nests in the air filter!

That’s happened to me before.

 

[TerryD]

I like the Chevron Techron fuel treatment myself. Seems to do a good job.

Might want to do a short interval oil change on it just to clear out any excess moisture and contaminants that have collected in the engine that might come loose after driving for while.

 

[westslope]

I have been to two local Chevron stations and neither of them sell Chevron Techron fuel treatment. Both stations sell STP and other company fuel treatments.

Not sure I want to short-interval change out the Mobil 1 EP 5W30 I just put in.... it is expensive! but I get the reasoning. Thanks TerryD.


@BCXterra: the X was parked in a closed garage. We had 3 cats (well now just one after the coyotes came through....) so insects and rodents are not a pressing concern.

But you know, just to be sure, I am going to take another look at the air filter. -hehe-

 

[TerryD]

You have to get that treatment from an auto parts store or Wal-Mart. Although I'm surprised that those stations don't sell it... I just grabbed two bottles at Advance yesterday. They had the 20oz bottles on sale.

 

[westslope]

@TerryD: I just checked Walmart.ca. Chevron 266368279 Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner - Case of 6 is available for C$112 and must be ordered on-line.

The NAPA Auto Parts store in the region does not carry it but are BIG believers in Sea Foam. I am a little nervous about Sea Foam as it took out a catylitic converter on the WD-21 pathfinder a few years back. I might have added too much. In general, keeping the pathie in good shape was achieved by keeping the manifold air-intake clean.

Right now the engine seems to be working smoothly. Idle is stable at 625 rpms.

Not sure what to do.

 

[TerryD]

Ahh, I didn't notice you were using beaver pelts and not eagle feathers. Not sure what to tell you there friend.

 

[westslope]

-hehe- Yes, the BC behind Wildfire country stands for British Columbia. Probably should drop the "Wildfire country" location as that title clearly belongs to folks in parts of California. Wow!!!


NAPA Auto Parts Canada has an article in Readers Digest Canada touting the virtues of Sea Foam: Sea Foam: What It Is and Why You Should Use It for Your Engine

I hope this is good advice as folks tend to look upon Readers Digest as an 'authority'.

 

[Just a Hunter]

Fill it up and drive it.
Dont try to fix a problem which is not present.

If you wish to use a fuel injector cleaner Chevron Techron fuel injector is probably the best in my opinion.
However, a test I read has the STP concentrate being tested as a better product than several which cost much more.

 

[westslope]

Fill it up and drive it.
Dont try to fix a problem which is not present.

.....

Agreed. Seems to behave well for the moment. The idle is stable at circa 630 rpms. Acceleration is smooth. Fuel efficiency is roughly the same as it was before sitting for almost a year according to Torque Pro information.

Locally available top-tier fuel found at Chevron or Petro-Canada service stations has detergents in it. I might get the fuel injectors cleaned by a qualified shop at some point as part of a mid-life maintenance routine but so far so good.

If there is or was condensation or residue build-ups in the fuel tank/fuel line, it should decline with additional fill-ups.