I've been searching and searching, but it's hard to find a van with the specs I want.I just talked to a guy who is selling one. The catch is, he inherited it, and it has not been driven since his relative's death in 2012...and not much before that. Low miles! One owner. Garaged.I'm going to check in out, probably tomorrow. I can look into the issues of expired tags, insurance, etc. But what should I be concerned about, mechanically? Is it bad to even start it up without siphoning out the presumably antique gas that's in it? Someone else already has, drove it 3 miles, the seller says.I spent $1500 on my current van after a bad tank of gas last year. Cleaning injectors, new fuel pump, etc. Am I looking at those, at least? What else?Thanks, youse guys, for any advice :).

What year is the van? Check for rust, check oil, new gas for sure, check the tires for age and cracks, in other words give it a good once over, Brakes etc.

Thanks, swamprat01! It's 96, which is at the old end of my searching spectrum. (But low miles, for good or bad.) The van is on the west coast, so rust is rarely an issue.What should I look at with the oil, other than is it full, and leaks?I can look at all the normal stuff, and have a mechanic check it out. I am just wondering what things might be special to a long-sitting vehicle.

Probably need battery, and new tires, for starters. Then an oil and filter change, just to be sure. From there, I'd do the coolant, and then drive it back home and when got home, drain and change the filter on the transmission and the ATF fluid.

If it starts and runs smooth take a long drive and suck up what's in the tank. Then refill with Chevron Or Shell gasoline both of which have effective Urea cleaner additives. If the van is 30-miles from the coast and or south of San Francisco minimim worries about condensation in the gasoline. But do change the fuel filter within 30-days. Newer vehicles have carbon cannister venting for the gas tank.No matter how things go get that battery load tested after a long drive. Unit is new enough to have ENGINE CHECK warning light. Keep an eye on it. And air up those tires. Drive 25-40 mph max until tires work out their kinks. 3-4 miles.

4 years not driven on West coast, where condensation issues don't exist is not a problem, but 20 years old vehicle is several generations of technology old. Can you still find mechanic who can adjust carburetor, or is it injection?Typical check for the engine is compression check what can be substituted on cars by acceleration test. No idea how you can compare acceleration on old RV. I would not start it on gas sitting over 4 years in tank. You can easy buy a small tank from lawnmower and run new hose to fuel system with fresh gas. Old tank fuel strainer is very likely clogged with goo.

Buying a van that has been sitting for years? | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2016
Check out all rubber - belts, hoses, etc. (not just tires), including fuel lines. Old fuel hoses can leak gas like nobody's business (and you don't want to be driving around trying to figure out why you're only getting 4mpg).

Other than that, it's really the same as buying any used vehicle (of any age). You've been driving your current van around enough to know the issues that are the most disastrous/expensive - focus on those.

96 isn't so old that there aren't mechanics to work on it - look for shops with mechanics in their mid-30's and older and you'll be fine. They would have been teens at the youngest when that technology was new, so would have worked on them.
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2016
Get somebody to check the engine and fuel tank. If everything looks good, do what you would do with an old used car - change battery and oil. Fully service the tranny - this will cost a bit more than oil change. 4 year old gas should be drained.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2016
4 years not driven on West coast, where condensation issues don't exist is not a problem, but 20 years old vehicle is several generations of technology old.
Can you still find mechanic who can adjust carburetor, or is it injection?
Typical check for the engine is compression check what can be substituted on cars by acceleration test. No idea how you can compare acceleration on old RV.
I would not start it on gas sitting over 4 years in tank. You can easy buy a small tank from lawnmower and run new hose to fuel system with fresh gas.
Old tank fuel strainer is very likely clogged with goo.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
If it starts and runs smooth take a long drive and suck up what's in the tank. Then refill with Chevron Or Shell gasoline both of which have effective Urea cleaner additives. If the van is 30-miles from the coast and or south of San Francisco minimim worries about condensation in the gasoline. But do change the fuel filter within 30-days. Newer vehicles have carbon cannister venting for the gas tank.

No matter how things go get that battery load tested after a long drive. Unit is new enough to have ENGINE CHECK warning light. Keep an eye on it. And air up those tires. Drive 25-40 mph max until tires work out their kinks. 3-4 miles.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
Probably need battery, and new tires, for starters. Then an oil and filter change, just to be sure. From there, I'd do the coolant, and then drive it back home and when got home, drain and change the filter on the transmission and the ATF fluid.
Naio
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2016
Thanks, swamprat01! It's 96, which is at the old end of my searching spectrum. (But low miles, for good or bad.) The van is on the west coast, so rust is rarely an issue.

What should I look at with the oil, other than is it full, and leaks?

I can look at all the normal stuff, and have a mechanic check it out. I am just wondering what things might be special to a long-sitting vehicle.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
What year is the van? Check for rust, check oil, new gas for sure, check the tires for age and cracks, in other words give it a good once over, Brakes etc.

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Buying a van that has been sitting for years?

27 Replies

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