I have a 2001 Daewoo Leganza that I haven’t driven for about ten months. The car was parked in my driveway during the heavy winter snowstorm. One day, when I was inspecting my car, I found out that the front driver side floorboard was wet, and my coolant reservoir was completely empty. I also think my power steering fluid level was a bit lower than the MIN line. When I peeled the floorboard, the liquid from the floorboard had some hint of a green color, and smelled funny, so I think it was coolant plus the rainwater.
The front right tire keeps losing air, and there is vinyl wrinkle damage near the power window controls on all four doors. I suspect this came from water leaking into my car from the windows. My battery was also completely drained. My parking brake was also in the up position the whole time it was sitting.
So far, I’ve only gotten the battery replaced and I refilled the coolant reservoir with 50,50 mix. I’m not sure if it was the same type or brand of coolant that was used before. When I installed the battery, I checked my power windows, and my rear right window fell and couldn’t get back up. The motor made noises for a bit, but now it has completely stopped. I took off the door panel and could only get a glimpse of the motor. It looked like the wires were frayed but I didn’t really know how to take out the entire unit.
I’m planning on siphoning the gas from my tank into gas cans and refilling her up with fuel injector cleaner and fresh gas, and then change the oil and filter to see if the car will start. If it starts, I was going to try to locate the AC drain and try to unclog that, but I’m not really sure how to use the floor jack to jack up the car properly. My car is currently resting on a incline with the front of the car lower then the rear of the car. Can I do this on a slight incline surface?
Note: A year ago, I had coolant leaking at the sides of my car and a heater bypass was done on my vehicle. I think I hit something on the road, and it ruptured something. My vehicle overheated, and the radiator, thermostat, new hoses were all installed.
These are the tools I have with me, a multi-meter, two 5 gallon gas cans, wrenches, sockets, a bluetooth OBD II reader with the free version Torque, door panel removers, jack stands, lift, 2 wheel chocks, and a creeper.
What are the precautionary steps that I have to take to get the car running like normal again? I’m worried if I start it, it might break in the process.
Lots to do but not all needs to be done in order to make sure it will start and run. Leaving a car set is one of the worst things but is required from time to time. Replacing the battery was a good first move. This will allow you to turn the engine over to make sure it isn’t locked up. Once you know this, you can try yo start it. Of course making sure it has gas in the tank. 10 months really isn’t too long for the gas to be usable. I would just add 5 gallons of High Octane fuel to whats in it just until you get it running.
The coolant level being low and signs of coolant in the floor are not good signs. A pressure test on the coolant system should be performed to determine where the leak is and then repair the leak before driving to prevent further damage. Was this the reason for parking it?
The park brake, release the lever and after driving for about 20 miles of city stop and go traffic should wear down the rotors and pads enough to allow the car to stop normal and the park brake to be released.
The rear window issue sounds more like the window motor regulator. Generally the window motor and regulator come together and are replaced as one unit.
Of course you will need to put some air in the tire and keep an eye on it to see how quickly you will need to get the tire repaired or replaced.
If the car was driven to where it is setting and was running OK when it was parked then I would not be afraid to start it up and start fixing things.
Yeah, I wouldn’t waste much time fixin’ all the leaks and stuff until you hear it purr.
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