# 2003 Chevrolet Malibu sat for 5 years

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, malibu\
**Created:** [May 10, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122 "2018-05-10T14:18:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![trishaminnis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@trishaminnis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/trishaminnis)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122/1 "2018-05-10T14:18:50Z")

</div>

how to start a cAR that has been sitting for 5 years its a 03 chevy malibu

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122/2 "2018-05-11T02:38:25Z")

</div>

The first problem you’re going to encounter is the bad gas in the gas tank.

Remove the gas cap and take a whiff at the filler neck.

If the smell almost knocks you to the floor, you’re going to need to rebuild the fuel system.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122/3 "2018-05-11T03:24:42Z")

</div>

Agreed with Tester and especially so if the gasoline in it is Ethanol.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122/4 "2018-05-11T03:27:47Z")

</div>

I agree with @Tester. You’ll know it’s got bad gasoline when you sniff it. It’s a stink not easily forgotten.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-malibu-sat-for-5-years/117122/5 "2018-05-11T03:36:26Z")

</div>

Besides the gasoline problem above, you’ll have to buy a new battery probably. Test the existing one to see if it will still hold a charge of course. Use a battery charger on the 2 amp charge rate at least overnight, preferably 24 hours. Top off the battery fluid w/distilled h20 first, if applicable.

Once you get ready to actually try to start it, suggest first to remove the spark plugs and put a tablespoon of engine oil into each hole, replace the plugs, disable the ignition system and crank it two or three times, 5-10 seconds each time. Wait a minute or so in between each crank.