Looking for advise on engine issue please

[mykelamy]

Ok, looking for some help. I have a 1998 Boxster that I bought without much info about the engine. It's been sitting for 8 years. It appears to be in good shape. I replaced the keys, locks, immobilizer computer and ignition. Now I'm looking to see if the engine is any good. Is there a way to see if it's seized and what should I do before trying to start it if it's not seized. It has 61K on engine. My son and I are working on this together and are hoping for the best.

[78F350]

I recommend that you:

• Remove the sump plate, inspect the internals from below and clean the sump. Reinstall sump, new oil and filter. I'd use cheap oil and change it after the first 100 miles or so.
• Pull all the plugs, spray fogging oil in each cylinder.
• Turn the engine by hand with a wrench on the crank pulley behind the seats. Make sure it turns smoothly - with the plugs out, there is no compression.
• With the plugs still out, crank the starter. It should crank quickly and blow the remaining fogging oil out the spark plug holes.
• Inspect plugs and coils. consider replacing the spark plug tubes and o-ring while you are there.
• Install plugs and coils.

Other thoughts:

• Is your gasoline 8 years old? pump it out and put fresh gas in. Use a good injector cleaning additive.
• Have you looked at the vacuum hoses?
• Spray some MAF cleaner on the MAF.
• Clean the throttle body.
• That's a quick list, I'm sure there's plenty more to consider...

Quick prayer.
Start it.

[Stroked & Blown]

You can remove the front engine cover and try to turn the engine over with a large wrench or breaker bar. The front engine cover is behind the seats, under the carpet:
https://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/29841-front-engine-cover-removal/?do=findComment&comment=158044
If you can’t turn it over by hand, remove the coils and plugs, spray WD-40 into the cylinders, let it sit for a few hours, and try again.

[BoxsterSteve]

Pull off the serpentine belt and try turning the engine over by hand with a 24mm socket on a breaker bar.
Verify the idler pullies and other accessories turn freely too.
If you can turn it by hand and all accessories are free spinning, reinstall the belt.
Have fresh fuel in it and crank it over with the key until it just catches and promptly shut it off.
Do this 4 or 5 times to prime the oiling system and then do it for real.
Best of luck with your car’s rebirth.

[mykelamy]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try this out tomorrow. Thank you.