Some info please

[justplainjoe]

Hi, There has been a 1991 explorer sitting down the road for over a year that has not been started in that time. It ran before that. Could you tell me what to look for, major problems (if any). It went thru a northeast usa winter. Should I change all fluids before trying to start?

[75K30]

Welcome to the site;

By simply sitting for a year, it is very possible that the vehicle will start right up with little effort, and should be un-eventfull. As long as the engine was not directly exposed to the elements it was prorbably pretty safe under the hood of the vehicle.
By all means, do check the fluids for proper level, and it would be a good idea to samle the fuel that is remaining. A simple smell test should tell you whether or not it is any good or not.
I have run plenty of engines with gas that was over a year old. May not run super well, but will run. Draining the old fuel if it smells bad is best.
Chances are very high that the oil has since drained into the pan, and most or all of the oil passages are dry. This means if it starts right away, it is going to clatter a bit during start up, but should clear itself up right away when oil pressure is achieved.
Again, welcome, and I think you should be alright.

[bubbas91lariat]

Checkin the fluids is always a good idea. I dont really know much about this but im gonna say that you might want to check to make sure it hadn siezed up yet. I dont think it will have siezed up by now but its probably best to check.

[97SierraStepSde]

um.. an engine doesnt seize itself..maybe if the engine is all rusted and ****. But anyway its a ford so I wouldnt put 2 much heart in it haha but any vehicle going thru winters is usually gonna have atleased surface rust on the frame. If ur looking 4 something 2 last a couple yrs or so this might be a little on the 'eh' spectrum as a 'should I buy'. But thats just some 2 cents. Good luck tho