Awaking a car from a slumber...

[grifterkid]

I have been offered a car that I quite like the look of...

However, it hasn't turned a wheel nor been started in about 10-15 years!!!

What do I need to do to get this started safely...?!

I am pretty sure it's not just a case of sticking fresh jungle juice in and bunging on a charged battery (although I am tempted to give that a try!)...?!

Any help/advice would be hugely appreciated...

[swampy76]

the main thing to worry about is that the borss in the engine arnt all rusted up.

trying to start it then would cause all sorts of issues, could dribble a bit of oil down each plug hole to lubrcate things but first try and turn it over by hand

[grifterkid]

I have always wanted to know what 'turning over by hand' is...?! Please advise!!!

[Stu_B]

Remove the plugs to reduce compression & using a spanner on the end of the crank/fan, turn it over by hand.

[grifterkid]

I see... If it moves it's all good(ish) and if it's stuck I need to worry then?! Sorry for my dunce-ish approach to this...!!!

[stonio]

Make sure to disconnect carb from fuel tank, use a jerry can and fresh hose save dragging any curse word up from the tank and fuel lines..

[optimusprime]

Check oil levels first.
Make sure it's not been left in gear .........good chance clutch is stuck to flywheel.

[spandelly]

Don't connect the battery as after that long if you try to crank it then it will pull the curse word and varnished fuel into the carb. If you want to start it then first disconnect the fuel line from the carb and remove the fuse from the fuel pump. Remove the plugs and drop a bit of oil in the bores and remove the cam cover and inspect the timing belt. Put it in gear and rock the car to make sure it's not seized and turns freely. Clean the plugs and dizzy and points then connect the battery and give it a crank. If it moves freely then try a bit of easy start to get it to fire. After that flush the tank and lines thoroughly before reconnecting to the carb and fill up with fresh juice and hopefully it's just everything else to do.
Good luck mate and have fun.

[vaughant]

A lot IMO depends on what car it is. If for example its a 1990 ford escort then put some fuel and octane booster in the tank, new battery and fire it up.
If it's something a bit more fragile, like a 1970's Alfa then approach with a but more caution as above.
I've bought/owned many a car that's been laid up for a few years and in all honesty I've always approached it with the attitude of "sod it let's see if it fires up first".
As said though, check for obvious things like nothing electricals corroded away, fuel lines aren't completely perished, engine doesn't feel completely seized up etc.
Bear in mind if it uses anything like a serpentine belt there could be a good chance if an alternator/aircon pump etc is seized it will appear the engine is seized also. I've had to cut belts off cars before now due to this as the starter simply won't turn it over. If it doesn't turn with plugs out, oil in bores and belts slackened/cut then you could be in for trouble.

[Stu_B]

Another thing to remember, it was parked up for a reason so something is probably knackered

[taurus]

Loads of good advice here. Just adding my tuppenyworth...

If you say what it is it's easier to give more specific advice - eg timing belt/chain, mechanical/electric fuel pump etc.

I always do the turning the engine by hand bit, and add a small amount of oil to each cylinder before doing so. If it's a car you want to keep I'd change the oil before trying to fire it up. Also crank it to build up oil pressure before firing it (remove king lead for example).

If the clutch is stuck then once the engine is running just let it idle for a while and keep trying the clutch, they usually pop free as the heat gets into them, but it can take quite a long time.

The brakes may have seized as well, so jack up each wheel to check before trying to engage drive.

Depending on the engine design sure the water pump is free. You can turn and engine by hand and sometimes not spot the water pump isn't turning. If it's driven by the cambelt that can be even more of a problem.

If nothing else stick a plastic see-through fuel filter before the pump to catch any crud before it gets anywhere important.

Breathing life into old engines is wonderful - hope it goes well.

[datsundrew]

If it has a timing belt.......check it, and if ok, change it as soon as you're happy it's a goer! I had a 205 diesel parked up, it started, ran for 20 seconds, then ......bang!

[robw]

Yeah a bit depends on what kind of car and why, where, how it was parked and what your plans are to do with it. I'd put the drive wheels off the ground (in case of 'stuck in gear surprises and check the brakes work/wheels aren't seized too).

But basically check all the fluids (including coolant!), make sure anything that should turn can (checking by reducing compression as above and spinning by hand/spanner - may require some force but not huge amounts unless it's a massive engine. Squirting some light oil into the bores is good, disconnecting the fuel lines and running fresh fuel from a jerry can can be helpful. Leave the plugs out and run the starter motor until the oil light goes off/have oil pressure. Some advise running the oil pump (if possible) remotely by drill first to bring up oil pressure but I haven't done this as yet. It also doesn't hurt to remove the tappet cover/s (if it's not a big job) and put some oil on the top end prior to cranking it.

Once you've got oil pressure, you want clean air (remove or new filter) and fresh fuel (filling tank/use jerry can - be careful of backfires if it's a carb engine! I've never done this with EFI due to the whole pump situation).


Once you have fuel pressure you want spark. So make sure all the connections are good, put your plugs back in (I'm sure you've cleaned and gapped them), clean the ign points if it has them (again for EFI, which is black magic, then cross your fingers). If it has a dizzy make sure that the cap/rotor are firm in place and that it's pointing in roughly the right place - even straight at cylinder 1 at TDC is ok).

Crank the engine being sparing on the fuel - maybe a few pumps of the accelerator. If it's a carb engine then when you were checking fuel pressure it would have ended up by checking that fuel squirted into the carb when you pushed the pedal. Listen for the car to 'want' to fire. If there's no life at all try some ether (various brands). If it 'want's' to fire but can't then use your problem solving to see what's stopping it (fuel/air/spark/timing [F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the checklist]) but that's a whole 'nother thread.

When it starts, be gentle. Don't rev the guts out of it. There WILL be smoke, funny smells - be aware for any bad noises like bangs or taps. Bangs maybe for the 1st few seconds and taps for maybe a minute or so but keep an eye on the oil pressure if you get a light/no reading shut it down asap.

Let the car idle for a few mins to get to operating temperature (even if you have to jiggle the throttle etc). Once it's at temp you can give it a bit more herbs to see how it reacts and give it a basic tune if you're able (I think most EFI will be ok as they're pretty set without a laptop. From there you can test some gears etc.

It's always handy to have a mate to help, especially if they have abit of mechanical knowledge. But even just having a second set of eyes etc is handy and can pick up stuff you don't see/forgot etc.

Good luck

[grifterkid]

Well, there is a worth of knowledge there so thanks a million to one and all for sharing...

The engine is a 1500 Triumph OHV unit by the way and I believe they are pretty hardy?!

[robw]

Sweet let us know how it goes!

[grifterkid]

Just a quick update on this... I had to pass on this specific motor as I had to use my head this time and it was telling me to fix the car I already own!!! Oh well, another car another time perhaps?! Thanks to all for the advice, I am sure I will use it one day...