Restarting after long storage

[Wilk]

Have a motor that’s been laid up for around ten years. Currently getting to the time it’ll be ready to fire up but have a few queries

Do/should I change the old oil out first. It was low mileage prior to storage. The lumps been turned over via the crank a few times over the years and moves smoothly. If I don’t drop the oil before it’s start up I’m thinking of removing a litre via the dip stick and adding a new litre to the top end to allow it to run through things before trying to turn it over without the plugs in, hopefully allowing the pump to push oil to where it belongs

What’s your thoughts?

[igor]

I'd probably just give it a spin and see if it starts but I'm a rough curse word. What you suggest re circulation of oil through the top end sounds sensible though.

[bricol]

If it was something I gave a stuff about, I'd change the oil and filter - thats a long time to be stood and condensation will have formed a few times. Same if it has a timing belt.

Something cheap? - like my Pug 106 - changed the belt once in the last 15 years, gets left for years then simply restarted and driven. I probably ought to change the oil, but it still seems to be working well. I did have to free off the carb spindle this time though

[heavyspanners]

I just did this with my Mini, which has been off the road since 2002 and not started in all that time.

Fortunately I had filled it with fresh oil just before it went into hibernation, but I realised that over the years it would've all collected at the bottom of the engine (in the gearbox, as it's a Mini) so I added a little more just to make sure the top end of the engine had a bit of lubrication immediately on start-up, before the oil pump got busy.

I took the plugs out and pushed the car along in gear to see if the engine turned. It was all good - but I had to replace the coil, leads, and distributor cap before it would run.

[comfortablynumb]

I normally change oil and filter, turn by hand and then on starter a few times without plugs until pressure builds up ( assuming it does!) and then replace ignition components, bit of fresh fuel and give it a try

[Wilk]

Thanks folks. Car is precious so I’d like to be careful. The timing belt was changed a few months before being laid up and I intend to do it again ASAP as it was so long ago. Fortunately it’s a non-contact engine so I’m going to make sure it’ll start ok first. Then it’s getting a full service

Today’s plan is to get the fuel tank refitted and fresh fuel and refit the clutch slave. Should then be ready to try to fire it up

[steveo3002]

cup full over the rocker gear wouldnt hurt..otherwise id not worry too much

[fazzer]

If its petrol take out spark plugs and turn it over ,gets the oil around all the dry bits .

[Phil H]

if possible, pop the filter off and fill/prime it with oil if possible (assuming a replaceable filter rather than an element type) - saves the pump trying to fill it up before oil reaches the bits it needs to. Certainly spin it plugs out until you see oil pressure.

[kevins]

If its not too difficult I would consider dropping the sump and cleaning it out first, even after draining the oil the bottom of the sump in our minor had 1/2 inch of what looked like tar in it which would be the first thing to be drawn into the engine on start up.