Pilo-Wedgebits wants to know about Un-Storage

[honestjohntoo]

Pilo-Wedgebits said:

What would you recommend you do to a wedge that has just come out of a long period of "storage"

Too many unspecified conditions:

So, was it a runner correctly mothballed with full tank of fuel to minimise rust corrosion, tyres 5 - 10 psi over pressurised, hand brake off, clutch plates and brake friction surface cleaned and dried by slipping under load just prior to storage, battery removed, brain disconnected and dry stored, full fluids, good antifreeze, can of wd40 emptied all over engine bay, yada, yada, yada.

If yes, plug and play, methinks! Connect battery and brain and fire it up! It'll run like a swiss sewing machine.

Of course that never happens, so pick 'n mix from:

Check tyres, change lubrication fluids, change brake/clutch fluids, fresh battery, free the brakes/clutch, flush and reverse flush cooling system - refill, check for leaks, penetrating oil on all moving parts, eg, bowden cables/brake levers/throttle linkages, wiper linkages/bearings, blah, blah, blah.

And for the neglected Efi System:

Take off the plenum (and trumpet housing?) - be amazed at the crud thereabouts, clean joints/mating faces/galleries/breathers/throttle mechanism and plate, use wd40 & warm hot-air-gun to soften injector type connectors before very careful removal, ditto all other connectors and air pipes, inspect all electrical connections for damage, clean and lube contacts with vaseline, check air pipes for perishing/splitting, clean and protect all local earths, remove/inspect/service injectors as req'd - Phew - optionally test usual suspects (electrical components), re-assemble 'sans' air leaks, check the fuel system for crud-free flow into a see thro' container, if running clear reconnect to a new filter, otherwise clean out tank/pump.

Check all above for Errors and Omissions, Fire up and Be Happy.

And in your particular situation (Pile of Bits) I suggest - Prayer!

Discuss?

[Pilo-Wedgebits]

Hi John,

Well, thanks for that I think....

A prayer yes, definitely.

I don't have my pile of bits now, just a 350i which has stood for 2 years, started regularly blah blah blah..

To be fair it started on the key when I jump started her on Monday to load up on the trailer, but I didn't want to re-start it until I had done all the necessaries to ensure I don't do too much damage due to being too eager.

I was planning to change the plugs, coolant, oil , filter, battery etc and thought about dropping out the fuel and changing the fuel pipes (having seen the state of the one on my old wedge )

Hadn't thought about the other items, including brake fluid and clutch fluid, but that makes good sense.

I've never touched a plenum before so that should be an experience.

Thanks again for your help

Cheers

Shaun

[gavinv88]

Hi guys, shaun, thanks for asking the question as i am about to board that same vessel and you saved me a shed load of (in my case) slow typing!!
Honestjohntoo....thanks for that advice

[Pilo-Wedgebits]

Hi Gavin

What have you got then?

Cheers Shaun

[JVaughan]

My Wedge has sat fpor the last 4 years, only covering 200 miles. Its started every few weeks and run until the fan kicks in. Fuel is replaced as it is used, and tyres are rotated at the same time. Car was laid up after its last MOT and major Service so All lubrication points should have been addressed.
On the occasional Sunny day I do take it for a run around the block just to blow out the cobwebs

[gavinv88]

Pilo-Wedgebits said:

Hi Gavin

What have you got then?

Cheers Shaun

not in my possesion yet shaun, but deposit down and transport in hand. series 1 350. love at first sight. will post photies as soon as i can.

[adam quantrill]

JVaughan said:

On the occasional Sunny day I do take it for a run around a disused airfield just to blow out the cobwebs

Jason, if you are on SORN you might like to check your original post is like the wording above, to avoid problems ;^) you don't know who's reading what these days...

[honestjohntoo]

Pilo-Wedgebits said:

stood for 2 years, started regularly blah blah blah .... To be fair it started on the key when I jump started her on Monday to load up on the trailer, but I didn't want to re-start it until I had done all the necessaries

To be fair, "started regularly" is not the same as being laid up and left alone. Hush my mouth for wrong assumption.

If you had oil pressure, no overheating, regular heartbeat and the brakes work, check the fluids and take it for a high rpm blast. Use low gears, keep the revs high and stay local (so you can push it home ), slip the clutch and brakes to clean them off and take note of any troubles, what-ever, then deal with them.

Its a short cut but justified in your circumstances.