Vw golf bluemotion Tsi 1.4 been sitting idle

[Jbg69]

Hi all,

I’ve got a 2013 golf that’s been sitting off road and hasn’t been started in approx 1 year.

I’ve had a couple of people tell me that it will be fine just to jump start the car and see what happens and I’ve had a couple tell me that I should drain oil and fuel and install new battery before starting it for the first time.

I’m guessing the best option would be to get it towed to the nearest vw garage and get them to do a full service with new tyres etc but I’m quite restrained by budget.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

[Julian Thompson]

I did once have an issue with a batch of fuel at that time frame - it had turned to chewing gum and ruined a fuel pump and blocked my injectors. Total faff.

Having said that I am fairly certain that was an isolated case and so if that were me I would charge the battery fully, top up the fuel tank with new petrol and start it up. Probably a nice idea to do oil and filter after you have it running and the battery won’t have enjoyed it but overall I think you’ll be fine.

[anonymous-user]

Rather than jump start it I'd remove the battery and fully charge on a charger before starting - less chance of damaging anything on either car.

[Amused2death]

If the oil looks ok I'd be pulling the plug leads and turning it over to get some oil round the camshaft area first.

[Julian Thompson]

My opinion on this is that as long as the car has oil in the filter and pump then it shouldn’t suck any air and starting it will be fine. If you’ve rebuilt or fully drained a motor then cranking it with no plugs in (not just the leads removed) will give you less load and hence more rpm to eradicate any air and get oil circulation.

For that first start on a rebuilt motor you’re relying on assembly lubricant really but with something like this there will still be lubrication between the parts even after 12 months.

Belt and braces would therefore be plugs out and spin it up but honestly on a motor like this genuinely I’d just keep my eye on the pressure light when it fires up and don’t rev it or drive it until you’re sure the light is staying off.

But good call for bringing that up - interesting topic that everyone has a view on. Would be interested to hear others.

[Jack_and_MLE]

After a long layup usually during winter on my car I removed the plugs, drop a very small amount of oil in the cylinder and crank the engine for about 20 seconds or until the low pressure oil light turns off.

[HustleRussell]

Good god, just put a battery in it and start it!

Amused2death said:

If the oil looks ok I'd be pulling the plug leads and turning it over to get some oil round the camshaft area first.

What's a plug lead?

[GreenV8S]

Amused2death said:

If the oil looks ok I'd be pulling the plug leads and turning it over to get some oil round the camshaft area first.

That's probably not actually helping the camshaft. The lower the engine speed the more revolutions it will need to bring the oil pressure up, and the greater the peak load on the cam. Just starting the engine as normal and getting it running as soon as possible is likely to be better from the cam's point of view.

[Saleen836]

HustleRussell said:

Good god, just put a battery in it and start it!

Amused2death said:

If the oil looks ok I'd be pulling the plug leads and turning it over to get some oil round the camshaft area first.

What's a plug lead?

This ^^^^
Just put some fresh fuel in it charge the battery and fire it up!