Re starting after long lay up
Discussion
My MG Midget 1275 has not turned a wheel in 9 years. The engine was fully rebuilt a couple of years before it was laid up (long story!)
It has not started for 6-7 years but I now need to start it so that I can start a strip down for full body rebuild. Unfortunately it is in a spot where it would be difficult to tow out - much better to start the engine and move it a short distance under its own power. So far all that I have done is buy a new battery. What should I do before turning the ignition key?
It has not started for 6-7 years but I now need to start it so that I can start a strip down for full body rebuild. Unfortunately it is in a spot where it would be difficult to tow out - much better to start the engine and move it a short distance under its own power. So far all that I have done is buy a new battery. What should I do before turning the ignition key?
Absolutely fresh fuel, probably best to even ensure the carb is clean and with fresh fuel in it. Even if it also means starting from a separate fuel jug or something
At least check there is oil in it and it doesnt look terrible on the dipstick.
Pull plugs, maybe a squirt of oil down the bores and crank it over with plugs removed until you have good oil pressure.
Check there is coolant etc and no hoses have dosed or split.
Also ensure it is in neutral as depending on storage conditions the clutch disc could have stuck to the flywheel/cover so you may not be able to disengage drive.
And just a general visual, wiring, dizzy, etc etc
At least check there is oil in it and it doesnt look terrible on the dipstick.
Pull plugs, maybe a squirt of oil down the bores and crank it over with plugs removed until you have good oil pressure.
Check there is coolant etc and no hoses have dosed or split.
Also ensure it is in neutral as depending on storage conditions the clutch disc could have stuck to the flywheel/cover so you may not be able to disengage drive.
And just a general visual, wiring, dizzy, etc etc
GreenV8S said:
EddietheEType said:
My MG Midget 1275 has not turned a wheel in 9 years.
I'd want to inspect the fuel hoses before putting fuel in that.Then the fuel tank,hoses and everything else will be part of the refurb`.
Old Merc said:
GreenV8S said:
EddietheEType said:
My MG Midget 1275 has not turned a wheel in 9 years.
I'd want to inspect the fuel hoses before putting fuel in that.Then the fuel tank,hoses and everything else will be part of the refurb`.
If they were original, sure; and it's wise to check them, but I've just retired a 25 year old van with the original fuel lines.
I'd be more worried about coolant hoses.
AW111 said:
Why would fuel hoses be "perished and collapsed" after 9 years?
Because modern fuels tend to be tough on fuel hoses, ten years is easily long enough for the hoses to have age related damage and they haven't had the annual checks that they Edited by GreenV8S on Monday 16th April 16:48
Agree, I started an mgb which had been stood for 7 years and was greeted with a flood of petrol. All the above is good advice. Fresh petrol will help, it might not run at all on the stuff that's in there. Clutch may well be siezed (mine was...I brutaliased it off by turning the starter, clutch pedal down, then quickly hitting the brake as it jolted forwards...a few goes and the momentum freed it. Nasty but it was really the only way to move it). Cranking without plugs if you can to get oil pressure up makes sense, but then it's unlikely to start quickly anyway so I don't know if I'd bother. Have another car on standby for jumping duties.
AW111 said:
Why would fuel hoses be "perished and collapsed" after 9 years?
If they were original, sure; and it's wise to check them, but I've just retired a 25 year old van with the original fuel lines.
I'd be more worried about coolant hoses.
Rubber when sitting just tends to perish.If they were original, sure; and it's wise to check them, but I've just retired a 25 year old van with the original fuel lines.
I'd be more worried about coolant hoses.
ALthough probably more chance of modern hoses doing it than ones that have already survived on an MG ! lol
Some modern rubber stuff is pure dung.
AW111 said:
Old Merc said:
GreenV8S said:
EddietheEType said:
My MG Midget 1275 has not turned a wheel in 9 years.
I'd want to inspect the fuel hoses before putting fuel in that. If they were original, sure; and it's wise to check them, but I've just retired a 25 year old van with the original fuel lines.
I'd be more worried about coolant hoses.
True Pete, but the chap only wants to move it out of his garage so my point was that, yes you don't want to score the bores so spray some oil in there and turn it over a few times but then start it up and move it... It's an MG Midget with (I assume) SU carbs not some modern thing with high pressure, recirculating fuel pumps and injectors. 
Edited by RichB on Tuesday 17th April 20:24
Thanks for all your help and advice, folks. Yesterday I disconnected the fuel pump, turned the engine over a few times with the plugs removed to pump some oil around, put some new petrol in the carb float chambers and, after fixing a fault in the wiring to the Lumenition ignition box, it started on the button! The engine had been rebuilt not long before lay up and it ran very well - bit lumpy on choke but excellent oil pressure.
Next challenge is working out whether the body can be salvaged - it looks pretty scabby but new Heritage shells are now eye wateringly expensive.
Next challenge is working out whether the body can be salvaged - it looks pretty scabby but new Heritage shells are now eye wateringly expensive.
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