Back to life. What's to be done?

[Anti fragile]

I have spent many hours mooching on here, mostly Readers Cars. I am looking for simple advice as to the best way to bring my Clio Trophy back to life after 5 years sleeping.
She was put to bed after sustaining cosmetic front end damage in a shunt with an HGV rear bar at about 10mph. Repaired via insurance (couple of grand allegedly) and parked up.
Prior to removing her nose she was well maintained with 1000 miles on cam belt and tensioner replacement and recent service. Current mileage around 70k but unsure which side!

The question is, what must I do to revitalise prior to even turning the key?
I am not concerned about shocks, brakes etc since they will all be replaced or upgraded. It is the engine side of things including ancillaries.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

[adsvx220]

Give her an oil and filter change. Take plugs out turn her over a few times to get the oil around the system, re-fit plugs and fire her up.

May need new tyres and fresh fuel also.

Adam

[JapFreak786]

Change engine oil and empty out the fuel that was in there and replace with new. Maybe worth checking what condition the coolant is in and also I'd say you should remove and replace the spark plugs.

[Anti fragile]

Cheers people.

Could the cam belt have perished at the points of tension, unseen by the eyes? The same with other belts too?

[jayemm89]

I would definitely replace the belt, and check any other important rubber bits (eg coolant hoses).

I have a pair of Ferrari cambelts on my garage wall (sadly not my Ferrari!) and they are still stuck in the shape they were left in for two years between changes, let alone five!

[paintman]

If you have any doubts then change them.
They may be absolutely fine, but it will be on your mind & for the cost of the belts & a timing belt kit - assuming your going to DIY - you will remove the doubt.

[anonymous-user]

I wouldn't bother draining the fuel, just top it up with fresh unleaded and it should start. New oil and filter, pump the tyres up and off you go to the MOT station.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

Stop calling it a 'her' for a start. It's a Clio, not some piece of beautiful exotica.
oil, filter and belts. Job done. Although it'll probably be fine to drive it now so no rush.The battery is probably dead though.

[anonymous-user]

Anti fragile said:

Cheers people.

Could the cam belt have perished at the points of tension, unseen by the eyes? The same with other belts too?

YES. New cambelt and aux belt required. While this is being done you might also want to get the water pump and dephaser changed too.

The tyres are probably no good either. Check for little animals hiding in the exhaust, airbox and other small places too.

[Anti fragile]

DrDoofenshmirtz said:

Stop calling it a 'her' for a start. It's a Clio, not some piece of beautiful exotica.
oil, filter and belts. Job done. Although it'll probably be fine to drive it now so no rush.The battery is probably dead though.

Perhaps not beautiful exotica. Where is the line from it to her? Still a car that gave an M6 a run for its?/her? money back then in Evo and a supreme driving machine for the money although I admit that I preferred my 172 cup for the more organic experience. But that's just me.

I do think that I should do the belts also. Front Sachs need service, rears replacing, discs, pads, lines and tyres, fluids, plugs.

Now to persuade the Mrs (definitely a her!) that a grand and a half or so is worth it!

Cheers

[Buff Mchugelarge]

DrDoofenshmirtz said:

Stop calling it a 'her' for a start. It's a Clio, not some piece of beautiful exotica In My Opinion.

Fixed that for you.
To the people who own them, I'm sure they're more than 'just a Clio'

[lamboman100]

Anything that moves, flows or sparks will need replacing or relubricating. Might be easier just to buy a new one.

[Kitchski]

The first thing to do is to stop referring to it as a woman.

[Roverload]

Kitchski said:

The first thing to do is to stop referring to it as a woman.

When you've owned a car for that long they take on a new role and become more than just an inanimate object, "she" is much more heartfelt that "it". I call my banana car she, and SHE is a filthy slut!

[fangio]

Plugs out, squirt of Redex in each pot, good thrash on starter before replacing plugs. After changing oil and filter of course!

[chucks74]

fangio said:

Plugs out, squirt of Redex in each pot, good thrash on starter before replacing plugs. After changing oil and filter of course!

Good trash on starter? What do you mean?

[HaloGen8]

Good advice already been offered.

If it was me I'd drain the fuel and start with fresh (moisture in fuel after 5 years is not a good thing)

Do the belts and tensioners belt 'may' be fine but far cheaper than if it goes twang especially as a result of seized tensioners or water pump.

Oil and filter change and like has been said a quick squirt of Redex or something in the bores and do a few cranks with the king lead off.

Tyres bearing brakes etc. all should be checked and certainly a good bit of advice so far as little furry critters hiding in the air box or loom.

Good luck.

Pics??

[TooMany2cvs]

chucks74 said:

Good trash on starter? What do you mean?

Not just a quick burst, but long enough to get the oil pressure light to go out.

[Kitchski]

Roverload said:

When you've owned a car for that long they take on a new role and become more than just an inanimate object, "she" is much more heartfelt that "it". I call my banana car she, and SHE is a filthy slut!

It's a Clio Trophy, it can't be more than 10 years old. I've had one of my cars around 10 years - am I doing it wrong?

[Garvin]

Regarding fluids, I would also drain the coolant and back flush the system through with clean cold water to check for any blockages etc. keep flushing until the water runs out clear, then refill with coolant. Also check that the water pump turns freely before turning the engine over.

Also be aware that having stood without the engine running for so long you may find that the main crankshaft seals have dried out and may leak a bit when you finally fire it up!