Starting a car after a year
Discussion
At the moment I am going for the cheapest possible motoring. I have a mk4 Escort 1.3 (the that's sat since December last year. In the months before being laid up the oil pressure light would take half a second or so (if that) before going out upon a cold start-up, but it was always solid and very reliable. No leaks though and never used any oil (or water). Low miles and had been serviced every year with an oil & filter every 6 months from new, well looked after car mechanically 
It wasn't intended to be sat for more than a few weeks so there was no preparation done, it was literally parked on the drive and hasn't moved since! 
My intention is to try to get it started and take it for an MOT, but are there any specific precautions I should take before? New battery & fresh petrol are a given (drain the old petrol or just top it up?). Reading about the web maybe an oil & filter change too?
Any other ideas that I should be following? Cheers
It wasn't intended to be sat for more than a few weeks so there was no preparation done, it was literally parked on the drive and hasn't moved since! My intention is to try to get it started and take it for an MOT, but are there any specific precautions I should take before? New battery & fresh petrol are a given (drain the old petrol or just top it up?). Reading about the web maybe an oil & filter change too?
Any other ideas that I should be following? Cheers
Before starting the engine turn it over by hand to ensure it turns freely.
Then before firing it up remove the fuel pump fuse (can also unplug crankshaft position sensor etc-basically anything to allow the engine to turn over without firing) and turn it over on the starter motor for 10-15 seconds to build up oil pressure.
Once you've done this, refit removed immobilisation fuse and turn the key
After running up the engine and getting it to temperature, drop the oil and change the filter.
Then before firing it up remove the fuel pump fuse (can also unplug crankshaft position sensor etc-basically anything to allow the engine to turn over without firing) and turn it over on the starter motor for 10-15 seconds to build up oil pressure.
Once you've done this, refit removed immobilisation fuse and turn the key
After running up the engine and getting it to temperature, drop the oil and change the filter.
Porkis said:
Jeez, it was 12 months, not 12 years, just get it started, and get on with life!
itcaptainslow said:
Before starting the engine turn it over by hand to ensure it turns freely.
Then before firing it up remove the fuel pump fuse (can also unplug crankshaft position sensor etc-basically anything to allow the engine to turn over without firing) and turn it over on the starter motor for 10-15 seconds to build up oil pressure.
Once you've done this, refit removed immobilisation fuse and turn the key
After running up the engine and getting it to temperature, drop the oil and change the filter.
... but that was more what I'm looking for. Thank you Then before firing it up remove the fuel pump fuse (can also unplug crankshaft position sensor etc-basically anything to allow the engine to turn over without firing) and turn it over on the starter motor for 10-15 seconds to build up oil pressure.
Once you've done this, refit removed immobilisation fuse and turn the key
After running up the engine and getting it to temperature, drop the oil and change the filter.
Charge or swap the battery and then start it. Or use jump leads for the hassle and cost free version.
If it runs, top the tyres up and drive it for an mot. Worst case you've lost only £50 for the mot fee. Best case you have 12 months mot, drive it home and change all the fluids/ batteries/ fuel until you feel happy.
Job jobbed
If it runs, top the tyres up and drive it for an mot. Worst case you've lost only £50 for the mot fee. Best case you have 12 months mot, drive it home and change all the fluids/ batteries/ fuel until you feel happy.
Job jobbed
eltax91 said:
Charge or swap the battery and then start it. Or use jump leads for the hassle and cost free version.
If it runs, top the tyres up and drive it for an mot. Worst case you've lost only £50 for the mot fee. Best case you have 12 months mot, drive it home and change all the fluids/ batteries/ fuel until you feel happy.
Job jobbed
Well find a no pass no fee MOT test station and happy days. If it runs, top the tyres up and drive it for an mot. Worst case you've lost only £50 for the mot fee. Best case you have 12 months mot, drive it home and change all the fluids/ batteries/ fuel until you feel happy.
Job jobbed
OP
Check the oil level and coolant is all good.
Charge battery and off you go.
Or if you are worried which you shouldn't be - take off the HT leads and turn it over for 20 seconds oil will get everywhere then reconnect the HT leads and start it back up.
Or you could change the oil all the filters spark plugs and a new battery - then start it up happy days.
Or as its been standing for so long some tappet springs will have been fully compressed for a whole year so rebound will be notably different so change them and all the bearings as its been sitting on them so will have flat spots discs will be pitted etc.
Our office pool car a 51 plate focus 1.6cl with 46000m had sat outside for 18m until last week when I was thinking about buying it. I could have got it for £150 so thought worth a punt.
I wish I had read this beforehand.
I managed to jump start it and the belts were squealing, annoying I thought. Stopped after a couple of mins, I thought my luck was in but no, smoke and smell of burning accompanied by fire like crackling and the belts had disintegrated and started to burn.
Our office had contracted a breakers to uplift it for £100 but I had said I may buy it from them and they agreed at £150. In the end I didn't do the deal and on Friday it was lifted or scrap.
A sad end to a neglected wee car.
I wish I had read this beforehand.
I managed to jump start it and the belts were squealing, annoying I thought. Stopped after a couple of mins, I thought my luck was in but no, smoke and smell of burning accompanied by fire like crackling and the belts had disintegrated and started to burn.
Our office had contracted a breakers to uplift it for £100 but I had said I may buy it from them and they agreed at £150. In the end I didn't do the deal and on Friday it was lifted or scrap.
A sad end to a neglected wee car.
Given Car SOS, Wreaks to riches, Texas scrap yard challenges, fast and loud etc simply squirt some fresh fuel into the carbs on some engines not run for 30 years with nothing more than checking engine isn't seized and it has oil.
Heck they don't even bother with coolant initially as no coolant makes no difference for a quite a few mins so a start up to check its ok is fine.
Get it started.
Heck they don't even bother with coolant initially as no coolant makes no difference for a quite a few mins so a start up to check its ok is fine.
Get it started.
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