starting a car after 12months

[newbie29]

Looking to start a car that hasn’t been started for around 12months.

Most of the stuff on the net says I should crank the engine buy hand to lubricate the engine

could I achieve the same by turning the engine a few times with the key…. but not getting to the stage where the car starts up…would this get oil to the any dry areas and petrol into the pistons for lubrication, before i allow the car to fire up . Almost Mimicking a hand crank turn over.

Thanks

[Taita]

Quick battery top up if needed, tiny amount of starter motor, start as normal and give it 2 mins, then normal driving until fully hot.

Be reet.

Swap oil if concerned about age of it, eg several years old.

[sticks090460]

Charge battery. Change oil if you like. Take the spark plug leads off and crank on the starter for a bit. Refit said leads. Start, drive away.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Check the levels, charge the battery, turn the the key and fire it up.

[CrutyRammers]

sticks090460 said:

Charge battery. Change oil if you like. Take the spark plug leads off and crank on the starter for a bit. Refit said leads. Start, drive away.

Do that if you're worried, but honestly, just start it and get on with your day.

[pherlopolus]

Check the levels and turn the key.

I would be filling it to the brim with petrol a few times in case the fuel has gone off a bit. Probably check tyres after a hundred miles or so in case it gets flat spots.

[CarCrazyDad]

newbie29 said:

Looking to start a car that hasn’t been started for around 12months.

Most of the stuff on the net says I should crank the engine buy hand to lubricate the engine

could I achieve the same by turning the engine a few times with the key…. but not getting to the stage where the car starts up…would this get oil to the any dry areas and petrol into the pistons for lubrication, before i allow the car to fire up . Almost Mimicking a hand crank turn over.

Thanks

Yes you could do that, probably not a bad idea for a couple of "fake starts" otherwise start it, let it idle for 5-10 mins and move on!!!

[MrGTI6]

Check fluids, jump start it, leave it ticking over for a couple of minutes, then off you go. If you left the handbrake on when you parked it up, grab a hammer.

[king arthur]

If the battery has been flat for an indeterminate period of time you may find it won't take a charge and will need to be changed.

[pits]

just lob a battery on it and start it, top up the oil a little bit if you're concerned, maybe chuck some fresh fuel in it

[donkmeister]

Have the bonnet/engine cover open when you start it - there may be smoke and it is reassuring to see it's just some crud on the exhaust manifold rather than something smoking that shouldn't be.

Also, just have a quick look around in case there's a mouse nest or similar in there. I once found a squirrel's pantry in a car that hadn't been started for years

[Tony1963]

To a degree it may depend on the car.

Most cars made in the last 30 years or so, as above.

A Lotus Sunbeam…. Hmm. That’d be different.

Anything even mildly exotic, hmm. Be careful.

Anything Korean, id be hoping the crank snaps. (Joking!)

[Garvin]

Check fluid levels and that the engine can be turned over by hand. Remove spark plugs. Remove fuel injection/fuel pump fuse. Spin engine on starter - needs less than 10 secs to get oil around the galleries and some pressure in the system. Refit spark plugs and fuses and away you go. Fresh fuel and fuel system/injector cleaner asap.

[GreenV8S]

Cranking the engine over without allowing it to start is pretty hard on the cam. I think you'd be better off just checking the fluid levels, making sure the battery is charged and then starting it as normal.

[anonymous-user]

Read this for inspiration

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I wouldn't hesitate to jump in and drive it, you may even find the battery is OK but if in doubt, charge it first. Fuel will be fine after 12m.

[Garvin]

GreenV8S said:

Cranking the engine over without allowing it to start is pretty hard on the cam. I think you'd be better off just checking the fluid levels, making sure the battery is charged and then starting it as normal.

It’s not just the cam. It’s lubricating the main and big end bearings. Spinning the engine over without any compression puts naff all load on those bearings whilst awaiting the oil to get pumped in. Start an engine where there could be little oil there and the wear on those bearings will be in a different league until the oil pressure builds up!

[steveo3002]

id just fit a new battery /charged battery and start it ...its 12 months not 12 years

[TEKNOPUG]

How long does it take for all the oil to drain to the sump? A few hours? Days? Weeks? You don't prime the oil pressure first thing every morning, even though the oil has had all night to drain into the sump.

If there is any doubt that the oil pump is seized or the engine has sprung a leak, then it maybe prudent. Although it's a bit pointless if you haven't got an oil pressure gauge.

[Petrus1983]

I’m just doing this at the moment - I can’t believe how hard it is to change a Smart car battery.

[The Mad Monk]

newbie29 said:

Looking to start a car that hasn’t been started for around 12months.

Most of the stuff on the net says I should crank the engine buy hand to lubricate the engine

could I achieve the same by turning the engine a few times with the key…. but not getting to the stage where the car starts up…would this get oil to the any dry areas and petrol into the pistons for lubrication, before i allow the car to fire up . Almost Mimicking a hand crank turn over.

Thanks

Can I come and watch and make helpful comments when you try to start it?

You are in Middlesex, not far from me.