Time to get it back on the road....

[cirks]

Well, after my fun and games in central London (London Thunder and my fire), the car has stood in our garage for a month and then our neighbours drive (we're having an extension built so garage is out of use) for 3 months. It's now time to try to get it started again.

So, I've cleaned the carbs and plugs and recharged the battery etc. What else should I do before actually trying to fire it up? I was thinking the following:
1 - disconnect coil and turn off fuel pumps and just try to turn the engine over to get a bit of oil moving
2 - reconnect and try to start it!

I've got various fluids to change and brakes to check but this is likely to be done locally by a garage rather than by me lying in the road

Edited by cirks on Thursday 22 March 14:37

[rev-erend]

Check the fuel lines for fire damage and cracks.. tightness of unions..

Perhaps invest in a 'fire eater system'...

[cirks]

rev-erend said:

Check the fuel lines for fire damage and cracks.. tightness of unions..

fortunately, apart from the melted air filters and a bit of damage to the heat reflector on the bonnet and a bit of melted wire to the fuel pressure guage, there doesn't seem to be any fire damage. Lucky in that respect.

[blueone]

what type of extinguisher did you use if it was powder.
1. Take a pressure washer and put it on full and wash everything the corrosion dosn't start straight away but it will. All alloy will get a white powder finish and the steel will just rust.
2. remove manifold you will be supprised it will be inside.

otherwise just wash and wash and wash again the caustic powder get every where

good luck

[rev-erend]

Cirks - I look forward to seeing it back on the road..

[JR]

1a reconnect coil and see that the plugs are sparking. Have you got one of transluscent Le Mans spark plug covers?

[cirks]

blueone said:

what type of extinguisher did you use if it was powder.
1. Take a pressure washer and put it on full and wash everything the corrosion dosn't start straight away but it will. All alloy will get a white powder finish and the steel will just rust.
2. remove manifold you will be supprised it will be inside.
otherwise just wash and wash and wash again the caustic powder get every where
good luck

Apologies for the delay in replying. Yup - it was powder and I washed everything off a day or two after the incident. I've had the carbs off and cleaned them all up with carb cleaner and petrol. So, hopefully I avoided the corosion.

I probably should have had the manifold off though

[cirks]

JR said:

1a reconnect coil and see that the plugs are sparking. Have you got one of transluscent Le Mans spark plug covers?

Nope - but I will ensure the plugs are still sparking.

[cirks]

rev-erend said:

Cirks - I look forward to seeing it back on the road..

Cheers Rev. I hope to get along to the Herts meet once it's back up and running.

[cirks]

well, after connecting the 'Road-Start' and a bit of turning over without fuel and without coil connected (just to get some oil moving and parts rotating)- the old beast fired up quite easily. Despite no air filters and still far from perfect carb cleanliness and setup, the idle is good and steady. Managed to drive it from our neighbours drive back along the road and it seems pretty good. Only 'minor' downside is that there is absolutely zero brake pressure. Pads and discs are fine. I'm guessing seals on master cylinder or some leak that I haven't spotted

At least I can get it to the mechanincs for full check-over and fluids etc on Monday now. I was really quite chuffed about how easily it started after 4 months of being laid up.