Starting / MOT a car which has sat for five years.
Discussion
Long story short... life being complicated and all that - I've got an MGF, which has sat for five years with never being turned over during that time. I know it's not much but it's mine and means a lot to me and I would like to get it back on the road and enjoy it.
The space which was loaned to me to keep it in, is now no longer mine and I need to move the car pronto.
It's been sorned during the time, handbrake off and was in good form before I stopped using it... It's physically in good condition with no obvious leaks underneath. The tyres have maintained pressure - slightly low but amazingly not flat. The hydragas suspension height looks to be a touch low but probably what it was previously.
I have a brand new battery in a box, ready to fit.
I am aware I will have to remove the petrol and have bought a siphon to do so, before I start it but what else should I be considering to do?
I was wondering if a petrol additive is worth adding the first tank of fresh petrol, alongside a premium jerry can of fuel from shell or the like?
I was thinking oil change too but I've never done this before and worry I might wreck the sump plug in the process and stop me from driving it to the garage for the MOT.
I have seen oil removal pumps with the tube you insert into the dipstick but do not know how effective these are, particularly on a cold engine.
I'm on a budget to do this and can't afford to bring a mechanic out, so will have to attempt this myself. I've not attempted anything major on cars mechanically but I'm reasonably confident.
Genuine help would be greatly received... thanks!
The space which was loaned to me to keep it in, is now no longer mine and I need to move the car pronto.
It's been sorned during the time, handbrake off and was in good form before I stopped using it... It's physically in good condition with no obvious leaks underneath. The tyres have maintained pressure - slightly low but amazingly not flat. The hydragas suspension height looks to be a touch low but probably what it was previously.
I have a brand new battery in a box, ready to fit.
I am aware I will have to remove the petrol and have bought a siphon to do so, before I start it but what else should I be considering to do?
I was wondering if a petrol additive is worth adding the first tank of fresh petrol, alongside a premium jerry can of fuel from shell or the like?
I was thinking oil change too but I've never done this before and worry I might wreck the sump plug in the process and stop me from driving it to the garage for the MOT.
I have seen oil removal pumps with the tube you insert into the dipstick but do not know how effective these are, particularly on a cold engine.
I'm on a budget to do this and can't afford to bring a mechanic out, so will have to attempt this myself. I've not attempted anything major on cars mechanically but I'm reasonably confident.
Genuine help would be greatly received... thanks!
To wrap this up!
Firstly, thanks to all for advice, help and laughs!!
Summary -
New Battery fitted...
Syphoned as much old fuel out as I could out...
10L of fresh fuel in the tank...
Topped up the oil...
Fuel pump fuse out, engine primed...
Connect up the 2.0 TDI Audi via jump leads to it, just in case it needs a bit of oomph...
AND...
It started first time!
No hesitancy, just as if I had parked it up the day before. It's now in for it's MOT. Fingers crossed!
Cheers chaps!!!
Firstly, thanks to all for advice, help and laughs!!
Summary -
New Battery fitted...
Syphoned as much old fuel out as I could out...
10L of fresh fuel in the tank...
Topped up the oil...
Fuel pump fuse out, engine primed...
Connect up the 2.0 TDI Audi via jump leads to it, just in case it needs a bit of oomph...
AND...
It started first time!
No hesitancy, just as if I had parked it up the day before. It's now in for it's MOT. Fingers crossed!
Cheers chaps!!!
...and to completely close off this saga - it's only just gone and passed it's MOT!!! 
I just need a new home for it now, preferably close to home (Glasgow / Paisley / Renfrew) so I can get to use it.
I've started another topic asking on here but please do PM me if you read this and know of somewhere local to me that's affordable, safe and secure. Thanks!
My only grump after all this is that today I found out tax starts at beginning of the month - not on the day of application!!! agghhh!
I just need a new home for it now, preferably close to home (Glasgow / Paisley / Renfrew) so I can get to use it.
I've started another topic asking on here but please do PM me if you read this and know of somewhere local to me that's affordable, safe and secure. Thanks!
My only grump after all this is that today I found out tax starts at beginning of the month - not on the day of application!!! agghhh!
Edited by GretaGray on Wednesday 28th July 17:19
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