Not Been Started For 5+years,advice Please

[kernowmafia 0]

Hi,i've had my 'j' plate 205 in dry storage for over 5 years,it was left with the hand brake off and the battery disconnected,i've decided to put it back on the road this summer,i'd like advice on starting it for the first time....

i'm going to take a new battery and fresh petrol,is there anything else i might need to do before i fire it up?i'm expecting to have to free the calipers up after i get it running but thats as much as i know

any advice is gratefully received

cheers simon

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

I would drain the engine oil and replace it with fresh, do the oil filter at the same time. I would also think seriously about changing the cambelt. After 5 years it will very likely be past its best.

 

Then remove the spark plugs, put a small amount of oil down each cylinder, and wind it round by hand half a dozen times using a socket on the crank pulley bolt.

 

With this done, connect up your new battery, leave the spark plugs out. Spin it over on the starter until it gets oil pressure up.

 

I would then try to siphon off as much of the old petrol as you can, it will be well stale by now. Change the fuel filter. Then with new petrol, put the plugs in and give it a whirl.

[kernowmafia 0]

thanks for that,i've got a week off soon,so i can get some parts ready to get it running again

i'll post some pic's up when i get it out of the garage,i've not even seen it for 4 years

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

I reckon a few hours of getting a move on and you'd have all of the above done. You can then be reasonably confident that it hopefully will not do itself a mischief. I'd also think about a new dizzy cap, rotor arm, HT leads, and spark plugs. The cap and arm may have corroded contacts, and the HT leads will probably also be past their best.

New antifreeze will also be a good idea.

Spending out a bit of cash now, but then hopefully it will be reliable for you to enjoy over the summer.

[kernowmafia 0]

thanks,i've just found my old haynes manual too and yesterday i won a half leather interior off ebay,so i can take the buckets and harnesses out to make it a bit more civilised for me

[dee205 3]

Check the drive boots. Over time sitting they tend to crack and split. Mot fail but costly if you wreck a shaft due to it. SAying this because I'm in the same process as you and I spotted one in mine. Worth checking all rubber fuel and brake lines for the same. I also found a crack in the inlet coming from the fuel filter. Not something you want splitting and spraying everywhere over a nice and warm manifold...

[kernowmafia 0]

thanks,i'm not sure what to expect yet if,i can make it run will be half the battle.i.m going to book a week off when i get to work in a bit,i'll start a thread then to let everyone know my progress.i'm quite excited about getting it back on the road now