Resurrecting The Pug After A 5-year Slumber

[nzpug 0]

hi all,

 

after 5 years of laying dormant in the garage, it is time to wake up my 1.9, so I would be grateful for advice on the kinds of things I should do before I spark it up.

 

it was stored in a garage, oil was squirted into the bores periodically, but otherwise left alone (fuel tank not drained, but only a little bit left in it).

some people suggest just putting fuel in and starting it up, but Im not so sure that is the best idea...

 

is there any way to prep the engine to make it start up easily or ease it back into life? that is, without any advanced F1-style method of getting warm oil flowing through the engine before I start it up.

I was thinking of:

1. trying to turn it over a bit on the starter engine by removing the distributer cap and fuse for the fuel pump. this should get parts moving a bit before fuel and ignition are introduced.

will the oil pump start working if only the starter motor is doing the work? is there a way to get the oil pump going but not the whole engine?

2. giving it new spark plugs then plugging the d´cap back in and restoring the fuse, filling it with fuel then try my luck.

does this sound like a good idea?

 

any further hints and tips would be most appreciated!

 

cheers,

Matt

 

p.s. although not strictly related to the ´engine and gearbox´ section, does anyone have any other tips on what I should do with the brakes etc? the handbrake has been off all this time and gearbox in neutral. thanks

[tomcolinjones 26]

i would pump what fuel that is still in the tank out if possible, change the g/box oil, and engine oil / filter, new plugs and start it up. keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge, if you have not after a short while, turn her off!

 

i dont think a few turns over on the starter would get the oil pressure up enougth to get it around the crank... anyone?

[boombang 2]

I would always turn over by hand first, make sure it moves freely before using the starter on it.

 

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner would be a priority for me. Rubber doesn't like sitting in one position for years then being flexed.

 

Then once happy I'd turn it over on start with the plugs out (less resistance, will help it spin up nice and quickly).

 

Brakes might clean up fine after a bit of use, tyres are more likely to be out of round and might need replacing.

 

Then I'd go for all new fluids - brake, oil, coolant, perhaps gearbox after a good run (some surface rust from inside box might need flushing out).

[JRL 14 1 Cars]

Once I was told before you start it just turn the ignition to allow the oil pressure to build and fuel pump to prime. As for the little bit of old fuel I would fill it right up it would dilute any bad fuel and just replace the fuel filter when you service asap.

[tomcolinjones 26]

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner would be a priority for me. Rubber doesn't like sitting in one position for years then being flexed.

 

Then once happy I'd turn it over on start with the plugs out (less resistance, will help it spin up nice and quickly).

 

makes good sense!

[boombang 2]

Oil pressure doesn't build unless engine turning (oil pump chain driven off crank).

[CaptainK 11]

As above, replace all the belts on the engine as the rubber would have perished. Same with the tyres really. Do a full fluid change - oil, coolant, brake fluid etc. Also as above, take the sparkies out and let the starter motor build up oil flow with the minimal resistance from the sparkies being out. May as well disconnect the fuel supply to stop it pouring fuel into the cylinders, but you could leave the sparkies connected up and VERY CAREFULLY see if they are producing a spark whilst you are turning it over on the starter.

 

If possible, get rid of the old fuel from the tank, it'd have gone bad years ago. You may need to change the fuel filter too. You may also find the clutch has welded itself together. We had that problem with my gran's old Opel Kadett after it had sat around. As such releasing the clutch to put it in gear was a pain to do. Talking of which.... gearbox oil might be a bit horrid too and maybe worth a change.

 

Good luck with the resurrection though - always good to see a classic old car being brought back to life.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

From some search results I did a while ago for long term car storage;

The work required to start a car that's not been used for a long time will depend to some extent on how well the car was prepared before being put into 'storage'.

 

* Check tyre pressures

* Check that nothing's nesting under the bonnet or has chewed through the pipes/hoses

* If any auxiliary drive belts were loosened when the car was put into storage then these must of course be re-tightened before the car is run

* Check all fluid levels before starting – oil should be changed once the car's running

* Stale fuel could be a problem – hopefully there's not too much in the tank so that fresh fuel can be added and can get through to the engine

* Taking the plugs out first and turning the engine over is a good idea as this will reduce the load on the engine whilst the oil is redistributed

 

It's also important to check brake operation including the handbrake – if the car's been left with the handbrake applied then there's every chance that the brakes will have seized on. It may be possible to free them by engaging a gear and driving gently otherwise dismantling may be necessary.

 

It's good practice to arrange a full service once the car is running again.

 

Graham.

[nzpug 0]

hi guys,

 

thanks for the responses - there is a good list of things to do there (and a few I didn´t think of!).

 

it is just over 10 days before I´m home so I will ensure I get some stuff sorted so the wake-up can go smoothly.

 

cheers,

Matt

[DRTDVL 4 1 Cars]

Where in NZ are you?

 

If you need a hand let me know.

[dcc 855]

I would always change any perishable item on the car, every 4 years i think cambelts need to be changed i cant quite remember correctly though.

[nzpug 0]

Where in NZ are you?

 

If you need a hand let me know.

 

 

hey

 

thanks for the offer - I'm gonna be living in Auckland but the car is at my mum's place in Hamilton...

[Daxed 7]

I would also be very happy to lend a hand with this. Can assist in both fluid and belt replacement etc.

 

Very happy to help out for free if you will pay for my petrol.

 

I will check out British Airways prices right now and send you my papal details. I will need to come Club Class though as the seats in economy suck.

 

Really looking forwards to meeting you and getting the car sorted.

 

Is it ok if I stay for Xmas?

 

Anyway, see you soon

 

Daxed

 

PS. Do you have a sister?

Edited December 12, 2010 by Daxed