General Car resurrection

[Ralf S.]

I have inherited a Mk I Punto 55 of 1994/5 vintage.

It belonged to my late uncle.. and he didn't use it much prior to his illness and death.. so it's been sitting in a garage for about 3-4 years.

The battery is obviously knackered.. although the engine turns over fine with a new battery... but the car won't start.

I expected that the fuel is no good.. so I brought some of that Easy-Start stuff that you spray into the throttle body (easy to do with the clam-shell airbox) .. but the car still didn't want to know.. cranked fine but no life.

I couldn't smell petrol .. but the Easy-Start ought to have compensated... at least to make it try and "catch" so I'm puzzled.

I don't think the car has an immobiliser and there are no lights on the dash, apart from the usual ones..

Next time I go to the car, I'll bring more tools so I can check the fuel pump and sparks are working (also maybe drain the tank and put some fresh fuel) but apart from that... does anyone have any other ideas? I presume car was working fine, since my uncle parked it in its usual spot, last time he drove it.


Ralf S.

 

[bugsymike]

I have inherited a Mk I Punto 55 of 1994/5 vintage.

It belonged to my late uncle.. and he didn't use it much prior to his illness and death.. so it's been sitting in a garage for about 3-4 years.

The battery is obviously knackered.. although the engine turns over fine with a new battery... but the car won't start.

I expected that the fuel is no good.. so I brought some of that Easy-Start stuff that you spray into the throttle body (easy to do with the clam-shell airbox) .. but the car still didn't want to know.. cranked fine but no life.

I couldn't smell petrol .. but the Easy-Start ought to have compensated... at least to make it try and "catch" so I'm puzzled.

I don't think the car has an immobiliser and there are no lights on the dash, apart from the usual ones..

Next time I go to the car, I'll bring more tools so I can check the fuel pump and sparks are working (also maybe drain the tank and put some fresh fuel) but apart from that... does anyone have any other ideas? I presume car was working fine, since my uncle parked it in its usual spot, last time he drove it.


Ralf S.

As you say, if spark and compression, it should have at least spluttered.
Many years ago we got a 1947 Vauxhall 14 going that had been standing in a lock up for over 30 years (customer had not paid for engine rebuild in 1950s, it started on original old petrol (not modern unleaded rubbish) and after a good charge it started again from the original old battery.
As I recall we got it through an Mot after fitting AeroQuip racing brake hoses as nothing original available so these were made up.
Boss sold it to a bloke in Ireland and he drove it back on our trade plates which were returned by post! Long time ago and boss is dead.

 

[Steve gt]

I would try a crank sensor on it there not expensive

 

[bugsymike]

I would try a crank sensor on it there not expensive

Good point.
Would it be worth OP checking to see if rev counter trying to move when starter turning as that is usually a indicator of duff Crank sensor if it doesn't try and react.