Technical First engine start for a long time - any precautions?

[Jonfiat]

Folks,

I have a Seicento MPi that has been standing I'm guessing unstarted since possibly February of this year, maybe even earlier.

I've recently bought it and am lead to believe that the cam belt has been changed along with water pump, etc, etc. I have new boxes with old components in them in the boot of the car. However I don't know it's history at all, (its all guess work). However expansion tank is free of rainbows and smells of antifreeze, the sump seems to be filled with the right level of oil and its fresh!

Everything seems in order and looks promising.

Just thinking outside the box here, would you think it a good idea to remove the spark plugs and squirt a little engine oil down each bore, and then to wind the engine over by hand before attempting to start it??

What are your thoughts??

Cheers

Jon

 

[andys cinq]

When i got the free cinq it had sat for 3 years...put booster pack on it started it and drove it 16miles back home and then all i did was a service and thats all its had

 

[Benjammo]

Mines not been started in a year, did it the other week. And started first time.
I don't think you'll have problems starting if, once it was up to temp I'd put an engine flush in and change the oil, but the only thing I think you'll have problems with is the brakes sticking on.
Mine sounded like a scooby until it sorted itself out, don't be alarmed it it sounds rough, leave it to worm up and she should quiet down.

 

[ycming]

Yup, just drive it and have a feel for it .

Ming

 

[goodgirl156]

If it was me I would disable the fuel pump or injector and crank it over for 10-15 seconds to get some oil up top and moving.
Depending on how long its sat the petrol could also be bad so don't be surprised if it runs like crap when/if it does fire.
Lastly look out for stuck on brakes

 

[fingers99]

Ideally, pull the connector for the TDC sensor (so no spark, no fuel), pull the plugs out, and spin it on the starter until the oil pressure gets a chance to build up. Then pop it all together and start it and run it at a fast idle -- say 1500 - 2000 rpm for 5 minutes or so (outside!).

But should be fine. Brakes may be an issue, so take it gently to ASDA and do a bit of gentle left foot braking round the car park to clean them up a bit.

 

[AppleSei]

But should be fine. Brakes may be an issue, so take it gently to ASDA and do a bit of gentle left foot braking round the car park to clean them up a bit.

Other supermarkets are also available

 

[blu73]

my sei turbo started fine y'day having sat for at least as long. Have faith, it'll be reet.

 

[Jonfiat]

my sei turbo started fine y'day having sat for at least as long. Have faith, it'll be reet.

Cheers guys,

I'll let you know how I get on.

Have a Happy New Year.

Jon

 

[Jonfiat]

Cheers guys,

I'll let you know how I get on.

Have a Happy New Year.

Jon

LATEST!!

Righty ho... Yesterday, I removed the spark plugs, number 4, (nearest the gearbox was really tight!! At first I was worried, however there was nothing that I could do about it, other than undoing it, so I persevered and eventually out it came, it appeared that the thread was corroded, even the spark plug washer had corrosion on it! Three and two were normal and number one was really oily, (quite gunged up actually)!

Cleaned all the plugs and then vaccumed debris from around the plug threads and then squirted an amount of engine oil into each cylinder.

Moment of truth, turned the key and she spun over spun her over for about three short birsts.

Re-inserted all plugs, sparayed HT leads with WD40, replaced injector connections, air filter.

Turned the ignition fully this time and she spluttered and stopped - good sign!

she caught on the third attempt!! Pumping out masses of white smoke - I mean masses, however this would have been the oild I squirted down the bores burning off.

Eventually the smoking calmed down, however she was still throwing a little white out the back.

Took her for a local drive, literally 1000m, that was all, still some white from the tailpipe.

Went home.

This afternoon, I turned the key, she caught first time, tiny amount of white smoke out the back and let her sit there idling with the expansion cap off for a while, until the thermostat opened.

Replaced the cap and my mate took her for a run - a short lap of the block, this time, when he approached my coming up the road, I was aware of a large cloud of smoke coming out of the back.

I was, well appeared to be oil this time.

After gently revving her for a while, seeing the cooling fan cut in and out, he took her for a run again, (this time however without the air filter as he was unsure of the condition of the air filter, (looked clean on the inside - but we couldn't see the exterior) - this time however there was NO somke!!

Could this have been the situation: the valve stem oils seals instead of being soft, had become hard, hence leaking oil. after running her for a while, the hot circulating oil had softened the seals, making them work??

We also noticed that the engine management light was lit??

After a while, after the second run, the high temp light came on, so we parked her up and switched off, (where exactly is the temperature sensor located)?? If I short that I can prove the relay and fan can't I??

Folks, very interested to hear your thoughts

Just to recap:

Me: Changed door locks, ignition barrel, loop antenna & imobilizer ECU, (code 2 system). Also changed main ECU.

Others: Believed to have changed:
Cam belt
Water pump
Thermostat
Rocker cover gasket
Engine oil
Oil filter
Air filter
Other non- engine related parts.

Look forward to your responses.

Cheers

Jon

 

[andys cinq]

well if those service parts are only believed to of been changed i would service it myself and do it all so you know its been done!!!
also with putting oil down the bores is some may well of gone into the exhaust and when it finally got hot enough it suddenly burnt it off had this with an old mk1 escort and its was just pure luck it cleared when you took the air filter off

 

[Jonfiat]

well if those service parts are only believed to of been changed i would service it myself and do it all so you know its been done!!!
also with putting oil down the bores is some may well of gone into the exhaust and when it finally got hot enough it suddenly burnt it off had this with an old mk1 escort and its was just pure luck it cleared when you took the air filter off

Any thoughts on the engine management light??

Cheers

Jon