General Starting an X1/9 after four years!

[nigelss]

I have an X1/9 1500VS which I bought new back in 1988. It has always been kept garaged and was regularly serviced until I stopped using it around four years ago. I had been in the habit of running it every week or so, but then one day I couldn't start it because the battery was flat and could not be recharged. I kept meaning to get a new battery but the weeks, then months, then years slipped by. It had just been serviced too.

I'm now toying with the idea of trying to fire it up again. Someone suggested to me putting new oil in the engine and leaving it for a couple of days and then trying to start it. I'll need a new battery too. Is this likely to be a recipe for disaster??!! Anything I can instantly check? I'm not a mechanic and can just about remember where the ignition key goes.

At the moment I just want to see if it will start because even if it fires up I cannot move it. I left the handbrake on and have no idea how to free it up. I would guess that the other fluids would need to be replaced as well after all this time before it could be moved.

Thanks,
Nigel

 

[Tiffx19]

I've bought a few X1/9's which have been laid up for a few years, the latest hadn't been moved in 6. Some folks may argue with me here, but worked for me every time. Check the oil, check the water, put a fully chrged battery in it, then disconnect the coil. Wind it over on the starter until the oil light goes out. reconnect coil, put a small amount of fresh petrol down the carb and it should go. Petrol can go off, so if there is a lot in it, it may be worth draining the tank, if there is less than a quarter tank, put a couple of gallons of V power or similar in, and use that. Brakes may free off with movement. Problem I've found is that the hydraulics don't like sitting- clutch and brake cylinders may leak, or the clutch release arm in the gearbox may be sticky. Press the clutch and brakes gently, and if you feel pressure, work them quite a few times. Brakes may just need the slides cleaned up and coppaslipped. I had to hammer off one of the rear calipers it was so stuck, which had to be replaced, but the other side was as good as new ?!

 

[maddogmorg]

Take spark plugs out as well before cranking the engine, also a bit of light oil in the bores probably wouldn't go amiss. I'd be inclined to turn it by hand if possible just to ensure that the engine turns over smoothly and cambelt isn't about to snap, which should probably be visually checked for condition first.


The engine will probably be fine if you just put a battery on and try it really, but you never know.

 

[nigelss]

Many thanks for the answers. I should be able to find out how to disconnect and reconnect the coil but I suspect putting a small amount of petrol down the carb will be beyond me. It doesn't have much fuel in it so a couple of gallons of V-Power on top should be ok I guess.

I am not aware of any fluid leaks. The car has been in neutral all this time. I don't know how relevant this is but all gears are selectable with the clutch down just as they always have been. I'm afraid the reference to the brakes perhaps needing the slides cleaned up and copperslipped is a gazillion miles over my head (!).

My brother suggested that if it starts the brakes might release by themselves if I try to move it very gently but could this cause damage to something? I note that Tiffx19 said the brakes might free off with movement. Is this what was meant?

I think I can take the spark plugs out but the bit about light oil in the bores is again waaaaay over my head. Please can you advise what is the best way to try turning it by hand.

Putting this all together and just for the bits I understand (!) it sounds like the things to do are:
1. Check oil, water, put in a battery and disconnect the coil.
2. Take the spark plugs out.
3. Try turning it over by hand to ensure the engine turns over smoothly.
4. Put the spark plugs back - nice and clean of course!
5. Work the clutch and brake pedals and check they feel ok.
6. Wind the engine over on the starter motor until the oil pressure light goes out.
7. Reconnect the coil and put some V-power fuel in the tank.
8. Start the car! It will of course fire up first time
9. Release (seized) handbrake and very gently try to move the car to see if the brakes come off.

The main aim at the moment is to get the engine running again and keep it running. Then comes the small matter of finding out what else needs to be done to get it driveable, safe and legal.

Thanks again for the answers to-date, very much appreciated.

Nigel

 

[Tiffx19]

I'd go with that!

 

[RickEfco]

Aww, I was looking forward to following this story and seeing how Nigel had got on.

Don’t you just hate it when an OP vanishes after getting everyone all excited!??

 

[Bonefish Blues]

We'd just got over the hurt and disappointment after 14 years, but you've gone and brought it all back

 

[RickEfco]

lol

 

[Barchetta Bloke 440]

I'm sending mine to a garage to get it started because there is also ££££££ SO MUCH else wrong with it , they can fix it all and once again it will be magnificent .

[not standard engine]

[not standard bodywork]