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Starting an engine that's been sitting for a couple of years
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Tow the car slowly in gear to get compression up or other?
Yes, tow away!
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No this should never be done.
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Total Votes : 3

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MattF



Joined: 29 Mar 2013
Posts: 86
Location: Christchurch, NewZealand

PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:12 am    Post subject: Starting an engine that's been sitting for a couple of years Reply with quote

A couple of years ago my s1 Morris 8 was a two turn over easy start, since then it's been garaged. Have tried getting it going this week and it's not going to good - a couple of times I've managed to get it to run for a few seconds maybe half a min and then it dies Sad not really sure it has been running on all cylinders when it has run so I'm wondering if all the oil may have run down to the sump and now I can't get full compression?
When I first got it, it had been sitting ten years and after an oil change and new plugs I started it by just towing it until I got compression and it started. What's people's view on trying that?
Also I'm not sure how big the sparks from the spark plugs should be but they don't seem that big - can plugs deteriorate over time if they are just left sitting?
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MikeEdwards



Joined: 25 May 2011
Posts: 2464
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not sure about deteriorating plugs, but they can get damp - if you're not sure about that, you could stick them in the oven or on a radiator for a bit.

What's the fuel like? Modern fuels "go off" much more quickly than older ones.

It is possible the rings have stuck which might affect compression - can you stick a compression tester on it and see?

Really, the best way is a methodical run through everything, one item at a time, until it sorts itself out. Even something like corrosion on connectors can drop current sufficiently that things don't run as well as they should.
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47Jag



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 1480
Location: Bothwell, Scotland

PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Matt,

With regards to your other post, you backfiring could be due to sticky valves. As Mike says, do a compression test. Do it wet and dry. I.E. take a reading as-is and then pump some oil down each cylinder to seal the pistons and repeat test. If the wet readings improve then the pistons/rings are worn or stuck.

Art
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Clactonguy



Joined: 20 Mar 2018
Posts: 104
Location: clacton on sea

PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:08 pm    Post subject: running then stopping Reply with quote

sounds like fuel /air mix. if w have old fuel ?especially modern ethanol crap !
back firing can be sticking valves and or bad timing, coil.poor earthing .
ideally before starting an engine standing a long time .. a squirt of diesel and engine oil ( 50-50%) around rings. a couple of hours before can make huge. difference. to ease of cranking and reducing ring adhesion to cyl walls etc.
best to slow go through. each thing one at a time . fuel change in carb /line . add. an octane booster? check compression wet and dry. check. coil .batttery connections for corrosion.
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jp928



Joined: 07 Jun 2016
Posts: 249
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oil the bores, change the engine oil, refresh the petrol. new plugs, check the points, clean the inside of the dizzy cap, and the outside. Fuel systems do funny things when allowed to sit for a long time - deposits come out of solution and clog up pipes and jets etc. Check the carb float bowl for rubbish, and the float and needle & seat for operation. Check the fuel pump operates ok.
jp 26 Rover 9
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