Best way to start a car thats been standing for 18months

[ziggy]

Car was parked up 18 months ago,all working ok.
Its not been touched since,not moved or engine turned over.

Any advice, as best way to start up without causing any engine damage?

I dont know yet wether it will turn over by hand.If it does,would an oil & filter change be advisable,before attempting to start.

Also the fuel, thats been sitting for the same length of time,is it likely to cause problems. I believe if left,it can form gungy deposits and block things up!

Yes, the brakes are seized and possibly the clutch.

All advice gratefully received - thanks

[crazybrightman]

pull the fuel pump fuse and disconnect the coil then churn it over in short 5 second bursts a few times. this will get oil around the engine especially up the top end. also check the belts afterwards as quite possible the alternator may have siezed on. once its running then ou can worry about the brakes etc. also keep an eye on the oil pressure if theres none there after 2 or 3 seconds best to turn the motor off.
tbh it should be fine

[MartG]

Terry

As above, plus it may be worth squirting a little oil down the plug holes first to lubricate the piston rings before you turn it over

[Jim-SR]

4A-GE's tend to be pretty good for starting after long periods of inactivity. i know of one that stood for 5 years and started first turn of the key after some fresh fuel was put in the tank!

turning it over in short bursts with the fuelling system disabled is definitely a good idea though, gets some oil where it needs to be before firing it up and loosens everything up a bit

[ziggy]

Thanks for the replies - sounds simple if you read it quick!

I may well return with more questions

[Tony jinxy froude]

Keep an eye on the fuel pump, they do have a tendency to seize if left unused, i would short out B+ & FP in the diagnostic port to get it running before i even thought about removing the fuse, at least this way you'll know if its working or not before going to all the hassle of spinning the engine etc & mucking about, Jinxy

[Goto10]

The alternator on my mk1 was seized solid after it had sat for a bit, other than that it was fine, deffo follow the advice of turning over for a bit before allowing it to fire.