Starting engine after lay up

Technical advice Q&A

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Malc
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#1 Starting engine after lay up

Post by Malc » Thu May 16, 2019 10:41 pm

I’ve been slowly restoring my S1 2+2 and am now at the stage where I want to start the engine. It has not started for perhaps five years, although it has been in a very dry damp free garage. I was going to do the following: 1) take out the plugs and turn the engine over just to make sure that it turned over properly and there were no funny noises (stuck valves etc). 2). Turn the engine over with the plugs in but no ignition just to build up the oil pressure. 3) Connect the ignition and hope that it starts etc. However any advice on alternative procedures would be gratefully accepted.
Malc

Series 1 2+2, 1968 Blue exterior, grey interior

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JJC
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#2 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by JJC » Fri May 17, 2019 1:32 am

You nailed it Malc . Good luck !!

JC

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Simonpfhc
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#3 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by Simonpfhc » Fri May 17, 2019 6:10 am

:yeahthat:

But leave the plugs out to build up oil pressure - it takes ages to build pressure and your battery will be screaming at you :lol:
Simon
62 3.8 FHC
91 Porsche 928GT
Find me on Instagram and Facebook @oldcarfixer

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mgcjag
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#4 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by mgcjag » Fri May 17, 2019 7:33 am

Hi Malc....have you turned the engine over by hand with the plugs out just to make sure its not seized......make sure you remembered to fill with oil.....then as Simon says turn over on the starter without plugs...it will spin much easier.......good luck...Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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johnetype
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#5 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by johnetype » Fri May 17, 2019 8:22 am

With (1) I'd also add a couple of squirts of engine oil into each bore before turning over by hand. Also don't connect the fuel pump until (3) to ensure you haven't got the engine flooded with petrol.
John

1969 Series 2 FHC

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1954Etype
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#6 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by 1954Etype » Fri May 17, 2019 10:07 am

Make sure you have the carbs adjusted properly - you don't want it going to maximum revs as soon as it fires!
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047

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Nickleback
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#7 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by Nickleback » Wed Jun 05, 2019 5:17 am

Should the clutch pedal also be depressed as well to make it easier on the engine turning over to build the
oil pressure first ?
Mike,
1970 S2 FHC 2R28165

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johnetype
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#8 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by johnetype » Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:27 am

No because if the crank thrust bearings have lost lubrication you'll be pressing on them and rotating the crank at the same time whilst you're waiting for oil pressure to build up.

The fastest way to help oil pressure build up is remove the spark plugs.
John

1969 Series 2 FHC

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christopher storey
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#9 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by christopher storey » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:06 am

Or better still, get a garden sprayer and plug it into one of the blanking slots in the right hand oil gallery near the filter , and pump a couple of pints in at about 4 lbs/sq.in - this will circulate oil through the pump, the bearings and even up to the cams, and the engine will then be well primed for a start

PS if this results in overfilling, once you have the engine running, siphon an equivalent amount out of the oil filler area

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mldwyer
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#10 Re: Starting engine after lay up

Post by mldwyer » Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:32 pm

Now, that is a great idea. Thank you. :salute:

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