Not started her up in a while

Evening all,

Due to lockdown and a new baby the van hasn’t been fired up in just over a year and has been stored away in the garage. Nervously looking to fire her up tomorrow, battery is on charge as I type but wondered if anyone has any processes, tips or checks prior to trying it please.

much appreciated,

Chris and Marmite

 

Check the oil level...don't have it in gear when you start it.
You could also make sure it doesn't fire up before getting some oil pushed around the engine

 

My beetle sat untouched for ten years but started without a problem with a second hand battery from work. I wouldn’t worry about one year. As above check oil level.

 

As above, really. Worth disconnecting the ignition (green lead from breakers, if you’ve got them) and cranking it until the oil light goes out. Then...off to Tescos to pump the tyres up . A good blast down the road will blow the cobwebs out.

 

I have a hidden switch behind the drivers seat which isolates the ignition as a security thing however it also means I can crank the engine to get some oil around after a long layoff

 

Green wire off the coil and spin it on the starter to pump the oil round(check oil first!) and then a trip to a garage for tyre pressures and put some fresh petrol in

 

Im sure it will be fine. Mine was. Only real problem you may have, is the brakes stuck on.

 

Thanks all, will update you with the results

 

If you must spin it first, be kind to it take out the spark plugs, otherwise you'll be spinning slowly against compression until the oil gets round.

That's the theory.

Advice is just start it, everything will still be coated in oil. I'm another who has started 10 year plus engines without fussing. I've also dismantled engines that have sat drained and yes, oil coats all unless rain has got into the engine.

 

If its anything like mine, after a three month rest, it will require cranking for quite a long time while the fuel gets pumped up to the carb.
Let the starter motor rest and cool down between attempts at starting.
Tony

 

Don't tell us that! We can all nick your bus now...

 

That’s what I’ve found with Marmite! So think I’ll follow my dads advice of “Slowly slowly catchy monkey”

 

He's lying. It's actually under the dashboard!

 

If like everyone else... He's forgot it .

 

Look round the tyres for signs of sidewall cracking.

Just in case.

 

Might be worth a quick look at fuel hoses, check for cracks especially on any bends !

 

Three good throttle pumps while your cranking, should start providing the owner has sorted everything that should be sorted.
Even with a flatter than normal battery.

 

Or use the traditional method of chucking an eggcup full of petrol straight down the carb. Gives the engine something to digest while the fuel pump catches up.

 

Got more switches than an apollo space capsule and we don,t mention the 20,000 volts

 

I always end up having to do this after a long layup.