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Sitting for over a year...
https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=88775		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  redfive [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:34 am ]
Post subject:  Sitting for over a year...
I parked my Mini in my parents boat shed last Christmas (i.e. 2013) and it hasn't moved since. I disconnected the battery and left it under a cover, but that's about it. Next week I'm going to go and retrieve it, what should I be doing to ensure it starts and doesn't cause any problems? It had a new battery just before I put it away, but I assume it will be flat from sitting for so long even though it's disconnected.

Thanks!
Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
1. Charge the battery first.
2. Drain the old fuel from the tank, bung some fresh in it.
3. Pull the plugs out.
4. Crank motor for 20 secs, if the oil light doesn't go out undo &remove the oil pipe banjo bolt and prime the pump (pour oil into the hole in block until full, put car in 4th gear, push backwards for a couple of turns. Refit oil pipe).
Crank again to check you have oil pressure.
5. Refit plugs and attempt to start.
Author:  9YaTaH [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
drmini in aust wrote:
1. Charge the battery first.
2. Drain the old fuel from the tank, bung some fresh in it.
3. Pull the plugs out.
4. Crank motor for 20 secs, if the oil light doesn't go out undo &remove the oil pipe banjo bolt and prime the pump (pour oil into the hole in block until full, put car in 4th gear, push backwards for a couple of turns. Refit oil pipe).
Crank again to check you have oil pressure.
5. Refit plugs and attempt to start.


or
Assuming the car was a runner last time it was put away...

1. Check battery is charged first.
2. Take a punt that one year old fuel will be fine, and see how ya go.
3. Pull the plugs out and if they look a bit tired think about changing to some new ones.
4. Squirt a small amount of oil (light oil) around the cylinder walls. Crank motor for 20 secs, if the oil light doesn't go out undo & remove the oil pipe banjo bolt and prime the pump (pour oil into the hole in block until full, put car in 4th gear, push backwards for a couple of turns. Refit oil pipe).
Crank again to check you have oil pressure.
5. Refit plugs and attempt to start
6. Voila! :-)
Author:  goodie [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
All of what they said , probably pay to take some type of air pump as well , a fair chance it'll have a flat tyre or two after 12 months , makes them hard to push :wink: .
Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
1 year old fuel is rubbish.
Not worth taking a punt. If you can't be arsed draining it, at least fill it up with fresh stuff. Preferably 98.
Author:  Hobson [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
drmini in aust wrote:
1 year old fuel is rubbish.
Not worth taking a punt. If you can't be arsed draining it, at least fill it up with fresh stuff. Preferably 98.



What if he used a storage additive or are they just rubbish?
Author:  gtogreen1969 [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
Hobson wrote:
drmini in aust wrote:
1 year old fuel is rubbish.
Not worth taking a punt. If you can't be arsed draining it, at least fill it up with fresh stuff. Preferably 98.



What if he used a storage additive or are they just rubbish?
I used additive in my car before storage and it still ran after 5 years but down on power. Forgot to mention - I filled the tanks with Avgas 130 fuel. :grin: The most important thing is to get oil pressure up first.
Author:  MiniBob [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
I have the same concern. My car off the road for some months now and there is (was) about five litres in the tank. Holds about thirty.
Tip from the Ford prototype guys; put about a cup full of ordinary metho in the tank before topping up / starting.
It attracts any moisture and then burns thru. Might create a different smell from the exhaust for a few mins/miles.
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
We left old fuel sitting in our Valiant for about 5 years and it started up fine. Newer cars hate old fuel, older cars don't care so much. I have left the mini sitting for 8 months or so on old fuel and it was fine. I think premium fuel dies quicker.
Author:  Minimadmarty [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
For the short amount of time, easy effort and little cost is it worth the risk of running old fuel?

I'd be putting fresh oil and fuel in for sure :D
Author:  simon k [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
9YaTaH wrote:
3. Pull the plugs out and if they look a bit tired think about changing to some new ones.
4. Squirt a small amount of oil (light oil) around the cylinder walls.


do this first.

the oil film on the bores will be gone, any crud in the rings will be hard & could scratch the bores unless lubed up
Author:  Hobson [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
There was this story I read a while ago, although I am not sure that the " didn't hurt the car" comment about the fuel would be correct.


http://corvettemikenewengland.com/barn-find/
Author:  mini_mad_matt [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
I would also pour some fresh fuel into the carby float bowl
Author:  redfive [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
Can I just jump start it instead of charging the battery?

The engine was rebuilt just before it was put away, and has had limited milage since. I think it's running quite rich as I never had a chance to get it tuned. Can't remember how much fuel is in it, hopefully not much.

Thanks for the tips!
Author:  gtogreen1969 [ Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sitting for over a year...
If the battery is less than 9 volts it would be better to charge it a little before jumpstarting. The bigger the voltage differential the more chance of issues with battery, alternator or regulator.
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