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Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 17:37
by kevtherev
Hello simonmotorbike...welcome!
regarding the engine..
After a year I would imagine trying to start it without a decent service fresh oil, plugs, fully charged battery, would prove difficult.
turning the engine over by hand first would ease the stiff joints
bringing an old engine back to life is a very rewarding thing.
as for the mechanics the only real issues would be the hydraulic lifters clattering upon start up...a truly scary noise if you have never heard it.
Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 17:43
by jamesc76
if you get it spray some oil into the sparkplug holes and turn it a good few times by hand thats way it will clear some of the rust of the inside of the cylinders! all so try and drain off any old fuel as it goes off after a length of time
james
Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 17:47
by airhead
My bay had been sitting for 6 years without being started and it fired up remarkably easy. Just a bit smoky thats all. It would be worth using some oil flushing stuff to clear out any gunk from the sump before using it though. Replace the old oil with fresh cheap oil and that flushing agent. Run the engine for however long it says on the bottle of flushing agent, then change the oil again with decent oil.
Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 17:57
by lloyd
Also check that all valves are opening and closing properly. The 2 biggest problems are stuck pistons/rings and stuck valves. Spray something like WD40 into spark plug holes and let it set for a couple of days... Make sure holes are clean first so no dirt get into engine. Spark plugs you take out will be a good indicator of what kind of condition of cylinder/combustion chamber is in. Rust and corrosion on plugs means same in cylinder/combustion chamer. Then turn engine over by hand a few times with plugs out. That way if there is too much WD40 in cylinder it can be pushed out of spark plug hole instead of it doing a hydraulic lockup. Check the points and distributor cap and make sure they are in good nick. Watch fuel pump and carburetor for leaks and stuck float when you do start it up. Make sure you have a real good battery so you can crank it for awhile to build some oil pressure and get fuel into carb and get it started.
I've seen engines parked up for 20 years and more start up and run just fine.
Good Luck!
Lloyd
Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 18:58
by kevtherev
Hey ....it's what we do here!
Spray, Spray, Spray
Posted: 15 Dec 2007, 22:10
by meggles
When you have an old engine the best thing to do is spray, spray, spray with Plus Gas, or WD 40 or similar and then leave for a few days to do it's stuff. Better still if you can lower the air flow to allow lubricant to work. Wherever the damp got in the lubricant can, given time! Then the previous advice, especialy the WD 40 into cylinders and turn over by hand!(And then leave to stand for a day or so). May sound excessive but worth it compared to an engine strip down!!!
Good Luck!
Posted: 17 Dec 2007, 08:32
by geordie skydiver
I bought a 2.0L Aircooled that had been stood up in the corner of a garden for twelve years.
New battery, started 2nd time. Warmed it up, changed oil, filters, spark plugs and threw the engine in my Westy.
Had to take one rocker cover off and release a couple of sticky tappets, other than that, it was fine, and as far as I know it's still going strong.
