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Info on moving a Syncro after 5 yrs in storage

Posted: 29 Jul 2011, 02:50
by bjorntobi
Hi All,

So it has been a while since I have been on the forum, way back to 2005/6 by the looks of things. :!:

We moved to the states in early 2006 and our 14" Syncro went into storage as we didn't want to sell her.

Next weekend I need to move her and free up the space. I will be moving the van about a 30min drive to my new garage by trailer.

She hasn't been started or driven in that time so I am sure there will be much work to be done.

What experience have people had on this subject?
Thoughts on the things I should check?

I was thinking:

A fresh battery
Fresh fuel
Check all fluids levels
Check brake lines
Free off any wheels that might need it
Check the plugs and points

Anything I am missing? Cheers Matt

Re: Info on moving a Syncro after 5 yrs in storage

Posted: 29 Jul 2011, 07:22
by Aidan
ok so we guess it's a petrol
we don't have points
check air intake system for varmits nests etc and fit a new air filter
leave plugs alone imho for now if all you want to do is start it to move it onto trailer
new battery is good, old one may not be dead though and may still hold charge if given a charge with a decent charger
empty the old fuel and put new in, if it's a 1.9 then change the fuel filter too
check the accelerator cable is free to move, they can seize
hopefully it was parked with the brakes off, if not they will be locked on on rear in all likelihood and may require persuasion to come off, check cables are free
tyres will be flat spotted, check pressures but they will be weird to drive initially, they will be older than 6 years now so you'll be after new ones anyway when you go back on the road
change the engine oil unless you put fresh in before it was laid up - it'll be an imperfect oil change because you will be doing it cold, but you'll do it again hot when you have run the engine up to temp after mot
check brake fluid level and brake lines and renew fluid and bleed through once you have moved vehicle to new home
visual check of gearbox for leaks and level check if leaking, again you'll be changing the oil once you have moved it
if power steering then check for leaks and check level

once you've moved it then do a recommision with all new fluids, full brake check, esp rears as slaves cylinders may well be weepy and front calipers may seize, check wheel bearings front and rear, inspect for leaky dampers, soak plugs externally with plusgas for a bit before trying to change them as they may have corroded in the threads and you don't want to break one (btgtts), get some new tyres. clean the glass, check the seatbelts all work and go get an mot and come and play

enjoy

Re: Info on moving a Syncro after 5 yrs in storage

Posted: 31 Jul 2011, 10:28
by HarryMann
I'll be Wiki'ing that later... seems very comprehensive - hope Bjorns reading it.

Is that another Syncro for the list we're building?

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... &start=135


OK found some old posts in the Archive... http://archive.club8090.co.uk/search.ph ... mit=Search

so have added it.

Re: Info on moving a Syncro after 5 yrs in storage

Posted: 02 Aug 2011, 18:15
by bjorntobi
That would be me! I posted a fair amount during 2004/5 and then when we emigrated other stuff took up my time.

Most recently two boys under 4!

The broken window came about due to an unusually hard frost and the grub screw that had been placed in the frame to stop the window opening too far didn't move with the window and hey presto shattered glass.

So I have a trailer and Landrover sorted for the weekend and armed with the good advice given here will be spending Saturday in frutiful fettling.

The bus is over in Northern Ireland now but we lived in Surrey previously.

I'll try and dig up a photo or two.

Matt

Re: Info on moving a Syncro after 5 yrs in storage

Posted: 02 Aug 2011, 19:05
by bjorntobi
Image

This was shortly after We bought her in 2003 complete with original Michelins. Original UK RHD Caravelle syncro.

We toured around Ireland in 2004, just not sure where the photos are!

Matt