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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: goon on April 05, 2010, 04:54:01 pm

Title: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: goon on April 05, 2010, 04:54:01 pm

supposedly the motor out of the parts truck i just got sat for two years and ran wonderful when it was parked( it was parked because the truck was completely rotted) now im ready to turn it over.. but before i do what should i do to make sure i dont ruin anything?
1.6 idi 1981 caddy
any suggestions?

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: CdnVWJunkie on April 05, 2010, 05:44:48 pm

Make sure it has clean oil topped to the proper level.  I'd likely pull the wire off the fuel cut off solenoid on the IP and turn the engine over 10-15 secs. to provide lube to the engine.  Then reconnect and fire up.  Also, make sure the TB isn't in bad shape ... been there and made that mistake  :P

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: rabbitman on April 05, 2010, 05:56:14 pm

Better yet pull the vac pump and use a 13mm(?) socket to turn the oil pump before spinning the engine at all.

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: goon on April 05, 2010, 06:06:15 pm

thanks for the advise guys

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: burn_your_money on April 05, 2010, 07:37:03 pm

Quote from: rabbitman on April 05, 2010, 05:56:14 pm

Better yet pull the vac pump and use a 13mm(?) socket to turn the oil pump before spinning the engine at all.

That is exactly what I would do. I'd probably spin it by hand once and have a good look at the timing belt, maybe even hit it with a hammer if it's dry where you are

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: 745 turbogreasel on April 05, 2010, 10:07:54 pm

I've started engines that sat for 10+ without doing anything more that disabling fuel or spark  while waiting for oil pressure to come up.  if i have any plan to run it, I normally change the oil first.
on an IDI, just disconnect the glow plugs if you are going to use the engine to prime, and it surely won't start before it has oil.

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: Smokey Eddy on April 06, 2010, 02:20:10 am

if moisture got into the cylinders while it sat turning it over will gouge huge scores in the cylinders.
this happened to me after the car sat for 2 years.

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: lovinthedeez on April 06, 2010, 07:18:41 am

I had no idea what I was doing when i bought my first diesel, which sat for three or more years.  didn't even know what the cold start was or where ;D.  pulled the battery out of my gti, and on the second crank, that rabbit started right up on less than a gallon of diesel sitting for that long.  it smoked like a crackhead just won the lottery.  filled up the tires, drove it out of its grave, and raced my buddies 59 bug 45 miles home in one of my scariest, stinkiest rides EVAR....and btw; the motor and the car are to this day both doing fine.  although they don't live together anymore :P

Title: Re: motor sat for two years... what do i do?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on April 06, 2010, 09:02:57 am

are you talking of the green rabbit and its heart thats in the wrecked jetta?