Start-up after winter lay-off

My TD21 has been in a hibernation since November with a battery trickle-charger. In previous years I have started it up every 2 weeks or so and run the engine to normal operating temperature. This year, as I have been busy, and as a result of other members telling me that regular starting does the engine more damage than leaving it, I have not started the engine since November. So, it has been still now for 4 months. It's been on a battery conditioner, the oil level is good, no major leaks.  Does anyone have advice as to precautions before I try to start it up again? For example, how can I get oil in the dry parts of the engine before I start it? Should I add some through the rocker cover beforehand?  Thanks in advance..... Posted by Philip 22/03/2015 09:49:06

Remove the spark plugs and squirt 5 shots of Marvel Mystery Oil into each cylinder at least 12 hours before you plan to start it.  You could similarly lightly oil everything under the rocker cover.  Good luck! Posted by johnlayzell 22/03/2015 13:19:18

While the plugs are out, crank the engine with the starter until the oil pressure comes up. Check the clutch is free at the same time, if not, there are a variety of  fixes that may be required ranging from easy to very difficult via brutal. Starting the car monthly and running it a fast idle,say 1500rpm, is not that bad provided you get everything really really hot ,blank the radiator if necessary, also try to get everything to move that normally moves (brakes,clutch ,gears,transmission ). Fresh petrol is also good idea for the restart and if the oil  & filter are more than a year old  definitely worth changing.  Good Luck Posted by Peter Martin 22/03/2015 15:33:07

Add a fairly copious amount of oil down the oil hole in the distributor. I am not referring to the oiling point under the rotor. It would nevertheless be a good idea to put a few drops of light grade oil, such as used in sewing machines in the top too.  The primary aim is for the distributor drive gear bearing to be lubricated. A dry bearing can cause all sorts of major issues.   Richard Melbourne Posted by RichardWallach 22/03/2015 21:23:52

Thanks, all, for the advice. I'd rather not remove the plugs as to do so I have to remover the rocker cover (the heat shield covers one side of the plugs)....I posted the same questions on Facebook and got some answers as below....several say leaving it for 4 months is no problem..what do you all say to that?.. [i:lkm01t1i] Chris Hewitt You could remove the plugs and crank her over without any compression. If you did remove the rocker cover, you'll see when the oil started to circulate. A drop of oil down the followers and especially on the distributor drive advisable too before turning it over.  Philip O Aoc Removing the plugs is a drag because of the integral heat shield on the rocker cover - would taking the distributor cap off have the same effect? Or.. turning it over with the starting handle?  Chris Hewitt You can certainly get a little oil to the distributor drive by removing the cap. The reason I mentioned to remove the plugs is to put less load on the battery and also turn it over a little quicker to get things flowing which hand cranking won't help with. Maybe worth pulling the feed to the coil before turning it over on the starter for a while to get the oil flowing without it firing.  David Gray You worry too much. Just check all the levels and just start it. The oil will soon circulate.  Mark T Boldry Take the low tension lead off the coil and turn the engine on the starter until oil pressure shows on the gauge.... You will of course have checked all the levels prior to starting... Put the low tension lead back on the coil and bring her to life..  Yesterday at 10:55 · Like  Philip O Aoc Thanks - when you say "all levels", apart from the oil level, what else?  David Gray Coolant level.  Kevin Pickett The oil doesn't dry up. The oily bits will still be oily. Oil pressure is there in a second.  Mark T Boldry Well, I guess you'll be wanting to start using the car again, engine oil, gearbox oil and diff oil.. REPLACE the brake fluid as a matter of course and power steering fluid (if fitted). How often do you replace the coolant..? Flush the cooling system and replenish with fresh coolant.  Mark T Boldry Kevin, whilst the oil doesn't dry up as such, it will have drained from a lot of critical areas... priming the system will get oil back into those areas prior to starting...  Kevin Pickett I believe it is negligible after just a few months. The couple of slow cranks of the engine before the fuel is through primes the oil pump enough.  Philip O Aoc So, Kevin, if I just turn it over without starting it (it normally takes a few tries anyway, even if I prime the carbs with the fuel "tickler"), all will be OK.....?  Chris Hewitt One that gets missed is the timing adjster lubrication. Mine was seized and they are becoming hard to find replacements. Also a drop of oil for the brake servo down the pipe breather nr the battery.  Kevin Pickett Hello Philip O Aoc I'm not an expert but I believe that the benefits of the efforts to get a few extra drops of oil to a couple of places is not at the top my spring starting regime because my TD always fires after a couple of cranks and oil pressure i...See More  Chris Hewitt I agree that you don't need to worry too much but it is quite satisfying and reassuring to do a little bit extra if she's been stood a while. Also the more you get to know your car, the longer things will last and issues can be spotted and prevented on...See More  Nick Cook This is all good advice, but I wonder about the premise of Philip's initial question. Unless I am missing something fundamental, provided all the good 'putting to bed' procedures are gone through, for example; ensuring the petrol has a fuel stabiliser ...  Chris Hewitt The main issue with running the engine over winter is the fact that it is not under load which isn't good for the motor . I run my engine regularly while not on the road but put it in drive in the dg150 to ensure some load and also get her up to temperature too. The only other issue i am aware of is the battery being depleted without a full recharge.  Philip O Aoc Hi Nick - I have done all the above procedures. I've had conflicting advice...I used to start it up every couple of weeks, but another AOC member told me starting it up and not moving it (as it is garaged) would do more damage than leaving it, on the premise that the engine wear is worst when starting up. So, on that premise, this year I have left it for 4 months. It is normally very reliable - if I leave it for a few weeks and prime the carbs, it takes 4 or 5 goes to start. So Nick, what's your advice - start it up very few weeks, or leave it? Given that I have done the latter this year, any tips?...S  Kevin Pickett Running an engine for a short while can cause condensation to form in the rocker box and mayo around the filler and breather. It usually needs proper running to eliminate the moisture. I think you pay your money and take your choice. I have done both over the years and can't say I have noticed a difference either way.  David Gray Listen to Kevin. Don't start it and warm it up you'll just cause condensation. It's just an engine. It won't suffer from lying a few months. A few years and I might be concerned. Just keep in maintained and as you said keep the battery charged.  Come spring just start it. Oil will circulate and all will be well.  Then drive it.  Guy Walker Yep, if I may dip an oar in here, just start her up, no faffing about. Make sure your brakes are working and enjoy a good long 40 mile journey. Drive her hard after 20 miles. Don't worry about the engine, please change the brake fluid by pumping out at...  Guy Walker Oh, and after a good long run change your anti freeze for blue glycol 50/50 mix!  Vic Round From a layman and probably too late, but, check the clutch really is disengaged before trying to engage a gear live? They can stick in if you have not propped the pedal down a bit as it sleeps? I freed it by engaging reverse , then pressing starter, remembering to open the garage doors first .. [/i:lkm01t1i] Posted by Philip 23/03/2015 13:20:02

Later cars do not have the useless plug shield,to make life easy get it cut off, it is purely decorative. Re Facebook advice ,I would still be cautious but take it for a long run once started. Posted by Peter Martin 24/03/2015 10:17:49

Out of interest can a TA-TC plug shield be used if a side entry distributor cap was fitted? I was wondering whether the stud holes were still cast into the head ????   Richard Melbourne Posted by RichardWallach 29/03/2015 06:46:09

Thank you all for your advice. My car came out of its bubble yesterday, started second time, no problem, topped up auto box and engine oils, did 15 miles or so to get everything moving again, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's off today for its check-up and MOT. In previous years it has had "milky" deposits by the oil cap on the rocker cover, which apparently is due to moisture accumulating when starting it up regularly over the winter. This year, I haven't started it for 4 months, just kept the battery conditioner on, and no problem at all, and no "milkiness". Posted by Philip 07/04/2015 08:02:23

BRAVO!  Well done!  Now exercise it more frequently! Posted by johnlayzell 07/04/2015 12:39:16