Jimboxr4x4

My 4x4 Saph has been in storage for the last 8.5 years. It was last started about 6 years ago.

Please could someone run through how to start it up after such a long time laid up?

I was thinking to drain and replace the fuel, lubricate the pistons and turn it over with the plugs out. Anything else I should be aware of please?

stevieturbo

Depends how damp etc it was where it was stored.

But it will almost definitely need fresh fuel, and maybe a fuel filter would do no harm.

Check condition of timing belt etc.

Oil.....dip it and see what it looks like, but it'd do no harm to chuck some new oil/filter into it, even cheap stuff just to run it up to temperature etc rather than usign what's in it. Although if the oil on the dipstick looks clean enough. it'd probably be ok.

And usual good battery etc.

bazza77

being stood that long i would take dizzy out
prime it with a drill that way getting oil to all bearings etc before you spin it over dry risking damage

Jimboxr4x4

Thanks, hadn’t thought of that. Much appreciated. Just hoping I can get it back on the road without costing a fortune. It’s been stored for a long time but can’t wait to use it again although it’s the wrong time of year!

stevieturbo

after 8 years static, if poor conditions....I'd be more concerned with the brakes, and rust lol. And possibly clutch disc may be stuck to the flywheel or cover.

Seen far too many brake pads fall apart when being used, nevermind after sitting abandoned for a few years.

jameswrx

Is there fuel in it? Hopefully so. If not, check the tank. Not sure if these rust inside but would assume so if it was empty.

I’ve recently recommissioned an old Aston for someone and he’d left it sat for 5 years with no fuel and the main issue was rust/debris in the fuel system. You don’t even wanna know what that’s like to deal with on a 70’s mechanical fuel injection setup lol. Unfortunately before I’d got to it he’d dumped a Jerry can of fuel into it and the resulting flush of rust blocked the fuel surge tank completely and the fuel was like tea even at the injectors!

The Youth.

iTrader: (1)

I would be changing the cambelt before I started it !!
Steve

GVK.

Deffo this.

cossynut2

Did you manage to get it started and running again? Have you had a run out in it yet? After such a long time off the road you will have to get used to it all over again!

Jimboxr4x4

Not tried to start it yet as need a new battery. Hoping to give it a go next weekend.

Jimboxr4x4

I’ve had a look at the cambelt which looks fine and it was only changed just before I laid it down so going to leave that at the moment.

I’m going to put a little bit of oil into each cyclinder (about a tea spoon?), unplug injectors and turn it over on the starter with the plugs out. Does this sound about right?

Looking forward to hearing the old girl running again (if it starts!)

cossynut2

Looking at the photo's of your Saff in your garage it seems like a good dry garage which is a bonus. If it was constantly wet with condensation I would be more concerned but I don't think you will have any problems engine wise. Your idea of putting a tiny amount of oil into each cylinder and turning it over sounds good. During the time it's been stored have you started it every now and then? Check everything that you can and give it a try.Good luck!

Jimboxr4x4

Thanks. It has been dry in the garage and the clutch and brakes seem okay. It last ran about 5 years ago when I started it and ran up to temperate and for a few mins but other than that nothing.

Jimboxr4x4

Bought a new battery and tried to start it. Turned over but didn’t fire up then suddenly all electrics dead. Nothing at all. I’m guessing a fuse has blown but none seem to have blown in the fuse box under the bonnet. Is there a main fuse or relay somewhere? Any ideas?

** got the electrics up am running again now but still not firing up yet **

Jimboxr4x4

Got sidetracked with work last few months but want it up and running for the summer. It's turning over but shows an error on the fault code reader for Ecu ignition fault. Any ideas what could cause this? Must it be Ecu itself?

Thanks.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Is the fuel pump priming.

stevieturbo

And do you have spark ?

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Re-read and realised it now turns over.

The only thing I can think is CPS, as this is the input the ECU uses to send a SPOUT and would register a fault.

Does it smell of fuel/plugs wet? If not then even more reason to suspect CPS, as the pump won’t run without it, also check all four lugs are intact on the crank pulley.

You can easily check this by removing the “hairbrush” cover and measuring the voltage from it whilst cranking, should be in the order of around 2.5V AC.

I repaired someone’s ECU on a 3 door restoration which would not start and it fired up immediately, then died and would not start again, but this was because of lack of fuel.

Martin

Jimboxr4x4

Martin, thank you for the advice. I will check the CPS next then. I feel its got to be something fairly simple but I'm a bit out of touch with tinkering with cossies as it's been nearly ten years since I last had mine running. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks.