Oil pressure related starting problem?

Hi all,

I have finally managed to get my long term project started (literally). I am trying to find out what was wrong, I will explain more:
The car has been stood for a long time and when I got the car she turned over fine on the key, getting a good spark and fuel seemed to be getting through but it would not start.
I finally got a mate to tow me over to my workshop and along the way I tried bump starting it a few times. I think this started to move oil around inside and on the third attempt it started.
Am I right in thinking that the possible cause could be the oil pressure sensor? I am also thinking that it could have simply been dry bores causing lack of compression. I am still learning the VAG engines and want to try to understand as much as I can.

Thanks for any advice. Oh forgot to say it is a 1600 GTi 1979

Matt B.

Could be a combination of sticky rings, old petrol.  Lack of oil pressure at the sensor would not stop the engine starting.

Cheers

Rich

Does this engine have hydraulic tappets? if so, you're problem could have been that these drained so they wouldn't have been opening the valves properly. Have seen this problem on a later polo engine when it had been stood for ages. The starter won't turn the engine fast enough to build pressure back up in the tappets. towing and bumping is generally the only solution.

Not sure if it has tappets I think it has. I tried to start it again today and same problem. It does not sound like the valves are having problems. It seems like it is a problem with the rings.
I will give it a good service and a long run to clean it out.

Thanks for your input guys.

Matt