Opinions appreciated on starting engine after LONG layup.

My golf has been off road since 2003 when the previous owner declared the car S.O.R.N

Ran well up until that point I am told and have a stack of service recipts and parts recipts four inches deep up to that date.

All that has been stripped from it is an alternator and a fuel pump. I'm currently working on getting the body/suspension sorted.

I am torn between sticking on new fuel lines and changing all belts,filters and plugs and firing her up or dismantling teh engine to clean and replace all seals and gaskets before attempting to turn it over.

The main question, I guess, is will it blow up if I do the former?!!!

A freshly charged / new battery and give it a go i'd say. Stick some fresh fuel in and prepare to let the engine turn over for a while as it'll take a bit of time to get the fuel through the lines. Keep your eye open for leaks and you should be fine.

Turn it over with the spark plugs removed. Do this for about a minute, this will at least get some oil pressure up before you go to start it. Once started let it idle for ten minutes with the occasional SMALL rev, this will let you check for leaks etc before you go for a drive.

cheers

i started a diesel after 10+ years and it was fine,i put a drop of oil in the bores just to be shure and off it went  :wink:
Bert

do a water and oil change spin it over to get oil pressure up fresh fuel is a must clean plugs,cap,rotor arm. then start it up

run it with the rad cap off so any air can escape

Ah excellent, thanks for all the replies  

My project might just get it's MOT a few months earlier than expected now!

Fresh battery, fresh oil if its rank, spark plugs out, oil in bores, turn over by hand to oil bores fully, turn over on starter to ensure oil pressure is built up, plugs back in and start properly. Ensure fresh petrol is added to tank.

Non starting then could be petrol is dead as it does go off with time - bleed with turning engine over and fuel feed pipe to carb or fuel rail off (be careful where it spits fuel and do it in the open) if its carbed then water and condensation can build up in tank or carb bowl