Tips for dealing with a 'sleeping' car...

[grifterkid]

Hello to you all...

If something like this has been discussed before I do sincerely apologise!

Basically I have a Triumph Toledo that has been sitting for about 4 years and I want to bring it back to life very gently and very carefully of course!!!

I have owned the car for close on 10 years and I have to keep it, I can't let it go!

Anyhow, I digress.

What tips can you good people give me (and hopefully others!) with regards to waking a sleeping car up with a view to getting it back up and running safely?!

Any comments/suggestions with be thankfully received...

[triumphdolomiteuk]

Change the oil and filter.
Get rid of the stale fuel.
Check points, plugs, air filter.
Check every single bit of rubber fuel hose on the car - it may have perished, especially old hoses which don't like modern unleaded fuel.
Check that the clutch operates - be belt and braces and change the master/slave cylinder seals.
Check the brakes very, very carefully. Calipers sieze, wheel cylinders leak.
Change the tyres, no matter how much tread they still have.
All the above based on recent personal experience.

[grifterkid]

Thanks for the above tips...

I was just going to give the car a wash and leather!!!

Joking aside I realise that letting a car sit for eons is never good so I am keen to get this right.

Any more hints and tips would be appreciated.

Thanks all

[triumphdolomiteuk]

Drain the coolant and refill with new antifreeze and water.
Check the condition of all the coolant hoses.
Get the car running.
MoT it.
USE IT. Enjoy. Enormously.

[Toledo Man]

Don't forget to replace the battery. If it has been standing for 4 years the battery will be fubar.
Try turning the engine by hand to make sure it isn't seized or doesn't have any valves stuck. Do several revolutions just to be certain. If is turns freely then try turning it over on the starter motor to see if there's any oil pressure. Check the oil level on the dipstick before you try this.

[grifterkid]

Try turning the engine by hand...

I am so sorry but I have never really known what this procedure entails...?! What do you need to do to do this?!

All this advice is amazing so thank you so much!

[TrustNo1]

All the above based on recent personal experience.

You have a running and working Dolomite?

[triumphdolomiteuk]

Yes, only took a mere twelve years to achieve, but now in daily use.

[cliftyhanger]

Going against the grain a bit here, but beg/borrow/steal a decent battery, plugs out and spin the engine over to get oil around and hopefully fuel sucked through. Replace plugs and see if it fires up.

Obviously cast an eye over all hoses etc, but with a bit of luck not much will be needed. Except a brake fluid flush through, and some tyres (probably got flat spots, but a set of 4 decent tyres will not be horrendously expensive. Maybe wait until everything else is sorted, and then get tyres done.)

Old fuel can be an issue, but not always. You can easily drain the tank if it is no good, and pop a gallon of fresh in there. Oil change a good idea, but easier if the old oil is hot. Clutch may be an issue, but all sorts can be tried to free it off. All hydraulics will need a look, and may require seals or more.

Generally the advice above is good, but getting a car running and hopefully moving is a great incentive to getting it back on the road, rather than pouring time/effort/cash into it but without gratification.

[grifterkid]

My plan is to 'titivate' the Toledo first in terms of giving it a thorough clean both inside and out... I think this will be a nice bit of initial motivation to see the beast back in a state that makes it look good (even if it's below par in reality!).

Then I will most certainly follow the above steps and see what is what. As I have already said, I do want to do this in the right way so as not to make things worse.

Thanks to all for suggesting what has been suggested, I really do appreciate it!!!

[2door-toledo]

Try turning the engine by hand...

I am so sorry but I have never really known what this procedure entails...?! What do you need to do to do this?!

All this advice is amazing so thank you so much!

As far as I know the best way is to put a large socket and wrench on the pulley bolt. I think 1 13/16" is the size you need. You shouldn't need that much effort to turn it over, and it'll be even easier if the spark plugs are out (otherwise you'll be fighting against the engine's compression - hopefully!).

Another way is to leave the car in gear and push it, but that seems less careful.

[Karlos]

My plan is to 'titivate' the Toledo first in terms of giving it a thorough clean both inside and out... I think this will be a nice bit of initial motivation to see the beast back in a state that makes it look good (even if it's below par in reality!).

Then I will most certainly follow the above steps and see what is what. As I have already said, I do want to do this in the right way so as not to make things worse.

Thanks to all for suggesting what has been suggested, I really do appreciate it!!!

Glad to hear you are going to keep it grifterkid, you had already made it your own. If you want to borrow my battery charger and some help getting it started I could spend a morning tinkering with it if you would like any help?

[grifterkid]

All this help and advice has been most welcome, you are all such nice people!!!

It does seem like my Toledo will see the road very soon. At least, I hope it will!

[TrustNo1]

As far as I know the best way is to put a large socket and wrench on the pulley bolt. I think 1 13/16" is the size you need.
Another way is to leave the car in gear and push it, but that seems less careful.

The only issue with rocking the car in gear is if it has sticky brakes after being sat so long otherwise it is perfectly safe if you are sensible and don't push off down a hill.