Starting after 18 Months

[sobodave]

I got stuck on a project....I'm a novice, and I have just finally finished the project after 18 months. I went to start the car today and the ignition cranked, but it didn't start. What should be done to start a car that has been sitting this long? Is there a trick or troubleshooting process? I have a 1983 911.

Also, should I change the oil before trying to start the car? Or let it start on the old oil and then change it?

Thanks for your help.

Now that my kids are a little older, I'm hoping to have more time to work on the car!

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by sobodave

I got stuck on a project....I'm a novice, and I have just finally finished the project after 18 months. I went to start the car today and the ignition cranked, but it didn't start. What should be done to start a car that has been sitting this long? Is there a trick or troubleshooting process? I have a 1983 911.

Also, should I change the oil before trying to start the car? Or let it start on the old oil and then change it?

Thanks for your help.

Now that my kids are a little older, I'm hoping to have more time to work on the car!

sobodave,

First, if I were in your shoes doing this start-up process, I would do the following things:
1). Use fresh fuel.
2). Battery fully charged.
3). Check the control and sytem pressures. Although you never mentioned what system you have on your car, I'm assumung it is still CIS.
4). Vacuum leak is you number one enemy for a good start-up. If you know how to perform an air leak test, that's an advantage.
5). Check for sparks. An inductive timing light is a good tool to use.
6). Ignition timing should be close to spec and off a few degrees would still make the engine start and run!!!!

Everytime I do a similar start-up like yours, I like to run the FP for several seconds and look around the engine area for any fuel leak/s. I have found loose fuel line fittings or connections many times in the course of my work and inspite of all the precautions, things go differently. I always have a fire extinguisher ready in the work area and have not used one so far.

Inspect and double check your work. Having a second set of eyes sometimes help. Others will probably add more to the list. And this is my motto: Things that could go wrong will go wrong!!!! So be ready for the unexpected. Keep us posted.

Tony

[Drisump]

Tony mentions all good stuff, but you haven't mentioned whether the car was driving fine 18 months ago? If so, I would drain the fuel system and replace the fuel filter/fuel before going anywhere else. The gasoline of today doesn't stay usable for very long, especially with the ethanol that most areas mandate. Ethanol attracts water and water doesn't burn very well. Good luck

[sobodave]

It was drivable 18 months ago.....I am trying your suggestions today. I will let you know how it goes!

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by sobodave

It was drivable 18 months ago.....I am trying your suggestions today. I will let you know how it goes!

sobodave,

It is mandatory to have a fuel pressure gauge kit when troubleshhooting for any fuel injected systems. Otherwise, you'll be doing a lot of guesswork to find the culprit/s.

Do you know how to run the FP without running the motor? This will help prime the lines and rinse the other CIS components. These are the critical things you should focus:

Ignition timing/sparks............an inductive timing light.
Fuel pressures (control and system)............pressure gauge.
Presence of unmetered air (vacuum/air leak)..........pressurized the system with air.

The extra OXS components like FV and O2 sensor should not prevent you from starting unless the relay is bad. Keep us posted and we'll have your car running soon.

Tony