Starting it up after a long rest

[Sharky]

At my girldfriend's house they have a 2002 1.4L Peugeot 206. But the car was only driven by her brother who went to live for a while in japan and the car has been parked now for almost 2 months. It hasn't even been started.

I know that there could be several problems the next time it's started up. I'm pretty much guessing that the battery would have drained by now. But, are there any other precautions that should be taken before or during the start up after such a long period of inactivity?

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Sharky

At my girldfriend's house they have a 2002 1.4L Peugeot 206. But the car was only driven by her brother who went to live for a while in japan and the car has been parked now for almost 2 months. It hasn't even been started.

I know that there could be several problems the next time it's started up. I'm pretty much guessing that the battery would have drained by now. But, are there any other precautions that should be taken before or during the start up after such a long period of inactivity?

Two months isn't a great deal of time for a car to stand....it should have had the battery disconnected for that time though.

If you want to be super careful....take out all the spark plugs...squirt about a teaspoon of light oil in the holes. If it is a manual....put in top gear on a flat surface (handbrake off)....gently rock the car backwards and forwards while watchin what the pistons are doing through the plug holes (you may need a flashlight).

Clean the spark plugs and put back in....check under distributor cap for moisture or burn't points if it has them....

General fluid check, oil, water, battery water.....clean battery terminals if corroded or covered in green or white powder....

Check belt tensions...

Kick it in guts

(Errrgghh stop cranking immediately if you here clanking

[graham bahr]

thats not long at all, its a modern car so just turn the key and start it, best to let it warm up though once started and is poss give it a short drive to prevent brakes etc sticking.

if ever your going to leave a car parked up for a period, its best if poss to leave the handbrake off to stop it possibly sticking on

[Sharky]

Thing is that it looks like it will still be parked until her brother comes back. And that's 4 months away.

[graham bahr]

thats still nothing for a modern car, expect nothing more than maybe a flat battery, but i would still suggest the handbrake be left OFF

[Mathias]

My 1967 Bond Equipe hasn't been fired up for 2 years now. I really don't think it ever will... I know for a fact that the tyres are shot to buggery, and there are spiders the size of dishplates living under the bonnet. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

[Bluebottle]

Don't give up so soon Mathias, there's plenty of Triumph specialists in Buckinghamshire, most of them are probably quite happy to deal with a Bond

[Logrence]

I saw the thread title and was going to suggest a bit of baby lotion and some Barry White...

[Slippy Diff]

The funny thing is, that car probably sat in a compound for 6 months in 2 feet of water before it was delivered to the dealer and then on to the first owner.

[Mathias]

Originally Posted by Bluebottle

Don't give up so soon Mathias, there's plenty of Triumph specialists in Buckinghamshire, most of them are probably quite happy to deal with a Bond

I know one well - Johnny Spitfire of JY Classics fame. Just can't afford it at the moment! Ho hum.