TheSamba.com :: View topic - Starting engine after sitting for 10+ years.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:45 am

Hey, I am pretty sure this topic has been discussed many times before but I just cannot find it. I have searched and searched but nothing. Mainly cause I cant think of the right keywords. If anyone could point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it! I'm trying to figure out things to do with a car that has been stored in a dry garage for 10+ years before i go about starting it. I know i need to change to oil, adjust the valves and timing, replace all fuel and vacuum hoses, clean the air filter and carbs replace generator pulley. What else should i do? It's a 72' bay window transporter with 132,xxx miles on the original engine.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:06 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=260913&highlight=engine+sit*

learning how to use the search can be a little tricky.
found by searching title only start AND engine AND sit*

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:25 pm

Before trying to start, you could remove spark plugs and squirt some light oil(I like Marvel Mystery mixed with engine oil), into the cyls., and turn over by hand. I also take out the oil screen and see whats around there(metal chips?), and what the oil looks like. I would be looking for debris(leaves,mice nests...) under the cooling tin, around the cyls., in the heater tubes. if you were going to drive said vehicle, without rebuilding engine, you may still have to take engine out to examine/clean.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:05 pm

Cleaning and rebuilding carbs would be a good idea. Replace any rubber parts. Have fun! :D

Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:18 pm

Drain your fuel tank and put a couple of gallons of fresh gas, or just use a gas can.

If you are trying to determine if it will start, then just good oil and fueland a strong battery. Then you can get your seal/hose/tuneup list together and start cleaning.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:12 pm

Thanks for all the input guys! I am waiting until the weekend to roll it into the shop to start wrenching on it. The bug is currently in there hogging all attention. I just need to pop a window in her and then I'll roll the bus in and start with draining the engine+transmission oil. Then pulling the engine, removing the tin painting it, removing the cylinders so i can put some new piston rings, cleaning the whole engine and carbs, putting in new pushrod tube seals, replace the fuel lines, drain the gas, replace the vacuum lines, probably replace the fuel pump and clean the gas tank. Looks like i have got a busy couple weeks ahead of me :D I'm also in the process of rebuilding an engine for my bug. I'm thinking about starting a build thread for my bus in the readers rides section with a lot of pics :P

Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:16 pm

While you are doing that work, send those carbs out to "keifernet" and have them re-built. The throttle plate bushing like to leak vacuum.

At least you will know that they are in good shape when you need them to be.

Here is a nice rap on how to adjust them aslo....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399195&highlight=solex

Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:30 pm

Randy in Maine wrote: While you are doing that work, send those carbs out to "keifernet" and have them re-built. The throttle plate bushing like to leak vacuum.

At least you will know that they are in good shape when you need them to be.

Here is a nice rap on how to adjust them also....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399195&highlight=solex

Alright I will send out to him when i get them out of my car. Thanks for the info!

Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:00 pm

Wasn't this a topic here in the last few days? Instead of being 10 years it seems like it might have been 20 years.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:30 pm

Desertbusman wrote: Wasn't this a topic here in the last few days? Instead of being 10 years it seems like it might have been 20 years.

It's been a long few days. :wink:

Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:18 pm

Check the fuel tank for that stuff that gas turns into when it has been sitting for ten years, could be rust in there too. [-o< :bay_red: