A2 1st start in about 6 months - anything I should do beforehand?

mcauleyj

Member
My A2 hasn't been started in about 6 months or so since I stripped the interior to change the carpets, clean the seats etc.
I also have the front and back bumpers off for some repairs and retrofit additions.
So now I'm in the process of putting it all back together, I have the battery out and fully charged and I plan on servicing it too, which has lead me to wonder:

1. As the car has been sitting a while - is there anything special I should consider like turning engine by hand (and how do you do that?) before trying to start?
2. Would it be best to change the oil before attempting to start or after (I normally change the oil when it is warm, so was planning on starting, letting the car run for a while then changing the oil).

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
John
 
Charge your battery and fire it up ..no problem ? I have a couple of cars I’ve stored for 12 months in between mot I put an additive in and fill the tank it’s basically a stabiliser It keeps the fuel fresh prevents gum and varnish build up..filling tank reduces condensation ..
 
Thanks Greywolf,
That's good to know.
I've just been looking up the cold versus hot oil change debate online, so I think I'll fire away and change the oil and filter too before the start.
John
 
I'd take the plugs out, put about 5 mls of clean engine oil in each cylinder, then turn the engine over for about 10 seconds. Then re-fit the plugs. This will mean that when you start it for real, the oily bits are oily. Maximum engine wear happens when metal to metal friction occurs with no lubricant.
Mac.
 
I agree with the advice already given.

The oil will be fine, better in my opinion to change it when it's been run for a while and got nice and hot and circulated around the engine. That way you will remove far more impurities when you change it.

You've done the most important part already in ensuring the battery is fully charged.

If it was me I would turn the key letting the glow plug warmers and fuel pump do their thing then start it up and I'm sure, presuming it's a diesel, it will fire right up ?
 
Is there an easy (like taking the plugs out on a petrol) way of adding a drop of oil to the upper cylinder of a diesel, while allowing it to turn over with no load (sorry I default to petrol).
Mac.
 
Is there an easy (like taking the plugs out on a petrol) way of adding a drop of oil to the upper cylinder of a diesel, while allowing it to turn over with no load (sorry I default to petrol).
Mac.

I'm not aware of any - I would imagine the 2 possibilities are removing injectors or glowplugs.
I have changed glowplugs on my old 1.9TDI A4 AVF engine. I soaked them with penetrating fluid for a good few days beforehand and removed them with the engine warm as I didn't want to risk them breaking off on removal which is a risk - so for a cold not started engine it doesn't seem ideal.
I've never removed injectors so I don't know what is involved there, maybe someone on here will chip in.

John
 
Back
Top