Getting it running again...

[Scotty2]

My 1994 Disco 300Tdi Auto (185,000 miles) has been sat on my drive for about 15 months now, gradually returning to nature. I want to get it running again before the winter, and to do the job while the weather is decent. Anyone any tips on what will probably be seized etc. and what I should and shouldn't do. I was tempted to just put in a bit of fresh diesel, charge the battery and see what happens. It was running very nicely when I parked it up (company car meant I couldn't afford to run that as well).

Also, the rear seats especially seem to growing a lot of mold (If it doesn't start, I'm thinking of putting some tomatos in as the back might make a nice green house!). Anyone any experience of getting the stuff off the seat material?

It's about time i paid it some attention again.

[cieranc]

It's a TDi mate, just get a fully charged battery on it an spin it over!

[durknp]

yeh diesels should just fire straight up on the whole. i would recommend at least a check of all the oils, personally i would change em as they do decay eventually. perhaps pump the lift pump a few times to make sure the injector pump has fuel to enagble easier starting. hope you didnt leave the hand brake on. if it is stuck on hit it with a lump hammer and just gently rock the car back and forth and it should pop loose. once its running take it for a spin and then check for any seals which may have become brittle and may leak.

[blanche_90]

if the handbrakes stuck on, (which it probably has if you left it engaged)
take it off and on a few times then hit the drum with a good lump of wood or at least a piece of wood between the hammer and drum otherwise you might crack the drum in your enthusisum (read temper) and like said try rocking it.
this may take a few attempts.
you may find other problems start emergeing once you've got it going/running on the road, like flat spots on the wheel bearings, but when you take it for it's MOT, most of these things ought to be picked up.
the list of problems could be endless or practally nothing, without actually seeing it's condition it's hard to say.

mouldy seats are not MOTable by the way.

[blanche_90]

sorry, forgot to add,if it's been stood for 15mths then the battery is, like you say, in need of a good chargeing.TRICKLE charge it, don't boost charge it as it will buckle the plates, but even this may not recover it.

[spannerman69]

i`d spin it over a good few times to get the oil pressure up and lube the tappets , can`t hurt none.

[(Gray)]

I too would be inclined to check all the oil levels before starting it.

And also check the brake fluid.
I'd also take the wheels off and check that the brake pistons haven't rusted and seized in their calipers - no point in taking it for it's MOT if it won't stop.

Your tyres might also be flat spotted where they've been compressed against the drive, so there might be some uneven handling. Over inflate them, and drive slowly for several miles. Should bring them back to normal. Though how you're going to be able to drive without an MOT (and presumably tax and insurance) is another question. Do you have a spare set of wheels & tyres you can use for it's MOT?

[norseman45]

You can take a 'SORN'd car for an MOT provided the test is by appointment & within a reasonable distance ('reasonable' could be open to interpretation) but the car must be insured.

[Scotty2]

Thanks for the tips guys. I think the hand brake was on for probably first 6 months. I then realised and took it off. Think it was a bit too late though, as it doesn't seem to want to rock at all when it is pushed. I went to get the battery out to put it on charge (yep, trickle charge) and hit a problem that i really wasn't expecting. I can't open the bonnet! However hard I pull on the cable, isn't budging. It's not in a great position anyway as can't get my fingers around both sides properly (if that is normal, someone as Land Rover needs a kick for that bit of design). But it doesn't want to give even a millimeter! Anyone any ideas if the bonnet can be opened without it or if it can freed? The LRS (land rover spider) seems to have been breeding there as well.............
(Not planning on putting back on road quite yet, but wanted to make sure it was still ok and move it around the drive so that i can move some other stuff.

[burko_uk]

Dunno about the disco, but on a defender if you remove the grill you can get at the catch, and open it there. Don't pull to hard or the handle will pop off the end of the cable!

[(Gray)]

[crazymac]

Can you get someone to the front? If so, get them to push the bonnet down while you pull the cable, this takes some of the pressure off and may allow you enough to get it working.

Regarding starting, I must admit i'd be tempted to change the timing belt before starting it! they can deteriorate while standing!

[(Gray)]

And if you're on your own, put a blanket or rug on the bonnet and put your spare wheel and/or a heavyish tool box on it, should depress the bonnet enough to ease some tension on the cable.

[Scotty2]

Ah, getting some weight on the bonnet! Clever one. I'll give that a go. Failing that, the mole grips could be a plan. I'll let you know. At this point, i'm missing my defender where battery access was so much easier. Still kicking myself for selling that!

[crazymac]

[Scotty2]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Managed to get the bonnet open with the help of my Dad bouncing on it! Looking forward to getting the battery charged and then giving it a spin, hopefully one evening this week.

Thanks again folks.