woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Jun 24, 2011 15:02:27 GMT
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Hi retro-heads  Long time lurker, first thread, second post. So go easy  Recently found out my other half is still the legal keeper of a blue Feista Auto mk2. Currently stored in her best friends Dads garage. Where it has sat for a number of years (at least 10 at a guess) Now it seems the house is due to be repossesed and if we don't move the car soon it might disapear! As luck would have it the house we are doing up has a bit of space so we can rescue it, BUT I've never moved a car thats been stationary for this long and have no idea what challenges I may face. clearly the tyres might be shot, and the battery will be flatter than a flat thing in a flat box marked flat. but what about moving or trailering the car? Any advice or knowledge would be gratefully recevied and a resto thread will appear in due course hopefully |
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Jun 24, 2011 15:17:07 GMT
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Being an auto I'd say a trailer would be the best option, why not chuck a charged battery on it & stick some fresh fuel in and see if she fire's up. Welcome to RR. |
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974
Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974)
Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary)
MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986)
MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984)
MK4 Escort (1989)
MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously)
Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997)
1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat
2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Jun 24, 2011 15:19:53 GMT
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Thanks for the welcome!
Been years since I had to muck about with carbs etc. Hope I can remember what little I knew!
If theres any fuel in there, would it be worth syhoning the tank and refilling? then new battery with maybe the spark leads off to get things turning over and pull some good fuel in, then trying to start?
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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Jun 24, 2011 17:05:24 GMT
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Pump the tyres up, put on a fresh battery, check the oil and water then give it a try... if it ran when it was parked it probably still does - 3 years isn't that long, and fiestas are tough, simple old tech. edit - where the heck did I get 3 years? it says 10.... oh well, I'd still try it and see I'd still recommend trailering it away - it isn't legal to drive it unless you go to the bother of insuring it, and the same goes for towing it away on a rope/pole - it needs insurance to even LOOK at a road. Also, you shouldn't tow an auto for more than 10 miles at no more than 30mph because it will roast the gearbox. |
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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Jun 24, 2011 17:34:46 GMT
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if you want to fire it up, definitely stick some fresh fuel in it.
but i think trailering it is probably the best option
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rodney
Posted a lot
https://www.facebook.com/RD-vehicle-transport-and-recovery-services-525622614268010/
Posts: 1,677
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Jun 26, 2011 23:27:02 GMT
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pay a truck dude to take it for you , thats what i used to do for a living and delt with this kinda thing all the time,.
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facebook: rodney dean / rd transport  |
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djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
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Jun 27, 2011 11:14:51 GMT
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On Fiestas you should be able to drain most of the tank by disconnecting the fuel feed under the bonnet at its lowest point and draining into a selection of washing up bowls etc. Then put in 5 litres or so of fresh fuel once you've reconnected the fuel line.
At this point it would be kind to the engine to squirt a teaspoon of oil into each spark plug hole, then crank the engine (still with plugs removed) to allow oil to circulate up to full pressure (and also to allow the fuel pump to draw fresh fuel through) before putting the plugs back in. I would then get someone to turn the key while you squirt easy start direct into the carb (Choke off just in case it floods). You have about a 70% chance of this working. :-)
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Last Edit: Jun 27, 2011 11:16:24 GMT by djefk
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Brian Damaged
West Midlands
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 9,555 
Club RR Member Number: 33
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Jun 27, 2011 20:22:20 GMT
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Don't be tempted to tow it. IIRC Mk2 Fiesta Mong-O-Matic gearboxes were made of chocolate. And Unobtanium. It may well have been the reason it was parked up in the first place.
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barty
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,088
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Jun 27, 2011 20:51:17 GMT
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All this seems a waste of time if the engine is siezed so before you do anything get a spanner on the crank pully and see if it turns, then you will have to see if the brakes are stuck on then you will need to know if the clutch is stuck. Not really worth draining the tank and then swapping batteries till then. MY advise is to get a local paper and get some prices to get it recovered on the back of a truck, they are experts in dealing with this sort of thing then you can sort the car out at your leisure
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Jun 27, 2011 21:03:27 GMT
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after 10 years you can turn a free engine into a siezed one quite quickly. Turn it over by hand first, if its free squirt some thin oil down the bores so when you are whirring it over on the starter its got some oil there to lube it.
I've never had one lock, but I know a few people who have, turn the key and it turns over a few times and then CLICK and its siezed.
Rent a trailer or better a man with a truck, get it home and work on it properly there
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Aug 16, 2011 10:03:24 GMT
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Right, thanks for all the advice. I finally got to go see the old gal yesterday. and its not good.  Personally I think its a bit far gone but not totally dead yet, and I've not even tried to start it yet. Let me list things: The area in front of the rear wheels is rotten and a mess. Theres rust on the bonnet dented and filled passenger wing dented front bumper dented rear bumper its COVERED in dust and dirt being a Ghia the brightwork is well, not bright anymore The insides have a fair covering of mold the battery looks ruined, even though its been disconnected Tried yanking on the front towing eye and it wont move. Good news: all windows intact interior should clean up I've found a key for it, which fits and works the door locks The doors open and close the bonnet opens fine the tyres are pretty flat, but HAVE got some air left hand brake was left down towing eye is solid apart from the rear rust holes desribed above theres no massive piles of rust or manky exhaust lying under the car under the bonnet looks reasonable gear selector moves, but I have no idea about how it actually selects a gear! And i have a friendly man with a truck and winch. So as I don't want to leave it there I need to work out how to free what evers holding the car stationary. As the handbrake of down, I'm guessing its the gearbox in Park. Anyone have any experiance with these? I'm hoping to get back down there with tools and get some old down the bores and turn it by hand, then stick some new battery power down its next and try the gearbox. But i'm wondering if the box requires the engine to be started? once its out and moved to our house I can clean it up and give it a proper going over. Worst case is we strip its good bits to help other mk2's out. thanks all |
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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stueyt
Posted a lot
Saving cars from the scrapyard.
Posts: 1,682
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Aug 16, 2011 10:20:28 GMT
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Get some pictures up, someone may well take it off your hands Cheers, Stu. |
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Always looking for the next project!
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Aug 16, 2011 10:31:10 GMT
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will do, but its the other half's nans car which she inherited as a first car years ago. shes pretty intent on fixing it and keeping it for sentimental reasons. Shes even said she want to learn to weld to help fix it up! |
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Aug 16, 2011 10:57:23 GMT
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Putting it in 'N' (neutral) to move it, if it's in 'P' it wouldn't shouldn't move.
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974
Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974)
Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary)
MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986)
MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984)
MK4 Escort (1989)
MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously)
Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997)
1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat
2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Aug 16, 2011 12:18:40 GMT
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tried that. the lever moves freely enough although it still feels connected to something. But the car wouldnt shift. granted we only tried to push it ourselves, I'm wondering if it needs a little move oomph, possible that the bearings are frozen up/
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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Aug 16, 2011 12:41:38 GMT
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More likely stuck brakes than bearings, it's pretty uncommon to be able to push a car that stood for so long by hand!
Pump the tyres up and give it a tug with the winch - I reckon it will move.
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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Aug 16, 2011 12:50:57 GMT
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It's possible that the brakepads have formed a small lip of rust around them, kinda "glueing" them to the discs/drums.
Put it in neutral, tyres pumped up, and give it a short tow (1 metre or so). If it moves, win! If it doesn't... something's jammed solid
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You're like a crazy backyard genius! |
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Aug 16, 2011 13:31:19 GMT
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when trying to move a car for the first time in a long time i allways over pump the tyres to 40 odd PSi it makes it easyer to move as the tyre grows the leveradge from the contact patch to the stuck item increases as well, it's only mm but it does help, i used to move cars out of garages for a living some had been there for up to 30 years.
Stale it might be but leaded fual allways degrades a LOT slower than unleaded so it might still be fresh enough to start the car just might not idle too well?
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R.I.P photobucket
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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Aug 16, 2011 13:40:28 GMT
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ah thats something I didnt think of! FUEL! I'll have to find out what it runs on  leaded or unleaded. Sounds like the Vectras tow bar will get a bit of use before we call in the truck |
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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Aug 16, 2011 15:06:01 GMT
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How long does it take for fuel to go 'off'?
I'd wager the brakes are stuck solid.
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leaded or unleaded.