Help with moving an auto fiesta mk2

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?

if you want to fire it up, definitely stick some fresh fuel in it.

but i think trailering it is probably the best option

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. :-)

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

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

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!

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/

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

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