Tips before I attempt to start the engine after HG repair

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 17 Dec 2008, 11:52

Priming the fuel - I've got that covered and a spare battery if it needs a lot of cranking to get all the air out.
Priming the oilways - I'm thinking; disconnect the IP stop solenoid feed so it doesn't try to inject fuel and cranking the engine on the battery. For how long?
Bleeding the coolant - I don't have any concerns there having successfully done this a few times before.
Anything else I should be aware of? I was advised to run the engine up to when the fans kick in and then allow it to cool overnight.

KP · Post by KP » 17 Dec 2008, 12:51

Regarding the cranking of the engine to prime the IP and the oil circuit.

Remove the glowplugs and the starter and battery will have a much easier life during the cranking phase.
Also if you have another car to use for this time have its engine running and use it to provide charge power to the battery thus allowing it to live a bit longer as you dont want to crank it and run the battery flat, its not good for them....

Also while the glowplugs are out put a teaspoon of engine oil down each pot to lessen the resistance that bit more. Really this is for full engine rebuilds so as to ensure the rings aren't running dry and scrapping the cylinder walls but if the engine has been stood for a while it could help just as much.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 17 Dec 2008, 12:59

get someone elss to start it up, then if it gose bang you can blame them,

TEA HE

regards malcolm

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 17 Dec 2008, 13:12

You might want to turn it over slowly and carefully by hand (socket on c/s pulley bolt) two complete revolutions to just make absolutely sure check that valves and pistons don't collide because the crankshaft is one revolution adrift.

If you just changed the head gasket, all the wearing/bearing surfaces in the head are no worse lubricated than if the car had been standing for a few days. If you stripped the head, I hope you lubricated as you re-assembled.

Best of luck

Guy

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 17 Dec 2008, 16:28

KP wrote:Remove the glowplugs

Oh no, not again... please not now everything's been refitted

Hmm, that's given me an

might it be easier to remove the injectors?

KP wrote:Also if you have another car to use

Yes, the Granada is working, just not insured and I also have another heavy-duty battery fully charged.

KP wrote:Also while the glowplugs are out put a teaspoon of engine oil down each pot to lessen the resistance that bit more

The bores were well coated before the head went back on. Thanks KP!

citronut wrote:get someone elss to start it up, then if it gose bang you can blame them

Are you volunteering Malcolm? Come to think of it, I'd be surprised if it doesn't go bang - or would it be rattle clunk, whoosh, pfft, boing, tinkle?

Old-Guy wrote:You might want to turn it over slowly and carefully by hand

This was done when the new cambelt went on

Old-Guy wrote:If you stripped the head, I hope you lubricated as you re-assembled.

I did. I coated the lobes, bearings, followers and all the valve components, thanks.

Post by **CitroJim** » 17 Dec 2008, 17:51

Come on Mike, go for it. We're all on tenterhooks here you know...

In fact, some of us are so on the edge of our seats, we're in danger of falling off

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 17 Dec 2008, 17:57

I would go along with disconnecting the wire to the stop solenoid & giving it a few turns over....I wouldn't mess on removing injectors etc...I'm sure it will be fine.

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Dec 2008, 20:50

Live dangerously Mike! You know you want to do it...

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 17 Dec 2008, 21:09

Go fo it Mike - Hope all goes well.

I've got to start mine up after cambelt change soon. Finally recieved aux belt so will fit that tomorrow, just need to refit simple bits, flush the cooling system and refill during which I will turn the key. Tis slightly nervewracking no?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 17 Dec 2008, 23:15

tis like one of them there game shows on ta box, were they take a break before anouncing the winner after a long pause,

go on Mike be a devil and fire her up you know you want to

whats the worst that can happen you will just have to stip it all down again, but this time you will know how it gose
regards malcolm

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 18 Dec 2008, 17:00

Apart from being incapacitated these last few days I'm going to delay adding the oil I bought and instead get some cheap tesco oil plus a flushing agent for the first run so don't hold your breath. I'll post the results of the first starting attempt in my blog as it's obviously attracting interest as well as getting off-topic

I don't have a garden, or a hose, at least not one that will reach around the block to where the car is so I won't be flushing the coolant system at this point but I will be refilling the LHM tank with hydrincarnage (or whatever it's called) and know I need to bleed the brakes in order until they run clear but are there any other procedures I should observe?

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 18 Dec 2008, 17:58

Mike, can we all pop over to watch the moment?