Series 3 Starting Series 3 diesel that has sat for a couple of months?

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Webley1991

Well-Known Member
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London
It is about two months since I last started my Series 3 diesel.

It has been stored inside a dry garage since it was last used.

Has this been long enough that I should squirt some oil into the cylinders before starting it?

I have read on here about people starting these after they have sat outside for years. Should I really be worried or not?

Thanks for any replies.
 
It should be fine and start up easily. If not try cracking the injector unions open a bit to help bleed it when you crank it over, be quick to nip them up if it fires or get a mate to help.
 
turn it over a few times [ this will put some fresh fuel in the pots ] activate heater plugs and you should get a quick start.
 
Kept in a garage, I can't see why you shouldn't just start it up. I'd only be concerned if it had stood for a couple of years outside. I guess there are people who work overseas or in the forces who return home regularly having left their vehicles unused for long periods.
 
When I first got mine before I had the space to store it at home it was kept in a three sided barn on a friends farm. It would sit for a few months until I had time to do some more work on it, at which point I would turn up with some jump leads start it up and drive the 20 miles home. Spend the weekend working on it drive it back and then leave it there for another few months. It did this for probably three years until I had done enough work on it that it was properly drive-able and I had space to keep it at home.
A few months is not long enough to worry about with an old mechanical diesel engine. It would be slightly different if it was a petrol, but you should be fine.
 
just put a battery on mine today started first time been stood 8 years then it tuck 6 liters of water the master clutch was empty so no peddle but it did sound good
 
Thanks for the replies.

I started it up today after turning it over a few times as tottot suggested. It started with no problem. Keeping the battery disconnected when it is stood seems to help keep a good charge in it.

I don't get out in it as often as I would like as it is stored about 10 miles (35 mins drive by London standards) from where I live.
 
I have never actually tried leaving it connected. As far as I know there aren't any problems with drainage in the electrics.

With leaving it connected, I am worried about something shorting. For example due to something like mice chewing through wiring.

If this caused a fire I worry about being held liable for damage to the other attached buildings and their contents. This is also why I don't leave it connected to a trickle charger.
 
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