Starting an old engine

[Mitch]

Anyone got any tips for starting an engine that has not been run in 18 months.

[Slow and wobbly]

Cant hurt to check first of all if it turns over by hand.
Second - Take plugs out and turn it over sans plugs with WD or similar down cylinders.
Third give it some fresh fuel and kick it in the guts.

Erm if it does start then add some carb cleaner to the fuel mix and run it with that to clear the varnished carbs - if your a pedant then dont bother with that and just strip and clean the carbs.

[ozx6r]

i did mine yesterday after 10-11 months and i changed plugs, new battery(thanks bruce) and then unload a heap of aerostart down the ram air tubes and it started and stopped,coughed and stluppered a few times i had to hold the can open to keep the engine running and after about 20secs and half a can she ran by her self

i read some wear the fuel in carbs goes shitty and it takes a bit to clear them, and some guys take carbs off and clean before trying!

[mike-s]

it helps when you know its an engine that's worked in the past (i.e. you were the last to run it & didnt buy it in an unrun state), if it is one your unsure of, just strip the bastard down and soak the carby jets, emulsion tubes and the like. A smart thing to have done in the first instance before storing is probably just drain all the fuel out / run it dry, that way you know your not goinig to get shit in there, you just have to contend with seals possibly drying up, which is possibly a better wory to have.