12 years SORN

[Sam]

Remove the fuel pump fuse and centre ignition lead, and crank over on the starter.

Beter than that - take the plugs out and spin it over to build oil pressure - much less effort needed from the battery.

Brake lines shouldn't be rusted out unless it was left with old fluid in it that was full of water. 

Get it running, do the fluid changes and be prepared for a couple of breakdowns.

Might be worth changing the cambelt before you do too much - has the most potential to stop the whole shooting match dead in its tracks.

I thought they were non intrusive anyhow?

[AudiA8Quattro]

Remove the fuel pump fuse and centre ignition lead, and crank over on the starter.

Beter than that - take the plugs out and spin it over to build oil pressure - much less effort needed from the battery.

Brake lines shouldn't be rusted out unless it was left with old fluid in it that was full of water. 

Get it running, do the fluid changes and be prepared for a couple of breakdowns.

Might be worth changing the cambelt before you do too much - has the most potential to stop the whole shooting match dead in its tracks.

Good point about removing the plugs.
Would you recommend turning it over by hand first?

[Ben Lessani]

Would you recommend turning it over by hand first?

If you concerned about the engine being siezed, pop it in gear and give it a rock/push

[Sam]

Would you recommend turning it over by hand first?

If you concerned about the engine being siezed, pop it in gear and give it a rock/push

Or take a breaker bar to the cam pully bolt 

[Ben Lessani]

Tut tut, you're not supposed to turn the engine over via the cam pulley - you can cause the belt to snap/skip a tooth. Always turn the engine over via the crank itself (19mm IIRC).

[Sam]

Tut tut, you're not supposed to turn the engine over via the cam pulley - you can cause the belt to snap/skip a tooth. Always turn the engine over via the crank itself (19mm IIRC).

Crank pully was what I was on about but was looking at KR heads and cams on egay at the time. My bad and yes its an 19mm 

[Roverdose]

i have witnessed a mk2 8v, stood for 10 years. working battery robbed from a mates mk2 , plugged it in checked oil level, gallon of unleaded and badda boom, started on the button first time! Personally before driving it i'd do the cooling system, drain it, refill with the correct ratio of water / coolant 50/50. Then run it up to temperature. Soon as it hits 90 degrees C switch it off then change the oil and filter. I'd also maybe pull the sump off and check the oil pump filter isnt full of conjeeled sh!te. Engine flush and injector cleaner is a good shout and basicly just service it to buggery. It's worth getting a local specialist to look over it for mot. A well trained eye can spot things that others will miss and save you serious wonga! Don't go by the advert go by personal recomendation. if your in cornwall i can recomend ya somebody! Good luck!

[The Mighty Elvi]

Engine flush is not a good idea for older engines.  The carbon deposits and crud it removes could foul up the oilways etc..

[X4MGS]

Engine flush is not a good idea for older engines.  The carbon deposits and crud it removes could foul up the oilways etc..

I've also heard this too...

[twotwofour]

Engine flush is not a good idea for older engines.  The carbon deposits and crud it removes could foul up the oilways etc..

I have had a bad experience of this and would agree. £700 that engine flush cost