Author Topic: Turning the car over  (Read 2714 times)

Offline Craig

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Turning the car over
« on: 22 August 2020, 16:29 »
Hey guys.

Looking for some advice. My car can sometimes sit for months and months not turning a wheel. I was wanting to turn the engine over a few times using the starter motor only to let the oil move around before starting properly. For anyone have any suggestions how I go about it safely?

Much appreciated. Thanks.

Offline barrym381

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #1 on: 22 August 2020, 19:32 »
Hey guys.

Looking for some advice. My car can sometimes sit for months and months not turning a wheel. I was wanting to turn the engine over a few times using the starter motor only to let the oil move around before starting properly. For anyone have any suggestions how I go about it safely?

Much appreciated. Thanks.

If it’s a petrol car just unplug the coil packs

Offline Exonian

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #2 on: 22 August 2020, 22:22 »
The oil is very thin so I’d just fire it up normally once in a while and run the engine up to temperature.
That’ll help the aircon system seals too.
‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #3 on: 22 August 2020, 22:56 »
Do you not have 5mins every 3 weeks  to run it around the block?

If its a manual I'd be worried about the clutch plates seizing, and regardless of transmission I'd be concerned that the brakes don't bind. You need to move the car once in a while, not just worry about the engine turning over.
Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
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Offline Finglonga

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #4 on: 23 August 2020, 09:07 »
The oil is very thin so I’d just fire it up normally once in a while and run the engine up to temperature.
That’ll help the aircon system seals too.

Yep, but needs to be up to temperature for a while to get rid of condensation as that could cause more damage than good. It could also do with moving to get oil around the gearbox.

Offline DCmk3

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #5 on: 23 August 2020, 10:25 »
Hey guys.

Looking for some advice. My car can sometimes sit for months and months not turning a wheel. I was wanting to turn the engine over a few times using the starter motor only to let the oil move around before starting properly. For anyone have any suggestions how I go about it safely?

Much appreciated. Thanks.

If it’s a petrol car just unplug the coil packs

To be fair that wouldn't be advisable as you will then just dump fuel into the cylinders and create a borewash scenario as well as fill the oil with fuel as it then drains past the rings.

2014 Mk7 GTI - Littco L500

Offline dubber36

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #6 on: 23 August 2020, 19:35 »
My Mk2 is off the road for six months over winter. I start it, get it up to temperature and move it up and down the drive a couple of times a month. The other thing to consider is your tyres becoming mis-shapen. Adding an extra 10PSI will help them keep their shape, but leave a note on the dash to remind you before you next take it up the road.
Red Mk6 gone replaced with a white Mk7 which has gone too. Green Mk2 here to stay.

Offline Craig

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Re: Turning the car over
« Reply #7 on: 26 August 2020, 03:17 »
Thanks for all the comments guys. I was hoping if I could pull the fuse for say the fuel pump it would just let the car turn over a good few times. Then plug it in and let the car start.