Thread: 1st start of reco'd engine

Fill the engine oil up to the correct level. Pull the glow plugs out and disconnect the fuel cut off solenoid. Then crank the engine with the starter and once the oil light goes out, crank it for another few seconds. If you feel the need, a squirt of WD down the glow plug holes.

Two methods to help lubricate bearings first off:

Fill the oil filter to the brim a few times pausing between fills to make it as full as possible, then install it, before starting.

Remove the oil pressure switch temporarily and use a small hand pump to put 1/2 to 1 litre of oil direct into the oil galleries. You need a brass fitting to screw into the switch hole and clamp the pump hose onto it.

Originally Posted by Landie333

Fill the engine oil up to the correct level. Pull the glow plugs out and disconnect the fuel cut off solenoid. Then crank the engine with the starter and once the oil light goes out, crank it for another few seconds. If you feel the need, a squirt of WD down the glow plug holes.

close enough..

pull the fuel cut solenoid

I pull the glow plugs, trickle about 100ml of very light oil down the glow plug holes, turn the engine by hand at least 2 full turns of the crank, wind it on the starter with the fuel cut solenoid pulled until the oil light goes out.

replace the glow plugs the fuel solenoid and fire it up, check the functionality of the low coolant alarm as you finish the intial bleed of the cooling system and then take it for a drive, get a load on it and get it up to temp.



you did fit a low coolant alarm right?

Thanks for the replies guys.
Will pass on to mechanic.

To Blknght , Yes there is a coolant alarm fitted.

cheers

In the really 'Olden Days' of new-fangled flying machines, (some) aero engines had a hand-priming pump for the oil system.

Logical on a radial, doubly so with a rotary (Sopwith Camel) where the whole crankcase/prop rotated, with all the bearing stresses etc...

Another white-haired AULRO member reminded me that in the past it was possible to buy an aftermarket electric oil (pre start-up) pump, - for the car fanatic who had 'everything'...

I still think it makes sense for us dinosaurs who expect 300+K 'wear-free' kilometres from our pampered engines.

Update;
The flex plate was the cause of the horrible noises that emenated from underneath.So a new one was ordered and fitted.

What would be the cause of the flex plate cracking? (300tdi auto)


cheers

Hi guys,
Well finally got the beast back and drove it home.It actually made it up my very small incline without going back to 60(from 80).. yippee

I have noticed that when I brake the pedal is alot lower down than what it used to be.Is it just a simple case of bleeding the brakes to get the proper pressure back in the system or is it something else.
Thanks guys.

cheers

Another problem I found is the coolant level in the expansion tank is 3/4 full.
Have only run down to the shops and back so far(roughly 13k's each way).
The heater is wonderfully warm. (better than my 200tdi grr lol)
Pretty sure the mechanic filled it to the brim.grr

Will drain some when I put the new bleed pipe on.

Question:

How can I make sure that all the air is out of the system without having to drain and refill it.

Thanks

cheers