Mondeo in storage for approx 18 mths - what do I need to do to get it up and running?

If its just 18 months I wouldn't worry too much - I've left motorbikes longer than that. Charge the battery and give it a go!

Petrol does go stale after a while, but its probably fine.

I'd change the oil fairly soon, and probably the brake fluid. And when I put it in for an MOT I'd ask the tester to pay particular attention to the brake hoses, just to be safe.

Other things to look for: The clutch might have seized, as might the brakes. And the tyres might have flat spotted.

First check there is oil in the engine. I would recommend putting a couple of gallons of fresh petrol in the fuel tank to freshen up what is still in there, as petrol tends to go off after a few months. There is plenty of filtration in the system so no junk will get through to the engine. As far as I know all mondeos are electric fuel pump, so turn the ignition on and the fuel pump should run for a few seconds and stop, turn off and back on again to run some more fuel through, repeat a few times and you will then have some fresh-ish fuel at the engine. Then start it up. It may well clatter for a short time till the oil gets round and pumps up the hydraulic lifters.

mrcheerful

Thanks for those suggestions. I know this sounds really dumb but are there any pictures or a website which shows where the oil is that has to be changed (and also brake fluid)? Because I've never done this before.

Will do that, thanks for the suggestion.

If that happens is there a simple solution or is it a job for a specialist?

OK I've run a google search for "flat spotted." tire but am really none the wiser what that is. So if anyone could explain what this means I'd be grateful.

Thanks for your help!

Where would I look to check that out? Any link to a Mondeo engine diagram online etc. would be great.

OK, will do that as a precaution.

Well that's a relief to know!

Thanks again for your help!

If you leave a car standing for a length of time the tyres tend to retain the flatness they get on the bottom from standing on flat ground. This puts the tyre out of balance and you'll get a vibration as you travel.

Rob Graham

The message from Richard Salters contains these words:

No. However, petrol contains a fair bit of dissolved butane and other very volatile fractions without which some engines really struggle to get started.

Try it - if it works, fine, if not then you may need to drain and refil with fresh.

As for sediment - that's what fuel filters are for.

If you don;t even know where to change the oil then you don;t want to be touching the brakes.

In your case, pay someone.

Oh dear.

Not meaning to be nasty but if I were you I'd find a mechanic to do it for you.

Richard Salters ( snipped-for-privacy@hereplease.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Haynes manual. Or point'n'pay.

Indeed, since they're all fuel injected (assuming petrol)

Fair enough, I think you're probably right :) Though I was working under the impression that "you have to start somewhere".

Ok, that's fair enough. But can I ask you (and others): how did you get started? i.e. what would be the best way for me to learn to do these things for myself?

I also forgot to add that at least if I even have a rough idea of what's where, etc. then I'm less likely to be taken for a ride by a disreputable outfit. So that's also part of my motivation for learning more about how to do these things.

Thanks for the first suggestion. Done a google on it. Will buy that tomorrow as a start. Hope it helps me avoid the latter suggestion ;)

The message from Richard Salters contains these words:

I started by taking the lawn mower apart when I was five[1], progressed to a motorbike then cars. Never more than about £50 a pop - that way if it goes horribly wrong you ani't lost too much.

[1] But not, I should point out, putting it back together until Dad came along and helped.

Heh, you still got all your fingers intact? :)

I'm actually pretty much like that in other aspects of life: the comp I'm using now was completely built from the ground up.

Unfortunately the problem is that if you make a mistake while assembling a motherboard and its components the worst that usually happens is a Blue Scren of Death. Whereas making a mistake with a car that you're going to be using on a M-way can result in a REAL Screen of Death.

In short, there has to be a better way for a fully grown adult to learn "cars". I'd like to be able to repair my car (if humanly possible) if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

Yellow plastic circle at the front of the engine, that's the dipstick handle. Pull it out and the oil should be in between the 2 marks (on a Mondeo the difference between the two marks is just under a litre). Pour oil in the filler cap on top of the engine (it has a little picture of an oilcan on it)

Don't overfill, it's easier to put a bit more in that drain some out.

Fantastic! That's the kind of answer I was hoping to get all along - something pretty simple and easy to follow. Judging by the previous responses I was beginning to worry it was a dreadfully complicated business (which I'm sure it can be).

Still, I won't be messing about with the brake fluid (whatever that is) until I really know what I'm doing. But I *do* think I can handle the instructions above which seem to be easy enough to follow (famous last words).

Thanks for your help!

In message , mrcheerful .

Assuming it has them.

Plugs out, about a tablespoon of fresh oil into each. Disable the ignition system and remove the connections to the fuel injectors.

Add about 10litres of fresh petrol (unleaded goes off really quickly)

With a properly charged battery, spin the engine over on the starter until you have oil pressure (light goes out)- this might take 20-30seconds.

Re install new plugs (unless they are definately fresh) gapped to 1.0mm. Re-connect the injectors and it should fire up almost straight away.

I would then check carefully all the brake components, especially the rear drums, and check for seizure. Whilst they're off, check the tyres for flat spotting and perishing. You may find they have gone out of round anyway, when you drive the car.

Clutch may be stuck but it'll probably free quite easily.

Tim..