[jf308]

Purchased a GTV which has been in storage for nearly 10 years....and probably just parked versus planned hibernation. My only concern before I plunk down the remainder of the cash is if the engine is frozen/seized....
Is there a way to check this manually? Car obviously will not start, and somewhat fearful in trying to just connect a battery and try to turn it.

Will be scheduling a mechanic check ASAP but really don't want him to try to start it even though its been in a relatively dry climate.

Thanks. John
'83 Spider

 

[gigem75]

put it in 4th gear and try and move the car, that method is used for turning over motor to line up cams and TDC and other maintenace tasks. If it turns over then you can try and use the starter. It will probably turn over with the starter anyway but before I got to that point I'd have changed all the filters, etc. If a spica car definitly the fuel filters and the low fuel pressure light should go out when you turn the ignition on. If not that is your first concern.

 

[Andrew]

You can also put a big socket on the crank nut and try to turn it. 36mm for 1600, 38mm for 1750 or 2000.
Andrew

 

[aralfa8589]

Do you guys recommend a shot of light oil in the cylinders before turning the engine over?

 

[Andrew]

Can't hurt. I personally would not turn it over on the starter without having tried it by hand (socket or pushing car in gear) first.
"Seizure" means the engine locked itself up, usually from overheating. Many engines that have sat merely rust themselves together, rathter than seizing. Especially if left outside and/or the spark plug holes were open to the weather. Typically this is rust and crud on the liners, and rust between the rings and the liners.
One quick check is to remove the cam cover and see how the cams and tappets look. If they're all cruddy with rust, I wouldn't try to turn over.
Andrew

 

[jf308]

I am not overly concerned about a true Seized Engine, rather stuck rings/pistons from moisture over the years. Stored indoors, so should not be an outdoor horror story.

In past, I have used Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, Oil pan and even some in the gas for the first few hundred miles once awakened....frees up the rings, and improves the compression (at least it did with my 79 308 which was stored and only started monthly for five years prior).

This one is a bit worse, since its a carb car (Dellortos) and not touched for the entire storage time.

 

[BlpltGTV]

If it was stored with oil in the sump, and the plugs in, odds are you will be fine. A little MMO or WD40 in the cylinders wouldn't hurt. My car sat for 30 years and turned over with ease.

Will

 

[rockiemosley]

Well, for what it is worth, here is a story about a certain 1971 BMW 2002 that I bought in about 1996. The car had been sitting parked outdoors for at least 10 years. I was just finishing a bankruptcy and divorce so I was poor as dirt and needed wheels. Having had a 2002 previously I felt that I knew the cars mechanically pretty well so I should be able to fix what breaks, so I struck a deal for $200 bucks, no warranty expressed or implied. The motor appeared to be seized....I couldnt turn it with a socket on the crankshaft and the biggest breaker bar I could find. My plan was to transplant a certain 320i motor from another clunker that I had. So, as a final attempt to save the 2002 motor, I removed the spark plugs and squirted some Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders to hopefully free up the stuck piston rings. I let it sit a few days, then broke out the big guns....I chained it to the bumper of my buddy's Ford Aerostar work van and had him drag me while I rode in the BMW. I had him pull me up to about 20mph and then I released the clutch with the tranny in 4th gear. Well Im not sure how many attempts it took but after a while we were able to break the sucker free. Not an ideal situation but if you dont have any money, well anything is worth a try. Once we were able to get the motor turning....a few shots of quick start ether, after cleaning the carburator out....and she started up with a belch of smoke. What a great day that was. While the motor clearly wasnt quite 100 percent, it ran pretty well after some break-in, and I drove that car for another 4 years before selling it for $900.

 

[jf308]

I think I will go the trained Alfa mechanic route.... don't think the current owner would allow me to chain up the 'ol girl and try to kick start it behind a Ford F-150. LOL

Good story though.

J.

 

[Andrew]

As another anecdote, I bought a nasty 1750 GTV a few years ago that had not moved or been started in 15 years. Sat outside in coastal CA. Interior (windows left open) and body were pretty trashed. I peeked inside the cam cover, determined the engine was free and didn't look rusty inside, so I went ahead and prepped it, and it started and ran first try. Not great, but tolerable. Freed up the clutch linkage and brakes, and drove it. So you never know.
Andrew

 

[jf308]

I am very hopeful that this one, stored inside, just needs fresh fuel, a clean up to the carbs and with a little pre-emptive maintenance, start right up.

Plus new tires...I am sure the current ones are shot.

 

[new2alfas]

Brakes

Andrew,
Not to hijack this thread-but how did you free up the brakes on the 1750? Did you take the calipers off and had them rebuilt? For an Alfa that has sat for a long time, frozen brakes seem to be a common problem. Is there a thread on the BB that talks about how to fix frozen brakes?
Thanks!

 

[Andrew]

They were not that stuck. I think I bled them, worked the pistons in and out a bit with pressure outward, biggest Channelocks inward. If a piston's really stuck, not much you can do. Use penetrant, a little heat maybe (careful of the seals and fluid), time, and persistence (many repeated efforts). The disks will machine themselves down quickly if you get the pistons and pad working.
Andrew

 

[new2alfas]

Brakes

Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

 

[jcslocum]

My 74 sat for 6 years inside. I did the oil in the cylinders thing. Changed the oil and filter. Changed the fuel and fuel filters. Pulled the coil wire and cranked it until I saw oil pressure. Plugged the coil in and off she fired!

Good luck.

 

[jf308]

That is my hope. Drive now. Tune it up later.

 

[jcslocum]

You're not alone if your going to do a "rolling resto". These are some of us doing it this way

We have spica FI system so the electric fuel pump needed to be cleaned.