At 10:25 PM 5/13/01 -0700, Henry Jackson wrote:
>I have a possibility to get a Vanagon camper diesel that has been sitting
>in my friend's driveway for 5 years or so and I am looking for advice on
>how to start it up after such a long period of inactivity.  Changing the
>oil is a no brainer, but getting the oil circulating with no load on the
>engine to minimize metal damage is not immediately available to me.  If it
>were a gas motor I'd pull the plugs and crank the motor until I got
>pressure before a real startup, but how can I do the equivalent in a diesel?
>

Pull the wire the electric solenoid on the injection pump.  This is the
wire that actually shuts the thing off.  When pulled, it will think its
shut off, then you can spin it over a few times.  There may be another way,
but this is all I can think of this early on the east coast.
Sidenote:  Some guys I know with Cummins and Powerstroke diesels install a
button in the dash area to hold the pump inactive on starting until they
visually see oil pressure indicated, then they let the fuel go to it and
bust off.  Supposed to save wear and tear --
What concerns me is rust in the cylinders after the oil has drained down or
evaporated from the upper surfaces, as well acidified throughout.  Might be
good to dump some Marvel Mys Oil in there on initial starting attempts to
circulate and let it try to work on some of that gunk.  The stuff is
amazing for cleaning out engines.  If you're not familiar with its
properties, see archives or pmail further.  Besides, having the gunk in
there thinned down to where it will flow will be key in reducing metal
damage.  I would probably dump half a bottle or more in there on initial
bust off along with new oil, because much of the sediments simply won't
come out at first.  If you get it running, then you can drain it out and
flush it before taking it on a regular run.  Good luck.
Be SURE to check condition of the timing belt before attempting to
start.  Very likely going to have change now.  Are you familiar with diesels?
hk

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