Restarting the MR2 after extended hibernation/being off the road

[page3]

Hi All,

I was hoping to get some simple idiot-proof advice for restarting my MR2 after an extended period of hibernation. The car was last on the road in Feb 2018, and due to the house, other cars, work and having our first baby in May, I sadly missed the perfect summer for MR2 activity! Bad planning all round!

In order to justify keeping the car now we are three, I need to be seen to be using the MR2! I disconnected the battery in February, and have taken the opportunity to replace the radiator, foglights, and rust proof the front end. In order to refill the coolant, bleed and top up, I could do with the car running. The battery doesn't appear to hold much of a charge after 24 hours of trickle charging, so that may need replacing first.

This might sound obvious - do I need to reconnect the alarm to be able to move the car around? I was hoping that would be the final task once I refit the frunk and fittings after finishing the coolant refill and bleed (it's obviously easier with everything from the frunk out of the way). Am I likely to experience any alarm related problems when restarting?

Any other advice or checks after 9 months of not being used? It's been garaged, all the tyres have held air well, and it's been left in gear with chocks behind the wheels rather than with the handbrake on.

Best wishes,
Nick

[jvanzyl]

Can't advise on the alarm etc but the advice I was given and followed was to take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over LOTS it'll nuke your battery but it'll get the oil round the engine nicely.

Once that's done, put the plugs back in and fire it up, then clear the error codes.

[Joesson]

My 2 sits in our garage for 6 months over winter every year and has done so since purchase in 2011.
Like you I was concerned about many possible "problems".
The day after purchase it was serviced by Mr T and similarly for a further 3 years. I asked the Service Manager about what to do to store the car over winter, thinking about removing spark plugs and injecting Redex into the cylinders.
His answer, "Do nothing, it's a Toyota".

What did I do? The first winter I bought a spare set of wheels and tyres and let the car sit on those. The next year I sold the spare wheels ( unfortunately to a very transitory new " member" who I've not heard of since) bought a trolley jack and axle stands and left the car on the stands.
Last winter I over inflated the tyres and left the car on the ground.
The battery is left on charge. It is now on it's third battery in 16 years/ 65k..
Around a quarter of a tank of fuel is left in.
The wiper blades are lifted away from the screen.
It's covered up with old duvets.
In the spring I drain the old oil and replace with new oil and filter.
Each year it starts up first time.

Nevertheless jvanzyl's suggestion is well worth considering, noting the advice about the battery.

[Justin.D]

If it's just the alarm sounder then it'll be fine

[Carolyn]

Can't advise on the alarm etc but the advice I was given and followed was to take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over LOTS it'll nuke your battery but it'll get the oil round the engine nicely.

Once that's done, put the plugs back in and fire it up, then clear the error codes.

Good advice from John.  With the plugs out, it ain't really that hard on the battery either!!

[page3]

Thanks all - advice much appreciated! I have some new spark plugs to go in so sounds like a good plan of action.

I've managed to get about 8l of coolant back in, but now it's being held up in the expansion tank. Fluid has just appeared at both bleed taps (top of rad and bulkhead) with the hoses connected, so my next plan is to run the car for a bit after turning it over without 'plugs. Assuming I can get something out of the battery of course...

Yes Justin D. - it was the alarm sounder which I removed from the frunk.

Thanks Joesson - sounds like I'm being overly cautious. And my parking up method is similar to yours, save for the wheels and battery! (I meant to say, hope you had a great time in the US!)

[jvanzyl]

Can't advise on the alarm etc but the advice I was given and followed was to take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over LOTS it'll nuke your battery but it'll get the oil round the engine nicely.

Once that's done, put the plugs back in and fire it up, then clear the error codes.

Good advice from John.  With the plugs out, it ain't really that hard on the battery either!!

It was YOUR advice!! 🤣

[shnazzle]

Can't advise on the alarm etc but the advice I was given and followed was to take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over LOTS it'll nuke your battery but it'll get the oil round the engine nicely.

Once that's done, put the plugs back in and fire it up, then clear the error codes.

Good advice from John.  With the plugs out, it ain't really that hard on the battery either!!

It was YOUR advice!! [emoji1787]

Why did you think she said it was great advice? Hahahaha

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[paulj]

Slightly off topic for coming out of hibernation, but I wouldn't leave the oil change until then.  I prefer to do the oil change at the end of the season before my car is packed up for bed.  I reckon there is an outside chance that leaving it to stand with new oil is better than the used stuff from the summer!

[1979scotte]

Slightly off topic for coming out of hibernation, but I wouldn't leave the oil change until then.  I prefer to do the oil change at the end of the season before my car is packed up for bed.  I reckon there is an outside chance that leaving it to stand with new oil is better than the used stuff from the summer!

No evidence to support my opinion but to me you are just allowing brand new oil to degrade.

[Ardent]

.

[Joesson]

I'm guessing this is  @Ardent 's way of expressing his distaste of discussion concerning not using a 2.
Even worse in my case Jason cos I store it with hood UP! As I advocate keeping the hood under tension to keep it in shape when not in use.


When my 2 is in use of course the hood is DOWN .


PS for @page3 / Nick
The US trip went well thank you.
We chose one of the hottest days of the year ( didn't know it at the time) to walk each way across the Golden Gate Bridge. Surprisingly there are free toilet and drinking water fountains on the far side but NO commercial outlets, NO Coffee, NO food, these are only on the San Francisco side.
Only thing I would do differently is pay more for a sleeper compartment on a long distance (22 hours) train journey, as I understand now that they have private toilet facilities.
The public toilets are useable for the Male of the species (standing only, if you wear waders) but not acceptable for the ladies.

[Ardent]

I'm guessing this is  @Ardent 's way of expressing his distaste of discussion concerning not using a 2.
Even worse in my case Jason cos I store it with hood UP! As I advocate keeping the hood under tension to keep it in shape when not in use.

Hello Tony
Had typed something. Can not delete the post so just left the . a ? may have been better.

On the laying up front. If you're going to do it ( (:< > (:< > (:< > Then I agree, Hood up.
Anybody that copies and pastes that out context. Can expect a visit from men in suits and their internet connection sabotaged.   

[Joesson]

@Ardent, Hi Jason, we are totally in agreement about hood down.
My first ever experience of open top driving was when I collected my 2 from near Heathrow and drove it home to near Stratford on Avon. 100 top down miles on the motorway is not the best intro but it is the only way I have driven my 2 since ownership (other than when caught out in heavy rain).
Hood up is only allowed when the wheels aren't turning.

[Ardent]

Hood up is only allowed when the wheels aren't turning.

I like that  :notworthy:

[Joesson]

If I was in charge a lot of things would change

[1979scotte]

Hood up is only allowed when the wheels aren't turning.

I like that  :notworthy:

This is a man with experience.
Lots of experience.
Lots and lots of experience.
Lots and lots and lots of experience.
This man is blooming old.
Listen to him.