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[Andy H]

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release lever and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.

Fitted the new battery yesterday - wouldn't start.

Gave the battery a good charge overnight, refitted it today and finally got it started - (for the first time in 5 years).

There is something not quite right with the starter motor. Cranking was slower than it should be and my helper said that they saw sparks and some magic smoke - almost as if the starter wasn't bolted tightly to the engine.  Something to investigate before the MOT.

Once the engine was running I had to shunt it back & forth a few times before the rear brakes would let go. Brake discs look surprisingly good but tomorrow I will get the wheels off and have a closer look.

Spent the day cleaning & checking the thing (MK2 Ford Galaxy Diesel auto).
5 years under a tree had resulted in a mouldy interior. The cheap seat covers fitted by the last owner had grown a layer of fur, I tried cleaning them with a carpet cleaner and the vinyl surface peeled off. 7 seat covers are now in the bin. Seats look OK underneath.
All the seat belts were a bit surprised that I wanted to extend them  couldn't get one to extend at all so will have to pull the trim off to inspect it.
Undid all the wheel nuts half a turn, will get the wheels of tomorrow to check the brakes........

Had the MOT done today by my local garage.
Failed on cracked tyres, binding brakes and a front wiper blade. Advisories for surface rust on subframes and suspension arms.
The tester commented that it appeared to have been parked in a field for 10 years - cheek! - it was only 5 years 
I left it with them to fit budget tyres and free off the brakes and came home in a courtesy car

[STEMO]

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release lever and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.

Fitted the new battery yesterday - wouldn't start.

Gave the battery a good charge overnight, refitted it today and finally got it started - (for the first time in 5 years).

There is something not quite right with the starter motor. Cranking was slower than it should be and my helper said that they saw sparks and some magic smoke - almost as if the starter wasn't bolted tightly to the engine.  Something to investigate before the MOT.

Once the engine was running I had to shunt it back & forth a few times before the rear brakes would let go. Brake discs look surprisingly good but tomorrow I will get the wheels off and have a closer look.

Spent the day cleaning & checking the thing (MK2 Ford Galaxy Diesel auto).
5 years under a tree had resulted in a mouldy interior. The cheap seat covers fitted by the last owner had grown a layer of fur, I tried cleaning them with a carpet cleaner and the vinyl surface peeled off. 7 seat covers are now in the bin. Seats look OK underneath.
All the seat belts were a bit surprised that I wanted to extend them  couldn't get one to extend at all so will have to pull the trim off to inspect it.
Undid all the wheel nuts half a turn, will get the wheels of tomorrow to check the brakes........

Had the MOT done today by my local garage.
Failed on cracked tyres, binding brakes and a front wiper blade. Advisories for surface rust on subframes and suspension arms.
The tester commented that it appeared to have been parked in a field for 10 years - cheek! - it was only 5 years 
I left it with them to fit budget tyres and free off the brakes and came home in a courtesy car

I would say that's a good result