Bianca

[lancialulu]

SDDIV

All things being equal, (ie good spark/plugs/carb/fuel) I would think that amount of compression would start the car. I have a 40 year old "Atco" lawn mower with a kick start and has no compression (original villiers sidevalve engine). Anyway a bit of choke and some throttle and the old Atco is easily persauded into life. Even after non-use for 15 years....

Tim

[Huib]

In my experience a bad (burned) valve results in zero compression. In you case it seems to be sticking piston rings. Start the engine. If you wish use some of the flushing stuff in either oil or gas or both and hope for the best. It could also be deposit of lead replacement additives on the valves. These often disappear if you stop using them.

When the lead was banned I initially used additives and burnt valves on two engines. Since then I stopped using them and the engines run very well. If you wish I can post a picture of the valves from Claire's engine showing what the additives do.

Ed has a VERY GOOD point about Johnny boy. I have added a new forum as he suggested.

[gamma a.i.]

thank you all ; I hear you. (tu)
May I mention that initial 'key-point' #1 was to provide some early input about starting a fulvia motor (in fact, any motor) that hasn't burned fuel for a long period ?
I like where the thread has taken us; I hope that my input has achieved some + results.
As far as key point #2...that will be announced at some time in the nr ftre.

sgnd: flvia a.i. me

[shaun pond]

Hi Sam,

I can understand your concern about towing the car to start it. I've seen people damage bodywork with poorly applied tow ropes.

Is there a reason (e.g. starter not operational, clutch frozen, no battery?) why your father/Lancia awakening assistant wants to tow start it instead of starting it from the comfort of the garage? Or is he just looking for an early way to show off the Fulvia to the neighborhood?

Regards

[Ralph deMasi]

I've pulled pistons from cars where the rings were crudded into their slots real well and MIGHT have come out with dynamite. However since you are getting an increasing amount of compression it would seem that at least some of the rings are moving toward the cylinder wall. Starting her up will get the rings and pistons moving at different expansion rates and will probably shake the remaining rings loose as well as the compression gases working behind the rings to push them out as well. But if a ring is throughly stuck it might break as well.

If your compression gauge has a quick-fitting and allows you to connect a compressed air line you can pressurize that individual piston when its at TDC and then see if yor losing air through the crankcase (piston leaking), intake manifold (intake valve) or exhaust pipe.

I would be for getting a strong battery and starting her up in the garage. If you hear or see something you don't like you can shut her down quickly. That's alot harder to do when it's being towed.

Starting fluid is helpful when you're not sure of gas delivery.

[Sam Danenberger IV]

Ralph-

Thanks for the good suggestions, your thought process & conclusions are along the lines I was thinking of!!
I am still wary of the tow rope!
Will keep the forum updated if we get her to fire up!
Thanks to all.

Sam