Hello from a Newbie with a Project

Friend on standby for hooking up power.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429437698.693747.jpg

Although tempting, didn't try to start just turned ignition on. 1st fix, tighten jubilee clip on engine fuel line that was peeing petrol everywhere! At least I know one of the fuel pumps is working.

All present and correct I think?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429438047.133979.jpg

Offloading by winch. Slowly does it.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429438136.560485.jpg

Her new home. Can't wait to get a proper look over her, hopefully this week.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429438263.028461.jpg

Glad to find this was actually under here. I realised that I never actually checked!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429438399.061021.jpg

Well it looks all there which is a great start :0). From the engine (oil breather system) you can tell its manufactured in '88 ('89 model year on is different). Fagix wheels are a bonus - although the sizes are similar if not the same as standard (meaning tyres are a pain for the back) they were an expensive option that Radbourne offered from the dealer so nice period modification ( they love them in France too so if you don't like them , judicious of e-bay should yield enough Wonga to refurb a standard set or buy some AZEVS). First GTA I ever drove was a Radbourne demonstrator in light metallic blue with those wheels on - 25 years ago!

Cheers Tony. From memory, the dials are orange so you're spot on with dates. I like the Fagix wheels (except the slightly dubious name!). Just had 5 spare minutes with a bucket of water, this side looks ok......

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429464594.317049.jpg

Couple of small few mm bubbles in the a post and this strange blemish under the top coat of the offside rear wheel arch. Not familiar with this material but what's the deal with this? ( hope the photo shows up clearly).

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429464872.385069.jpg

[stephendell]

The little bubbles are very common/normal and most cars have them somewhere unless they've been resprayed.

The rear quarter is probably just a tiny chip in the laquer and something has got underneath. Can happen when jet washing.

Ok, so, I was a little impatient today to try the engine. Checked the oil level, all looked good. Hooked up a battery turned ignition on and made sure there were no further petrol leaks.. all good. Unhooked the main ecu connector between the rear seats to make sure there was no possibility of a start and then cranked the engine in very short bursts. All sounded good so continued until I saw the oil pressure gauge (working!) begin to rise.... excellent. Cranked the engine a few more times to allow a good flow of oil to places it may not have been for some time and then re-connected the ecu harness..... Drum roll please.... crank crank crank, splutter splutter splutter.... we have ignition! Excellent.

Of course, there are a few issues.
- The throttle cable from the pedal to the engine is not moving freely, so once the pedal is pressed, the throttle sticks wide open!! luckily i was quick on the key to stop any high revs!
- The engine is hard to start, but can settle to a decent idle. All sounds OK too. Oil pressure reads 3-4 bar too. I noticed though that as soon as the throttle micro switch for idle position was depressed , the engine would stall.
- Engine would rev ok, but if left idling, would splutter after about 20 seconds then die.

Next action for me is to check out the condition of the distributor cap and rotor, clean all the connections on sensors and then try again. Some questions if you don't mind?

1 - What's the easiest way of freeing up the throttle cable. Does it run underneath the car? Are replacements available?

2 - What does the micro switch for throttle in idle position actually do?

3- I noticed that there is no sign of coolant in the expansion tank. What's the procedure for filling these cars with coolant? I couldn't see another obvious fill location. I take it the expansion tank should always have coolant in?

I daren't take a close look underneath yet as it might put me off getting her running....

Cheers

[BIG_MVS]

I had the same issue with the throttle once and it turned out to be snagged at the peddle end(take the carpet out and then remove the cover - it was full of hair and old stones/grit mine). Greased/freed it off and it was fine after that. Could be the other end mind but worth a look.

Expansion tank should be about half full, all the alpines I have come across that have been laid up for a while have had no coolant so it's no surprise that it's leaked/seaped away somewhere.

Thanks, will check that 1st. So fill coolant via expansion bottle?

just realised, before chasing issues, hadn't seen a working fuel gauge anywhere. Opened tank and this is what I saw.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429542999.930817.jpg

Looks pretty empty! Hopefully explains the stalling problem

[BIG_MVS]

Yes fill coolant via expansion tank.

The fuel tank has a step in it so there could be some diagonally away toward the passenger side from where you are looking. Always worth draining the tank and putting fresh fuel in as part of the re-commision. There are 2 small fuell pipes on the underside of the tank you can remove to drain. Access is via a plastic panel underneath if it's still there.

Don't forget use type D coolant from Renault. Should drain any old stuff out and refill after a good flush though.