ArtistsRifles Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Went over to Yeldham to day to put some new Czech cam-nets in the OT and start the engine, warm her up and give her a run to work the suspension up. Climbed in, flicked the main isolator on, checked the temp gauge to make sure we were over the limit for needing the cold start and hit the oil prime switch. Although pressure came up readily enough something did not sound right and with a sinking heart I hit the start button. Sure enough the starter just clunked - batteries were too low to spin her over. Just about to start turning the air blue when I remember the air start - reached down behind me and turned the storage tanks valve to "ON" - pressure gauge crept up - and stopped at 25 psi. Heart sank again as - by the book this was too low but I thought what the hell and hit the air start button. One pop and bang later 19 litres of quad valve diesel was happily rumbling away beside me!! Quite impressed considering she hasn't been run since last August and it save me having to risk a hernia lifting the two massive batteries out to charge them. Took her out of the hanger threading her through all the Routemasters and had a quick work out in the car park before putting her back to bed. Not a bad days work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Nice one Neil - glad you've had a good day for a change ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 So in real emergencies reach for the Heinz!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharky Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 glad its gone well for you i been hangin upside down in ot64 all week tryin to get the think out of reverse .the air system for the gears was clogged to high heaven with gunge but a few pints of blood to the brain and some sore knuckles i finally (after bypassing the airline antifreeze system ) got pressure to both air tanks and the beast was finally heading in a forward direction . you gotta love this russian kit Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastblock Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Good stuff! I didn't know they had air start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berna2vm Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 The things that they built for the military are very well designed and engineered .:-) Unlike the Moskvich and Lada:-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Went over to Yeldham to day to put some new Czech cam-nets in the OT and start the engine, warm her up and give her a run to work the suspension up. batteries were too low to spin her over.Just about to start turning the air blue when I remember the air start - reached down behind me and turned the storage tanks valve to "ON" - pressure gauge crept up - and stopped at 25 psi. I take it that when you use the air start you then have to manully close the valve so the system will repressurise for the next use or is it automatically returned to shut off? Is it possible to install an externial air connection to the air start system to allow you to recharge the air system from a portable air tank as they usually will hold 100 psi or more in a 5 gallon tank I think ? and would be easier than dealing with the batteries , Of course I realise if you were able to run the ot90 more often you wouldnt need to do anything . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Went over to Yeldham to day to put some new Czech cam-nets in the OT and start the engine, warm her up and give her a run to work the suspension up. batteries were too low to spin her over.Just about to start turning the air blue when I remember the air start - reached down behind me and turned the storage tanks valve to "ON" - pressure gauge crept up - and stopped at 25 psi. I take it that when you use the air start you then have to manully close the valve so the system will repressurise for the next use or is it automatically returned to shut off? Is it possible to install an externial air connection to the air start system to allow you to recharge the air system from a portable air tank as they usually will hold 100 psi or more in a 5 gallon tank I think ? and would be easier than dealing with the batteries , Of course I realise if you were able to run the ot90 more often you wouldnt need to do anything . No - it's a lot simpler than that - there is a compressor on the engine which feeds an air flask behind the drivers seat and is also used to operate the swim vane and snorkel. When the vehicle is finished with for however long the valve on the air flask is FIRMLY closed. When ready to restart the flask valve is reopened thus re-pressurizing the system and the air start button can be used after the electric oil pump has floated the crankshaft. Currently there is no way - that I know of - of using an external source to re-pressurize the flask/system. There is the Soviet equivalent of an inter-start connector socket in the rear of the vehicle - but thus far I've never seen the equivalent lead. and to use it would requires a similarly equipped vehicle to act as the battery master - every other vehicle in the storage hangar is a London bus!! so highly unlikey to be able to act as the master ! :laugh: And yes - if I could get to her more often to run her up life would be easier - coming up on 3 years without work right now though and funds are tight. However I have an iron in the fire and will know more on that after Monday - if it comes off I should be able to earn about £1100/month for working Tues, Weds & Thurs only!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 [And yes - if I could get to her more often to run her up life would be easier - coming up on 3 years without work right now though and funds are tight. However I have an iron in the fire and will know more on that after Monday - if it comes off I should be able to earn about £1100/month for working Tues, Weds & Thurs only!!![/quote] Good luck with the Potential Job Neil. It's about time you were gainfully employed again! Small trade off for Bad health, BUT..... Nice if you do get work, it's been a rough time for you I know. :embarrassed: Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Cheers Mike!! I'd forgotten how much fun it is to drive the old girl so got a good reminder yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Cheers Mike!! I'd forgotten how much fun it is to drive the old girl so got a good reminder yesterday. Ahh......Nostalgia! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 For me! Pure panic on the part of the three Porsche owners who pulled onto the area I was nipping around on! :-) I suppose to be fair to them - when visiting the local Porsche specialist the last thing anyone would expect to encounter is a Warsaw Pact IFV heading towards you!! :cool2: :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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