Congrats to both you and Desiree, both survivors

Big AL

First Mini drive in over a year and a half accomplished!
Only 20 minutes or so around the neighbourhood and a sprint for a couple of miles down the 4-lane but she'll do over 125 kph with some to spare. 

The SMILE is back!

Bonus: I spotted a classic Mini parked in a driveway in the neighbourhood! Will have to investigate....

How so? The engine was stone cold maybe 10-15 deg. C and the crank bearings without oil pressure would only experience compression pressures, not combustion pressures. The cylinder bores were lubed from above and I made sure it wasn't seized before attempting to crank.

Cranking for oil pressure with the plugs in means you may as well have just started it...

I left the plugs in to get preliminary oil pressure. As much a case of not knowing better as using the easy way to prevent it from starting. (Also in the back of my mind something about protecting ignition system.) the Maybe it cranked a little longer, but the oil pressure light did go out before I attempted starting, before and after oil change.

Thanks for the tip to remove plugs! Duly noted.

Why would you disconnect the coil ?

With the plugs out when you crank for oil pressure it isn't going to start anyway.

Early snow in 2015 followed by a year of treatment for breast cancer (the whole process) followed by a second winter. Lately we've been having heavy rains.
Little known fact: men can get breast cancer too - one in one hundred cases of breast cancer occurs in men.

Glad to hear Dan, hope your health is doing better.

dan.congrats?/ why so long?? later b cs

Good to hear she's back on the road sir Dan... Thumbs up !

https://youtu.be/I6Al8t9Fuoo

great to hear Dan. Now if our Ottawa weather will cooperate........

After hibernating for about 18 months, the Mini has been gently awakened. I checked her vital fluids, made sure the engine was not seized and then disconnected the coil to allow cranking to build up oil pressure. Then with the coil connected and considerable choke, she began to sputter to life. The oil squirted into the cylinders before sleep needed to be blown out, but once some warmth got into the engine, she settled down to a nice 900rpm idle. Then it was back into the garage for a nice drink of fresh 20W50 and filter.

No leaks!  Brakes feel good. Next step is to check tire pressures and condition and lube suspension points. And put the insurance on!

I got to drive a Mini today. Okay, maybe only about 20 feet but it has been a long 18 months.