Charging a battery

Danjamin1

A bit of background:

My sister owned a 05 Focus 1.4l but sold it to my brother about 4 years ago when she moved abroad. He didn't exactly keep it in pristine condition, i.e. he left it sit in the driveway untouched for 4 years.

He's now going about getting his licence so I said I'd help him out with getting the car up and running. I've just jumpstarted it but the battery isn't holding the charge when I disconnect the cables. I've left it connected for about a half hour with both engines turned on. Should it normally be holding some charge by now or would I need to leave it connected longer? I know it's probably not a simple answer as there's most likely a few things that could be affecting the battery and the charge but I'm no mechanic. Just wondering at what point I give in and try something different?

Atlantic Dawn

If untouched for 4 years it's gone, you will need to purchase a new one.

Danjamin1

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

If untouched for 4 years it's gone, you will need to purchase a new one.

Thought that might be the most likely solution alright. That's a pain. Thanks for the advice!

Raggaroo

If a battery is left idle for four years I would be very surprised if it held a charge, buy a new one.

Danjamin1

Raggaroo wrote: »

If a battery is left idle for four years I would be very surprised if it held a charge, buy a new one.

Yep, already on it. Thanks. Hopefully that's the worst of the issues with it. But I'd be surprised if it is.

YbFocus

Change the oil and a new set of plugs as a minimum before it is ran properly.
The oil would have degraded too!

Henry Ford III

Coolant and brake fluid too.

andycahill

I left a car sitting for a year before, It needed a new battery, also check the brake discs for exessive rust too, and I would recommend service

Danjamin1

Thanks all, great tips and advice. I'll be getting a full service on it, getting it to start is just the first step so I can get it to a garage!

Danjamin1

Got the new battery in it and it starts fine so at least that's all the problem was, I was afraid it might be something else. Next stop is the garage for a full service to get it roadworthy.

Atlantic Dawn

Yes the tyres are likely perished if it was sitting on them for that amount of time, get them checked out, sidewalls could be dangerously weak.

Danjamin1

Yeah the tyres are definitely in need of changing, they're cracked and worn. I need to figure out how to get it from the parking space to a tyre shop safely. I'm not sure if it's safe/legal to drive it even a short distance at a slow pace on the current tyres. They've obviously lost plenty of air but could inflating them potentially damage them further if they are already weakened?

Atlantic Dawn

Danjamin1 wrote: »

Yeah the tyres are definitely in need of changing, they're cracked and worn. I need to figure out how to get it from the parking space to a tyre shop safely. I'm not sure if it's safe/legal to drive it even a short distance at a slow pace on the current tyres. They've obviously lost plenty of air but could inflating them potentially damage them further if they are already weakened?

There's plenty of tyre fitters offer mobile tyre fitting, they will come to your house, call a few of them with the tyre size and they will give you prices.

Danjamin1

Just realised I should have posted this thread in the maintenance & repair forum, mods could you move it in please?

Alanstrainor

It's not DIY, so better off leaving it here I reckon.

Danjamin1

No problem, wasn't sure which category it should fall under. Thanks.

Danjamin1

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

There's plenty of tyre fitters offer mobile tyre fitting, they will come to your house, call a few of them with the tyre size and they will give you prices.

Only seen this post now, I completely missed it before. Any names or recommendations for mobile tyre fitters?