Hello all

[hirofairlane]

Hi everyone! Total newbie here from Spain.

This R4 van came to me after a couple of pretty wild twists of fate. I suddenly got a WhatsApp text at 11 PM asking if I wanted to pick it up... the very next morning! And the car was 600 km away from my home! It was a crazy dash!

I’m about to start the restoration. I haven't even dared to try starting it yet, and I’m completely lost on where to begin!

I’ve already bought the first round of basic supplies: oil, spark plugs, and belts. My intention is to at least try to do an oil and spark plug change before attempting anything else.

However, considering the 25 years the van has been abandoned, I'm also seriously thinking about whether I should check the gasoline in the tank first, and thoroughly inspect the fuel lines for rust or any other gunk/issues before trying to crank the engine.

Any and all tips are welcome, especially regarding the fuel system! Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy McGhee]

Great story, and a lovely find!
It'd be worth taking the spark plugs out (be gentle - they can be reluctant to come out, and it's easy to damage the threads) and checking to see whether the engine turns freely.
The fuel system (tank, lines, pump, carburettor) is likely to have rust/gunk in it - if you drain the tank, it's best to siphon the fuel out (the drain plugs often seize solid, and are easily broken). Even if the tank is rusty inside, you might be able to save it using one of the products that line the inside of the tank. But even if you need a 'new' tank, you'll be able to find one easily in Spain. The same goes for any other parts - much easier in the EU than the UK.....
Maybe you already know this company: https://piezasautosclasicos.com/renault
Be methodical, take your time, and use a lot of penetrating oil. These vans are wonderful vehicles - good luck with it!
It'd be great to see more photos of it.

 

[laxeian]

Before you go ahead with getting it back on the road here in Spain do you have all the paperwork for van?, ie 25 years ago was it just parked, (part of estate etc) without the vehicle being equivalent of SORN, if not SORN’ed when you come to register you might find yourself with a large back payment of road tax, it all falls on new owner, this is why there are quite a good few of very restorable older sat 4s on the sites here for what looks like bargain prices, advertised for pieces, the cost to get road going paperwork wise (excluding parts ) can be prohibitive to the economics. Check the registration costs 1st,also if you will have to get a pre ITV inspection ( if you have to register as historic,€450 8 years ago), also remember now in Spain to get classic insurance on a car over 20 years old (which is the only form of policy for car) you need to have either yourself or partner holding a ‘normal’ insurance policy on another Spanish registered newer car to get classic insurance. To get an abandoned vehicle back on the road here is getting more like trying to do the limbo whilst gyrating a hula hoop drinking a Margarita, possible with practice, but bloody frustrating if its your 1st go paperwork wise, as said leads to a lot just getting parted out.

 

[hirofairlane]

Thanks a lot for thé replies. ,

Laxeian the situation you describe is exactly what happened to me with one motorbike I restored some years ago, I think now this depts are charged immediately to the owner even removing the funds from the owner's bank account.

But fortunately this is not a problem for the R4, the car is legally out of road, but the process and paperwork is relatively straightforward, the biggest hassle is to pass the ITV moving the car with a truck prior the new papers would be created to be on-road again.