Abandoned Airplane Will It Start? 10 Years in the Dark

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For an engine that has been sitting, pull at least one plug per cylinder, squirt some oil in each cylinder, leave the plugs out, turn the engine over until there's oil pressure. Pretty hard on alot of components in the engine, with everything totally dry of oil, to just start it. Get some oil flowing with no compression loads on the bearings first. Also, the cam and lifters need some juice before firing it up too.

You know, I think this reveals something unique about aviation and pilots love of flying. These planes are everywhere, and the story is typically the same: old fella in denial about his mortality and hangs on to that hope of returning to the sky until he dies. Perhaps we need to change our attitude, by letting this happen we deprive of the next generation of pilots their opportunity to own a plane.

It’s honestly surprising that it started that quickly and ran that smooth. Good call on the compression test, just seeing it start and run it would have been easy to wright it off as a solid engine.

I used to fly 172:s and 152:s in my youth. Was a member of an aviation club here in Finland. Nowadays my former airfield EFHF, a historical place, has been closed down by the city of Helsinki to build apartments on the runways.😥 The 172 has been sold to some guys returning it to its previous life as an pontoon equipped seaplane and I believe also the 152 Acrobat was sold. I loved the 172 so much, it was like a flying cow….or imagine your grandma was an airplane…just as docile and trustworthy.❤️ The 152:s were so small, it was like dressing in an airplane. My grandmother’s brother was a fighter pilot flying the Brewster, the Finnish Airforce purchased some from the US. I’m not flying anymore, too expensive nowadays in my country, and not enough spare time anymore to make it possible. Maybe it will be possible again once I get old, who knows, I loved flying.

Am so glad there were no yokes in that plane. That crazy guy was so excited he could have taken off. 😊

I know what you mean about high wings and checking the fuel. I trained in 172s. I bought a Musketeer last January. One disadvantage of a low wing is that you have to walk around the wing, unless you want to crawl under it. That's more than made up for by the ease with which you can check the fuel. Edited to add: I left this comment right after I got to that part in the video. Near the start I was thinking, "Yeah, you could spend $100,000 to restore it, and have a $70,000 airplane." That was a total swag, and I was surprised to hear basically the same thing at the end.

Jimmy, It was such a thrill to see that engine start. Thanks for sharing the "ride".

ive always wanted to be a pilot, even just a light aircraft pilot. im learning SO MUCH from your videos thank you so much, yeah i just found my favourite youtuber you are hilarious aswell your awesome :)

This is my first time watching Jimmys World. He seems a likable guy, though when he showed us the cockpit, oh boy, I hope you enjoy a challenge, I'll check back in a few days. Amazing...got her started...nice!

Whoa, she’s alive. Love it. Know she didn’t work out but love the barn finds or crusty starts. Would be great to see one found like this in the air. I’m a lover of car barn finds, revivals, and restores. Be great to see more single piston revivals. Even though it fell through, favorite video.

I really enjoy watching Jimmy's videos! I took aviation mechanics/airframe/powerplant two year course at MacArthur Airport, Long Island, N.Y. in high school! I loved it!!! Went to work for Grumman Aircraft right after graduation! But left aviation mechanics and instead got into HVAC work. Eventually started my own business. But watching Jimmy's videos has spurred my desire for aircraft!!! Thanks Jimmy!!!!!

Great video, Jimmy. I share your enthusiasm for an old engine sparking into life. Mine are mostly motorcycle engines and I’d risk a spin out. Guess an old plane needs rather more care. I’d add to the comments that piston rings get stuck and open valves get rusty and don’t seat properly but expensive just to strip the heads. I’m stunned at the cost of cylinders. Plus the other work involved. I see liability not asset. Look forward to the next one!

Love your appreciation OF old planes and the fun of getting them flying again.

Good call on letting it go. I’ve worked on aircraft for about 20 years. As soon as you got that engine cowl open all I could see was money fly out the window. Not to mention all the gauges and avionics missing and the corrosion to boot. Yeah it’s definitely no where near worth what he’s asking for it.

year is 3021, deep space, an engineer starting his ship with a hammer tap

Wow! Goosebumps. N20504 was the first airplane I flew in as a kid. I could barely see over the dash in the right seat. My uncle owned this aircraft in the 90’s. He taught his kids how to fly in this plane. Pretty incredible coming across it in a YouTube video. Sad to see it in its current state… where is it currently located?

I bought a 1947 luscombe8a that sat for 19 years and I took my time and after a few months of going through everything and rebuilding the engine and getting inspections it flew. I fly it ever week multiple times a week I love that airplane. That little Cessna is not lost by any means but please take you’re time and be careful

After a few rebuilds I’ve learned the rule of thumb is there are TWO additional layers beneath the surface layer you are making the resto assessment on so double/triple costs and time.

It's nice to see a plane run again after so much time!