Putting the Stag away for the winter

[robbo]

Hi guys.
What's the done thing when putting the Stag to bed for the winter. I hope to keep driving mine over the winter on dry days. Oil is it best to leave what's in and put fresh in the spring or change it. I know the battery will need a charge now and again. I will change the coolant before the cold weather gets here. Any other tips much appreciated as this will be my first winter with the Stag.
Cheers Rob.

[jleyton]

Don't put it away, drive it as much as you can

Think about getting something like an Oxford battery conditioner - they're much better than charging it now and again.

Cheers

Julian

[robbo]

That's what I intend to do Julian. I was just wondering about the oil it's done around 2500 miles since the last change. Better to leave until the spring? Seems a bit of a wast to change it now then again in the spring.
Rob

[Doug]

The oil will be fine, change it in the spring.
Isolate the fuel pump via the inertia switch, disconnect the coil then turn it over every couple of weeks to save the valve springs being in the same position all winter. Hope you're keeping it indoors.

[robbo]

Sure am Doug. The stag will be in a Clarke instant garage so should be nice and dry over the winter.
Rob.

[Rubce]

Keep driving it! RWD in the snow is ace fun

Bruce

[GDPR]

Definitely vouch for that! The Stag on an auto isnt ideal, but my Vitesse was a real hoot - except on that day in a dead flat carpark covered in glass smooth sheet ice.... I struggled walking to the car, then just span the wheels aimlessly without moving - to be fair, only 4wd cars could even make any movement, and none got out of the carpark.... had to wait 3 hours for the council to free us.with salt and sand..

[Stagsongas]

That's what I intend to do Julian. I was just wondering about the oil it's done around 2500 miles since the last change. Better to leave until the spring? Seems a bit of a wast to change it now then again in the spring.
Rob

Rob,

I would change the oil before, rather than after.

Petrol combustion produces corrosive acids which end up mixed in with the oil. They can do quite a lot of damage at a microscopic, and sometimes not-so-microscopic level. If you plan to change the oil in the spring, that will give those acids more time to do their mischief, but if you change it now they won't be able to. There is no cost difference between now and spring, so that would make the decison for me.

Regards

Steve

[Doug]

Interesting point. I'll take heed of that.
That's what I like about these forums, an endless source of information.

[confrench]

A high dose of UCL motion lotion,run through the mill helps stop the valves seizeing in the guides.No need should you have phoshor bronze guides

[Derek Hicks]

drive it all year round.

A high dose of UCL motion lotion,run through the mill helps stop the valves seizeing in the guides.No need should you have phoshor bronze guides

Rob .Derek here.I will drive my car all round the year .That is what it is 4.My car won this years mod class at N/D Concours.I love driving my stag .Could not leave it in the garage 4 the winter .Derek Hicks

[robbo]

Hi Derek hope you are well. To be honest I hope to use mine through the winter weather permitting. I was just wondering what other owners did to their stags for winter storage.
Cheers Rob.

[Essex Stag]

My advice use the car all through the winter . If the roads are dry, and forecast good and no salt residue I always use both my classics all through the winter for my sake and the cars. I do not consider leaving a car stood up for several months does it good . If you drive them at least every ten days once a week if possible, they keep all the parts lubricated all the electrics warm up and it gets the car free from condensation . The Stag has one of the best heaters on any classic I have come across so another reason to use it . Come the end of September I will be putting the hard top on , are there any tips on stowing the soft top for long periods. My PO told me to fold the rear window gently and place a towel in it before stowing is this a good idea? I think if you are going to store the Stag over winter the fuel in the tank may not be at its best after four or five months standing so either drain it or store on a low tank and fill right up with new in the spring
Derek

[jleyton]

Come the end of September I will be putting the hard top on , are there any tips on stowing the soft top for long periods. My PO told me to fold the rear window gently and place a towel in it before stowing is this a good idea?
Derek

If you are going to stow your hood folded then the towel idea is a good one. However I would STRONGLY advise unzipping the rear window and very carefully letting it drop down vertically in front of the folded hood material, so it is stored virtually flat and uncreased.

I always unzip my window, even if I am only putting the hood down for a short time and I reckon it will help preserve the hood.

Cheers

Julian

[Stagsongas]

My car will be used on dry, bright days all through Winter. This stops thinsg seizing, sticking, blows off any damp and generally keeps its blood flowing.

As for the hood, It's already clear that I treat the Stag in a totally different way. With the XKR I parked it on the drive and the hood was always up, unless lowered. The Stag is always parked inside with the hood down. It would be better to park it with the hood up to keep the hood stretched, although still indoors.

Regards

Steve