Storing Myth

[V Mad]

I often see or hear of classic car owners who try to keep their car in good order over the winter by frequently starting the engine for short periods.

Its true thatnot using the car in the winteris bad for it unless it is properly 'mothballed'. But if you just start it for 5-10 minutes, moisture and fuel will start to accumulate in the oil, and this will accelerate wear. Water in the exhaust will also accumulate and add to the corrosion.

If you not using the car in the winter, but do not want to go through the full mothballing rigmarole, then please do not start the car unless you are going to take it for a good run, for at least 15 miles or 3/4 hour. Then you can also enjoy the drive whilst doing your car some good. Why not arrange a local meetingat the same time?

[Guest]

imported post

Very well said Chris, I've been trying to stop people putting the old girl away in the Winter for ages, this is another good reason not to !

Dried seals lead to steeringbrake and oil leaks, rusty brakes damage pads and shoes, dry engine/trans/diff start ups, flat bottomed tyres, damp electrics, unless you take precautions, it goes on and on. (like me) We have a couple in Northants who persist ,and the first half of the new season is wasted trying to get the poor things going properly- often accompanied by such expressions as "BLOODY STAGS !" It makes me whince. Martin.

[Stag Beetle]

imported post

I agree with all of the above, but did wince a bit today following the Gritter.

[al-stag]

imported post

I drive my Stag every week during the winter. I always think I have done enough when the temperature gauge is up to 40%. As soon as this weather clears will invite you all for a Chilterns run ending up at the Benson Thameside cafe one Sunday.

At the moment the snow is 16mm, its forecast to be 160cm :shock:so it wont be this Sunday

Al

[Andy Rundell]

imported post

al-stag wrote:

At the moment the snow is 16mm, its forecast to be 160cm

Wow :shock: , over 5ft of snow - must avoid your area tomorrow ! !

[Moraystag]

imported post

VMAD, I am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I work abroad and the car lies idle for normally 31 days at a time. Obviously I can't drive it during that time. What do you suggest I do as my wife will not take it out, and to be honest I really don't want her to.

I asked her to start it up yesterday, and had to speak her through how to operate a manual choke as she had never seen one on a car. She is used to seeing auto chokes only. The garage I keep it in is not heated and we have had sub zero tem for almost 3 x weeks. Do I just disconnect the battery and leave it till I get home??

Any advice would be helpfull??



Mike

[Stagdad]

imported post

Andy Rundell wrote:

al-stag wrote:

At the moment the snow is 16mm, its forecast to be 160cm

Wow :shock: , over 5ft of snow - must avoid your area tomorrow ! !

Old school,not like us youngsters Andy:P.Any way is a centimetre even a recognized measurement ?

Millimetres and metres is all we use in the building industry,why do schools teach centimetres?

Cheers Steve

[Stagdad]

imported post

Moraystag wrote:

VMAD, I am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I work abroad and the car lies idle for normally 31 days at a time. Obviously I can't drive it during that time. What do you suggest I do as my wife will not take it out, and to be honest I really don't want her to.

I asked her to start it up yesterday, and had to speak her through how to operate a manual choke as she had never seen one on a car. She is used to seeing auto chokes only. The garage I keep it in is not heated and we have had sub zero tem for almost 3 x weeks. Do I just disconnect the battery and leave it till I get home??

Any advice would be helpfull??



Mike

Mike


One thing you could do is get a trickle charger/conditioner and make up a lead to plug in through the cigar socket.

Cheers Steve

[V Mad]

imported post

Hi Mike. A month or sois not too long to leave your car provided your engine oil and antifreeze is up to spec and fresh. The battery should not be allowed to run down, so you could use one of these automatic battery conditioners, although it is not really necessaryprovided it is fully charged before going and then disconnected. It should survive a month OKif you recharge as soon asyou return.

As I said though I would advise strongly against regular starting of the engine in the garage. The first few minutes of cold running is among the most damaging conditions forany engine.

And I am sure your wife will be pleased not to have to keep doing that.

I hope that helps

[Moraystag]

imported post

Thank's Vmad I will pass this onto my good lady wife.



Mike

[StagnJag]

imported post

Stag Beetle wrote:

I agree with all of the above, but did wince a bit today following the Gritter.

Last weekend I uncovered the Stag late in the afternoon to remove the tinsel from the T bar (Left over from London Stag run Before Christmas). While the roof was down I couldn't resist the urge to not drive it, so hat and gloves on went out for a drive. 5 mins later it was snowing. I got some funny looks driving in fading daylight with the roof down and snow falling out of the sky.

am I mad?

Anyway, driving back home a gritter passed me and I got showered I haven't looked to see how much (if any) salt I have inside the car. :shock:.

I got back home and the temp gauge on my other car said th air temp was 0 degress C.

Rgds

Dave

[Guest]

imported post

Well done Dave - hero ! Top down with heater on and aviator keeping me toasty is lovely. There's a lady in her 70s inour village with a TR2, and I have never seen the roof up,leather helmet and aviator, we wave and often laugh out loud while the prols look on jealously - brilliant ! Martin.

[StagnJag]

imported post

I must admit, I was flipping freezing when I got back. The tips of my fingers were frozen despite the thermal gloves!

Still worth it though .

[peter f]

imported post

Amazing how you very rarely go out in the Stag and wish you hadn't bothered (breakdowns excluded), and always come back with a smile on your face.

I hardly ever put the soft top up unless it starts hammering down, and this time of year the missus and me look forward to donning the flying jackets, turning up the amazing heater and getting out for a spin and some fresh air- invigorating or what! May get a chance once the snow clears up a bit; but not keen on salting up the underside of the car.

Have fun!

Peter