Car Storage ...

I'd say every other week or weekly but not sure if it's good to let it run at idle for a while (hour or so??), also it might be worthwhile investing in a trickle charge gizmo (about £20 from halfords!) which you can plug the battery into a power supply to stop the battery going flat as I doubt idling the engine will charge the battery (a good run in the car should do that).Also beware of the petrol going off if you leave it too long. HTH. L

Thanks - ever other week is a lot more often than I have been doing ...

Sadly I can't trickle charge it, as the garage isn't part of the house, and hence doesn't have elecricity (and there's no way I can lay cables).

The other thing that now concerns me ... is the petrol 'going off'. Does this happen with LRP fuel? I've heard of this happening with unleaded ... but wasn't sure if this was the case with LRP. If so, how long would fuel take to 'go off'?

I'd love to get the car back on the road, but it's just not financially possible at the mo :(

Steve

I would remove plugs and squirt oil down the bores. Replace plugs loosley. Turn engine over one or two revs once per month with plugs out. Dont spin the motor. By hand is good. Keep fuel tank full to avoid rusting of it but yes fuel does go off. 12 months means drain the tank. I would mix it a bit at a time with the new fuel rather than waste it. If you start it you need to run until hot and leave to run for an hour to dissipate moisture. Just getting up to temp and switching off is no good. Remove battery and store on bench. Trickle charge is a good idea. Good luck

Don't forget at the same time to drop the handbrake off, and ease the car backwards and forwards a few feet using first and reverse to keep the clutch and handbrake from sticking. Dave '78 MGBGT

Great advice - thanks guys :)

Steve Bristol, UK

That's why I said I wasn't sure .... I had/have the feeling that a good road run is what's needed but didn't want to say, plus the guys car is off the road. I know that it's not good to let the battery go flat as some types won't recharge if they go totally flat .... had that happen to me. L

Need long run to be effective otherwise avoid running monthly. As it wont be taxed or insured this is impractical. Remember it can still be stolen! Look for insurance with 0 miles per annum from specialist insurer such as adrian flux.

Lead acid batteries soon f*ok if left flat . Store fully charged and trickle once per week or use low amp tricle device (opposite of Nicads which should be stored flattened-electrcally that is!)

Just adding a bit more

You should take a car on a run its not only the engine but all moving parts need to have the lubricants mixed around. Tyres get flat spots sitting as well, as wheel bearings etc etc.

I forgot about the tyres. Very true. Depends how long its gonna stand for.

Warfarin cures

I think some other brokers do it too

Hmmmmm ... lots of things for me to be thinking about. I hope to be able to insure/tax/MOT it soon (possibility of new job on the horizon!), so hopefully it shouldn't need to stay in the garage for too much longer. Whatever happens, I hope to get this car back on the road by next summer.

It's going to need an MOT anyway, but - the more I can do to stop things deteriorating, the better.

From what people have said, I gather that regular starting is not such a good thing - and neither is leaving it to stand for months on end. So, as I can't take her on the road - I'll probably take the average of everyones input ... and let the engine run up to temperature every couple of months. The drive way isn't particularly long - but should be good enough to make sure the brakes haven't locked up. Plus, I just love the sound of the engine ... and I know turning the engine over will give me continued enthusiasm to get her back on the road :)

Thanks for all your comments - it's muchly appreciated :)

Regards,

Steve Bristol, UK

Just one more consideration. The anticorrosive in the antifreeze need to be circulated reasonably often, say monthly. If they are not, they become depleted in the very areas that corrosion is occurring and protection is lost. Most noticeably the thermostat housing will corrode rather badly!

Cheers Keith Once from Bristol UK now from Aus

One other thing .... about car insurance .... ask about limited mileage as it helps reduce the bill. L

Late post: Also remember to lift the car so it does not rest on its wheels. (But it should rest on suspension). The tyres will go sqare after a while and you´ll have to replace them. I found 8 months is ok but 18 months is not ok. /Ralph

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