Storing a Moggy

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 10:17 am

Hello Everyone.

At the moment Im not to good in the heart area,
I was told in late october that Iam not to drive for the next 1-2 month`s.

This means (Olive) my moggy will be stood outside until late december, I have already stuggled to take the battery off and have took the hand-brake off and put her in 1st gear.

What else do I need to do so I will not have problems when I have to start her?.

Best Wishes Paul

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:50 am

Sorry to hear that Paul, I would have left the battery on and started the car occasionally and get it up to a working temprature, as long as you battery is good leaving it for a couple of months should not cause any harm, in Morris Minor not in use terms that is only a short while and I would just regard it as mid term parking.
Good Luck

Post by **Cam** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 12:00 pm

Yes, I would move it forwards and backwards every couple of weeks too, just to stop the clutch / brakes seizing.

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 3:58 pm

Ive put the battery back on kevin, (Olive has allready been stood 3 weeks so ive charged the battery up.

She had problems starting (5th time ) I will just put that down to her standing for the last 3 weeks, the brakes were stuck on but that is because there newish.

I did read in one of the classic car mags that if petrol is left in the tank for a long time it can go off, (not sure what they mean by long time?)

Ive got 1/4 of a tank full do you thing i will need to add some redex in just to clean the system out?.

Best Wishes Paul

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 5:07 pm

for a few months it is probably not worth doing much more than leaving the handbrake off, moving the car every few weeks.

If it ends up a longer period - health has a way of doing that..
then it is worth to charge the battery every 4 to 6 weeks.

If the car is left for more than 6 months I would recommend to coat the brake cylinder pistons in a (brake fluid compatible) grease, and also to slacken of the brake adjusters completely. Also spray the inside of the distributor and the petrol pump points with a lot of WD40.

You can get special battery chargers to keep the battery topped up long term, but if it's outside you may not want to permanently leave a mains cable to the car!
The petrol should be ok for at least 6 months. I have a car that's been off road for 10 years and it still goes. There are rumours about modern petrol going off quicker, but I've yet to see real proof of it (my 61 4-door was offroad for a year before I got it but starts ok)

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 10:36 pm

Thanks Ray,Cam & Kevin.

Oh just another question that I hope you can answer.

Iam insured for 10000 miles a year, because (Olive) will be stood for a bit can I change my insurance so that (olive) is just insured for siting outside and then change it back when hopefully Iam better?.

Paul.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:09 pm

Yes, a lot of insurance companies now do 'off road' cover i.e. 0 miles. My MG has such a policy at the moment, although it's in my mum's name so I'm not too sure who it is with.

Post by **Chris Morley** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:41 am

Paul, sorry to hear you're having problems. I hope you are back to fitness soon.

Are there any friends or family who could give your mog a quick spin every few weeks? That would be better. Sadly I don't think there are other messageboard members near you - perhaps your local branch could help?