How relevant are the original service intervals?

[BitMoreBlurred]

As the age of Morris Minors goes up, the annual mileage tends to go down. I have a 1960 Minor 1000 that tends to notch up about 3000 miles a year. I would interested to hear your views on service intervals for a car that is used for short journeys on every school day of the year.

For example, should the oil be changed every 3000 miles (once a year) and the oil filter changed every 6000 miles (once every two years)? Is it right to top up the carburettor dashpot once a year? What about adjusting the brakes once a year?

On the other end of the scale, what about lubricating the steering rack every 12,000 miles (every four years) or replace the spark plugs every four years?

Have fun,

Mikey.

[billlobban]

Personally I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles. Carb dashpot as often as required as its so easy to check. Brakes kinda depend more on their useage - the more you drive harder you drive your car the more often you need to adjust them.
I do the steering rack every 6000
I do about 5000 miles a year. I suppose with low milage classic cars the service inervals are more down to personal preference. Rember the manuals were written when the Minor was an every day car doing at least 12000 mileas a year (and some still are)

[alex_holden]

I always change the oil filter and air filter at the same time as the engine oil. I check and if necessary top up the dashpot while I'm changing the air filter. The ignition parts should last at least a year, unless they are poorly made modern reproductions (the quality of parts from a brand that used to have a good reputation seems to be falling recently). With your usage I would probably check the engine oil and coolant levels every week or two and the gearbox and axle levels twice a year (more frequently if you find they need a lot of topping up). You should probably be greasing all the nipples (especially the trunnions) at least twice a year and you might as well adjust the brakes if they need it at the same time.

[mike.perry]

Nipple greasing is carried out whenever the front wheels are off. Oil and water are checked before a journey and the brakes are adjused if that journey involves towing the trailer. Forget about dropping the sump and removing the head for a decoke!!

[simmitc]

Short journeys are bad for the engine as it never gets properly warm. Relatively high usage of choke gives richer mixture which can dilute oil. The old service guides used to say "every 6,000 miles or once a year", and I would recommend changing the oil and filter once a year. Points, plugs, and tappets OK at 6,0000. Brakes OK at 6,000 or when the pedal travel increases; but it's a good idea to look at them prior to MOT anyway. Don't forget the air filter and fan belt.

[BitMoreBlurred]

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess what I've learnt is that I should think about each item in the published service lists, consider whether they could be affected by time or mileage, take into account low annual mileage and multiple short journeys and then make up my own mind about what needs doing and when. Or, in other words, just go with my gut feeling and adjust with experience

Have fun,

Mikey.

[mogbob]

Mikey

You've understood the issues.
Just a rider to the sound advice given...investigate anything unusual sounds. leaks, functions ( as in... car pulling to one side on braking, for example ) broken/ damaged parts etc immediately.Don't leave it to later.
Bob

[BitMoreBlurred]

( as in... car pulling to one side on braking, for example )

Learnt my lesson there.

[ampwhu]

NEVER take any chances with brakes. i lost a lovely car years ago with a slap-dash attitude.