It's no good, I can't bear to sell it!
Discussion
Hi all,
With 6 months abroad approaching
my initial thoughts were to sell the Chim. 
But after another awesome trip through Europe, with the car not letting me down once, I just can't bear to part with it! I'm even eyeing up various mods for the future, something I never thought i'd find myself doing!
So - now i'm faced with a few decisions/questions- and would appreciate any advice please!
1. Laying up - the car will be out of action for at least 6 months, so I guess rather than putting it up on axle stands and leaving it in a garage in darkest Wales, it would be infinitely better if someone could run it every few weeks to keep everything in good order. To this end I have the option of leaving it on the drive at home, under a waterproof cover, or indoors in a hangar nearby, where I also have someone trustworthy to run it every so often. I'm tempted to leave it in the hangar - quite a few other people have cars stored here, it is more secure than my driveway by a long shot, and will obviously be dry and warm(ish) during the winter months. It'll be covered too to stop the bloody crows pooping on it.
If I get my mate to start the engine, let it warm up, and do a few laps of the hangar say once every week or two, will this be sufficient to keep the battery in good nick, or should I get a battery conditioner as well?
2. Chassis prep - Can't decide whether to do it myself or not. If I do - i'll try to do a thorough job. Did the wishbones last year with POR/hammerite/waxoyl and they still seem in good shape - I doubt the same could be said for the tops of the outrigger sides!
I haven't got access to a proper ramp, however I can use a "drive-on" ramp which puts two of the wheels a good foot higher for access. How have people got on with this style of ramp? Can you access most of the chassis without too much hassle? Also is there an ideal way to get the tops of the outrigger sides scraped and painted? After reading past threads i'm going to try looping sandpaper over to get the worst off, then loop a bit of fabric over and smear it with POR, work it from side to side, and try to cover the tops. Then i'll plaster the bugger with waxoyl to get thie bits i've missed. Anyone got a better technique?
Also, it looks like a fairly easy job to remove the exhaust whilst doing this - does this help significantly with access for painting/waxoyling?
Cheers!
With 6 months abroad approaching
my initial thoughts were to sell the Chim. But after another awesome trip through Europe, with the car not letting me down once, I just can't bear to part with it! I'm even eyeing up various mods for the future, something I never thought i'd find myself doing! So - now i'm faced with a few decisions/questions- and would appreciate any advice please!
1. Laying up - the car will be out of action for at least 6 months, so I guess rather than putting it up on axle stands and leaving it in a garage in darkest Wales, it would be infinitely better if someone could run it every few weeks to keep everything in good order. To this end I have the option of leaving it on the drive at home, under a waterproof cover, or indoors in a hangar nearby, where I also have someone trustworthy to run it every so often. I'm tempted to leave it in the hangar - quite a few other people have cars stored here, it is more secure than my driveway by a long shot, and will obviously be dry and warm(ish) during the winter months. It'll be covered too to stop the bloody crows pooping on it.
If I get my mate to start the engine, let it warm up, and do a few laps of the hangar say once every week or two, will this be sufficient to keep the battery in good nick, or should I get a battery conditioner as well?
2. Chassis prep - Can't decide whether to do it myself or not. If I do - i'll try to do a thorough job. Did the wishbones last year with POR/hammerite/waxoyl and they still seem in good shape - I doubt the same could be said for the tops of the outrigger sides!
I haven't got access to a proper ramp, however I can use a "drive-on" ramp which puts two of the wheels a good foot higher for access. How have people got on with this style of ramp? Can you access most of the chassis without too much hassle? Also is there an ideal way to get the tops of the outrigger sides scraped and painted? After reading past threads i'm going to try looping sandpaper over to get the worst off, then loop a bit of fabric over and smear it with POR, work it from side to side, and try to cover the tops. Then i'll plaster the bugger with waxoyl to get thie bits i've missed. Anyone got a better technique?
Also, it looks like a fairly easy job to remove the exhaust whilst doing this - does this help significantly with access for painting/waxoyling?
Cheers!
Hangar versus drive is no contest: hangar wins hands down every time. A battery conditioner (if available at the hangar) is a good idea. One short run out every couple of weeks using the gearbox, brakes and steering is good. Getting up to normal temperature is good too. It needs no more than that.
Ed450 said:
Hi all,
If I get my mate to start the engine, let it warm up, and do a few laps of the hangar say once every week or two, will this be sufficient to keep the battery in good nick, or should I get a battery conditioner as well?
Cheers!
If I get my mate to start the engine, let it warm up, and do a few laps of the hangar say once every week or two, will this be sufficient to keep the battery in good nick, or should I get a battery conditioner as well?
Cheers!
Just get one of these and leave it on over winter....
www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/showdetails.asp?id=761
I'm also on "overseas service" and looked at similar options. Currently I get home about every 3 weeks so I have the car covered up on my drive with a battery conditioner, no problems. I looked at a car storage place in Newport Pagnell that starts at about 80 quid per month, but like others they have a sliding scale of treatment that can include running the car on rollers once a week, operating all electrics and so on. Alternatively take it with you!
Get an optimate or some other battery conditioner as it's not going to charge well if only driven briefly. Also try and get it on stands to stop flat spots developing on the tyres if left standing for a while. Apparently the clutch can stick if not used which is BAD!
Steve Heath's bible has a good section on laying up your TVR for the winter.
Steve Heath's bible has a good section on laying up your TVR for the winter.
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