Issues with lack of use?

Issues with lack of use?

Author
Discussion

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all
Are there any particular issues associated with lack of use in the s series. I used to run a cvh engined morgan, which hadn't had much regular use in the few years prior to my purchase. Pressing it into service thew up a variety of issues - perished rubber bits, coolant system, fuel tank/lines valve stem seals , dried out piston rings, i could go on.... once sorted daily use improved things no end.

Does the 2.9 Cologne engine have any little foibles? Are the electrics made even more perilous with lack of eegular use?

Cheers for tips

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all
sawman said:
Are there any particular issues associated with lack of use in the s series.
Sorry, can't help with this one wink ................ driving


.......... and have no idea how you "sorn" a car !

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all
phillpot said:
Sorry, can't help with this one wink ................ driving


.......... and have no idea how you "sorn" a car !
Me neither, but one of the cars on my radar looks like it’s just been driven to its mot and back for the last few years

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all

Apart from obvious things like perished hoses, as you mention, there can be issues with electrical contacts tarnishing, relays, air flow meters,general switches etc.

If it has been fired up at least once a year for MOT I wouldn't expect any major engine issues, tough old things those Colognes smile

tileart

156 posts

74 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
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Flat spots on tyres ? On which point -- someone I know has an S with tyres that have loads of tread but a DOT code for 2006 (no signs of sidewall perishing). He says the tyres should be replaced, I say not. Who's right -- me or him ?

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all
tileart said:
Flat spots on tyres ? On which point -- someone I know has an S with tyres that have loads of tread but a DOT code for 2006 (no signs of sidewall perishing). He says the tyres should be replaced, I say not. Who's right -- me or him ?
I would change them

MisterTee

319 posts

108 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
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Me too ... they can feel a bit wooden when they are that old. Fresh new boots transformed my car.

TurboTony

908 posts

170 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
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tileart said:
Flat spots on tyres ? On which point -- someone I know has an S with tyres that have loads of tread but a DOT code for 2006 (no signs of sidewall perishing). He says the tyres should be replaced, I say not. Who's right -- me or him ?
I believe that 10years is the ABSOLUTE maximum for road car tyres (7 for trailers).

Maffe

479 posts

258 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
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Never use old rubber, its not safe also applies to cars :P

Sticky clutch, gaskets in the clutch slave cylinder, bushings in suspension and chassis can get in a bad mood if not car lifted uå on axelstands during long time of not driving.

GreenV8S

30,152 posts

283 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
quotequote all
Fuel hoses would be the biggest concern with lack of use - oil seals the second issue.

But it's a worrying indication that the owner might not have used it enough to notice and keep on top of all the age related maintenance issues. Pay particular attention to the state of the chassis and the state of the electrics when inspecting.

tileart

156 posts

74 months

Saturday 7th July 2018
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sawman said:
I would change them
So here's a question. You take the car into the tyre place and they are going to fit the 4 new tyres. How do they know where the jacking points are ? (I don't). I have visions of them using somewhere along an outrigger and then everything goes crunch. I did once see this picture though on PH, so the answer should be they use the transverse chassis members adjacent to but inboard of the triangular gussets ??? Anyone got a better picture to explain it ?


GreenV8S

30,152 posts

283 months

Sunday 8th July 2018
quotequote all
Jack on the square section chassis tubes, using a flat lifting pad on the jack. Make sure they don't assume the fuel tank cradle is part of the chassis.

v8s4me

7,234 posts

218 months

Sunday 8th July 2018
quotequote all
The top knuckle joint on my steering column tightened up over the last winter. Definitely change the tyres (take the wheels off yourself and take them to the fitter in your sensible car) and definitely, definitely change the fuel lines. Be prepared to change the fuel filter a couple of times and you may also need a new fuel pump.

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Monday 9th July 2018
quotequote all
tileart said:
So here's a question. You take the car into the tyre place and they are going to fit the 4 new tyres. How do they know where the jacking points are ? (I don't). I have visions of them using somewhere along an outrigger and then everything goes crunch. I did once see this picture though on PH, so the answer should be they use the transverse chassis members adjacent to but inboard of the triangular gussets ??? Anyone got a better picture to explain it ?

On a four-poster, rubber-padded ramp, that's arranged just fine (assuming the chassis has no real corrosion issues)

With a single trolley jack, however, I wouldn't go in on a corner like that, unless you were 100% sure the chassis was tough. Much better to go in under the lower chassis rails, and even better to use a timber to spread the load between NS and OS.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 10th July 2018
quotequote all
Kitchski said:
On a four-poster, rubber-padded ramp, that's arranged just fine (assuming the chassis has no real corrosion issues)

With a single trolley jack, however, I wouldn't go in on a corner like that, unless you were 100% sure the chassis was tough. Much better to go in under the lower chassis rails, and even better to use a timber to spread the load between NS and OS.
Kitchski, it sounds like i need one your books!
Talking about lifting them up (or not), how much of a chassis evaluation is possible when viewing a potential purchase, with wheels on the ground?

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Tuesday 10th July 2018
quotequote all
sawman said:
how much of a chassis evaluation is possible when viewing a potential purchase, with wheels on the ground?

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 10th July 2018
quotequote all
Kinda what i thought, i guess. I have read that it can look ok from underneath, but still be rotten on the top of the tubes.
Presumably the best way to deterime no rot is to see a recent bill for a body off resto

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Tuesday 10th July 2018
quotequote all
sawman said:
Presumably the best way to deterime no rot is to see a recent bill for a body off resto
.............. and photo's !

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Tuesday 10th July 2018
quotequote all
sawman said:
Kitchski said:
On a four-poster, rubber-padded ramp, that's arranged just fine (assuming the chassis has no real corrosion issues)

With a single trolley jack, however, I wouldn't go in on a corner like that, unless you were 100% sure the chassis was tough. Much better to go in under the lower chassis rails, and even better to use a timber to spread the load between NS and OS.
Kitchski, it sounds like i need one your books!
Talking about lifting them up (or not), how much of a chassis evaluation is possible when viewing a potential purchase, with wheels on the ground?
If you know what you're looking at, then actually quite a bit. Yes, a lot of the chassis can rust, but there are only really key areas that are the difference between heartache and happiness. So in one respect Mike's right - you can't see a lot - but you don't actually need to, if you know where to look.