Winter lay-up

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Probably been asked a million times before but:

This is the first winter I have owned my TVR any recomendations on the best way to lay the car up in the garage for the winter?

I`ve got a battery conditioner already conected so the battery doesn`t go flat.

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

[jmorgan]

Keep driving it

[BLUETHUNDER]

Probably been asked a million times before but:

This is the first winter I have owned my TVR any recomendations on the best way to lay the car up in the garage for the winter?

I`ve got a battery conditioner already conected so the battery doesn`t go flat.

Any other suggestions would be helpful. Has as already been said keep driving it.Laying any car up for a period of time does more damage than good,believe me when you come to put your car back on the road you will be faced with a multitude of problems.

[trefor]

There are usually lots of fine and dry days in the winter, just a bit colder than summer. Perfect TVR blastin' time IMO. No tourists around to get in the way on those Sunday blats either.

T/.

[Prince_Charming]

I'm gonna keep driving mine and pile on the miles regardless of depreciation - life is definitely too short to worry about things like that...

www.deathclock.com

[Ballistic Banana]

Prince_Charming said: I'm gonna keep driving mine and pile on the miles regardless of depreciation - life is definitely too short to worry about things like that...

www.deathclock.com

2057 well that sok BUT Prince(me Darl'in)how the hell(no pun intended) did you come acroos that sire.

BB

[Ballistic Banana]

My thoughts are you are better off keping the car running during the winter but make sure you look after the Chassis /suspension.
If you are gonna lay it up at least take it for a spin once a week.

BB

[hut49]

I'm sure there's plenty of guys on here that would take it out for the odd walkies from time to time!

I couldn't imagine being without a regular adrenaline fix from my Chimaera and will be most certainly be exercising it topless (the car, not me)whenever the opportunity arises. I've waxoyled its undercarriage but will be sure it gets a thorough douche after driving it on roads that have been salted.

Hutch

[shpub]

There is a whole chapter devoted to laying up in the bible. Battery conditioner is just one aspect. Put the car on axle stands or roll the car so that you don't create flat spots on the tyres.
Don't leave the handbrake on and start up the engine regularly and leave it running so that everything gets warm.

Biggest problems occur when you take it out of hibernation with potentially stick clutches and so on.

[RiverGirrl]

This will be my second winter with my Chimaera, and she will not be resting in the garage!! I agree the beasts need to be driven to stay in tune, etc...and many here will agree. Too much potential for problems in the spring. And if you're going to fire up those cylinders on occasion, you might as well go for a spin!! There will be plenty of dry days during the winter. I believe this Wednesday is forecasted to have some sun...we can but pray

[simpo one]

Well done Shpub - at least someone answered the poor bloke's question eventually!

[EdT]

If I've not used the car for just a week or so, I try to make sure that ALL the controls get a user - blower direction, elec windows, hazard button etc etc

Regards
Ed



>> Edited by Edt on Tuesday 17th December 14:29

[hut49]

RiverGirrl said: This will be my second winter with my Chimaera, and she will not be resting in the garage!! I agree the beasts need to be driven to stay in tune, etc...and many here will agree. Too much potential for problems in the spring. And if you're going to fire up those cylinders on occasion, you might as well go for a spin!! There will be plenty of dry days during the winter. I believe this Wednesday is forecasted to have some sun...we can but pray

we can but prey

>> Edited by hut49 on Wednesday 18th December 13:47

[RiverGirrl]

Prey indeed!!! Ruby growls menacingly at Numpties!!

[wolosp]

shpub said: ....Biggest problems occur when you take it out of hibernation with potentially stick clutches and so on.

I've heard through my past experiences with Morgans that one way to avoid the clutch sticking is to jam a length of wood between the seat (suitable protected with padding) and the clutch pedal so it is kept depressed....I wouldn't expect it to hurt the clutch (but the 80s 4/4 Mog had a cable clutch...might be a different matter with a hydraulic one).
Also, rather than just start the engine occasionally, I'd suggest that it would be much better to at least get the engine up to a good running temperature, and preferably take it out for a run to keep the brakes and other bits (oil seals etc,.) working well.



>> Edited by wolosp on Wednesday 18th December 11:40

[clint888]

Probably been asked a million times before but:

This is the first winter I have owned my TVR any recomendations on the best way to lay the car up in the garage for the winter?

I`ve got a battery conditioner already conected so the battery doesn`t go flat.

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Previous owner laid car up for whole year---result fuse box corroded and had to be replaced. I lay mine up for five months and follow directions in Steve's book PLUS I use a dehumidifier in the garage. You can get one for about £130 from QED (web). I thought my garage was dry until this gadget got going and I found myself baling out 5L water every two days-- that's the sort of damp corrosive atmosphere your car could be in.

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Thanks For your advice.
Have been taking the beast out but not as regulary. Still puts a smile on my face!

[flasher]

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Like you, in the winter I would avoid the crappy salty roads as much as possible, but once you get a nice dry crisp day get her out and give her a good run. The one time I left my Griff in the garage it caused no end of problems from a flat battery to a seized brake caliper. Best advice is to use the car whenever you get a chance. Sitting around does them (or you!) no good at all....

[clint888]

Apropos laying-up for several months I have been told that the petrol loses its octane rating. Suspect that piss is being extracted.

[CraigAlsop]

clint888 said: Apropos laying-up for several months I have been told that the petrol loses its octane rating. Suspect that piss is being extracted.

Ummm no, this is actually true - eg 98 Octane Optimax can get down to 94 after a few months, but shouldn't drop much below that. If you're bothered by this, don't lay it up with much fuel in the tank, and fill it up when you are ready to drive it.
Never bothered me, as I keep driving it through the winter, whenever the roads aren't too salty (i.e. dry, or it has rained for a couple of days solid)