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[griffin]

Hi All

Saddly, I'm sorning the omega due to unemployment and can not afford to keep it on the road at present. Hopefully things will improve.

In the meantime is there any advice you can give to what precaustions I should take. The car will be kept on the driveway so I will start it up every now and then and move it forwards and backwards.

TIA
 

[Lesopc]

Depending on how long you leave it standing, i would check the tyre pressures once in a while, especially before driving it fully again.

[griffin]

Thanks for the reply.

It's probably going to be off the road for 6 - 12 months.
 

[Sixstring]

Don't just start it, and move forwards and backwards then turn it off. Let it come up to temp and leave it running for at least 10 mins. You would be surprised to know what harm "laying-up" for a while can do! Push brakes, and don't leave handbrake on, chock wheels instead. Move all electric windows up and down (and sunroof) a few times a month, and don't forget to turn wheels from left to right too to stop PS siezing up.

Mike.

[griffin]

Thanks all good points I'd not thought of. Is it worth covering the car during the winter?
 

[TheBoy]

Sadly, may be better to sell it, and buy another car when funds permit.  Bringing a car that has been laid up back on the road can be expensive.  My own MV6 suffered from lack of use when I had the tractor, and it took lots of TLC to bring her back into shape (sadly, bodywork I can't do )

[griffin]

Thanks TB, I have considered selling but I love this car... Bl**dy resession.

 

[Sixstring]

Covering the car CAN cause condensation inside and outside, and that means RUST. Better to give it a clean once a month and air it out every time you start it up (when you do the windows and sunroof!)   BUT............

12 months is a long time to not use a car, is there any other option? (like going TPFT on insurance, tax 6 months instead of 12, etc?)

You may not be unemployed that long........but if you are more than 6 months, would advise selling the car then, not before, just in case. ?   A known quantity car is better than one you don't know, and you might get one worse than yours is now!

[Entwood]

If you have the chance .. an oil change before "laying up" removes any acids in the oil system and reduces corrosion. As said .. when you run it, it needs to be for a decent length of time to get the WHOLE system, engine, oil, coolant and exhaust up to temperature, otherwise you just cause massive condensation inside all the working bits.

On "nice days" open all the doors and windows to allow the interior to "breathe"

Consider disconnecting the battery, or putting it on charge every couple of weeks, a flat battery left to stand will "die" very quickly

Don't leave lots of petrol in it, petrol slowly "goes off" over time. Its better to put the odd fresh gallon in when you come to run it.

As said .. leave the handbrake off but be aware the "gap" between the disc and pads is very small and corrosion can quickly make it even smaller, leading to the brakes siezing on .. so exercising them on rotating wheels, is pretty important.

When I laid up an MGB for a year did all the above, but also put it on axle stands, was then able to simply spin the wheels by hand once a week, this kept things nice and free. Lowered it and took it around the block (illegaly) every 2 months. Admittedly it was in a garage which made things a tad easier.

Hope things go well for you.. its a lovely motor and I understand why you wish to keep it. Here's hoping things improve and it's soon back where you both belong ... on the road enjoying motoring 

[Kevin Wood]

I would say don't run it at all.

There's no purpose to running an engine that's laid up and it will fill the engine and exhaust with acids and condensation. No matter how long you leave it idling it won't get hot enough to drive these off without taking it out on the road.

Ensure the oil and coolant are fresh, remove the spark plugs and put a teaspoon of oil in each bore then crank it over on the starter. Replace spark plugs and forget about the engine. It'll be fine.

Remove battery and charge regularly or leave it on an Optimate smart charger or similar.

Don't apply the handbrake but leave in gear / Park and/or chock the wheels.

Covering will cause damp, corrosion and mould unless you air the car regularly. Unless it's going to be subject to a lot of tree sap / leaf matter I'd just wash and wax it regularly.

Kevin

[Omegatoy]

I would say don't run it at all.

There's no purpose to running an engine that's laid up and it will fill the engine and exhaust with acids and condensation. No matter how long you leave it idling it won't get hot enough to drive these off without taking it out on the road.

Ensure the oil and coolant are fresh, remove the spark plugs and put a teaspoon of oil in each bore then crank it over on the starter. Replace spark plugs and forget about the engine. It'll be fine.

Remove battery and charge regularly or leave it on an Optimate smart charger or similar.

Don't apply the handbrake but leave in gear / Park and/or chock the wheels.

Covering will cause damp, corrosion and mould unless you air the car regularly. Unless it's going to be subject to a lot of tree sap / leaf matter I'd just wash and wax it regularly.

Kevin

Thats what ive always done!!!

[The Red Baron]

I would say don't run it at all.

There's no purpose to running an engine that's laid up and it will fill the engine and exhaust with acids and condensation. No matter how long you leave it idling it won't get hot enough to drive these off without taking it out on the road.

Ensure the oil and coolant are fresh, remove the spark plugs and put a teaspoon of oil in each bore then crank it over on the starter. Replace spark plugs and forget about the engine. It'll be fine.

Remove battery and charge regularly or leave it on an Optimate smart charger or similar.

Don't apply the handbrake but leave in gear / Park and/or chock the wheels.

Covering will cause damp, corrosion and mould unless you air the car regularly. Unless it's going to be subject to a lot of tree sap / leaf matter I'd just wash and wax it regularly.

Kevin

thats the way to go tbh.

[PhilRich]

And if you are going to lay it up, apart from everything else mentioned, don't forget to run the air con regularly to stop the seals drying out

[griffin]

Thanks guys!

Here's hoping it wont be off the road to long