Discussion
I haven’t used my Griff at all this winter, I’m a bit worried about it, am I doing the right things!
It’s in my garage, it’s dry, not damp, and on a battery conditioner, every couple of weeks I start it and drive it out of the garage, clean it, make sure everything is OK.
Recently I noticed a bit of coolant around the old Land Rover censor, I hope this isn’t anything serious?
That’s unused, and a new censor is in front if it, the old one has a bit of rubber pipe with a nut in the end, blanking it off.
I’m just worried about corrosion, from not being used, and anything else that may be of concern.
Thanks.
It’s in my garage, it’s dry, not damp, and on a battery conditioner, every couple of weeks I start it and drive it out of the garage, clean it, make sure everything is OK.
Recently I noticed a bit of coolant around the old Land Rover censor, I hope this isn’t anything serious?
That’s unused, and a new censor is in front if it, the old one has a bit of rubber pipe with a nut in the end, blanking it off.
I’m just worried about corrosion, from not being used, and anything else that may be of concern.
Thanks.
You'd do well to check you have the correct type of antifreeze in it.
It should be Glycol based (Blue0 and not the Organic Acid Technology (OAT) version (Pink/Orange).
Eitjer get a sample and make sure its blue or check with whoever last changed it.
If it is the OAT version then it will need a really good flushing, several heat cycles of flushing followed by finally refilling with the correct glycol mix.
It should be Glycol based (Blue0 and not the Organic Acid Technology (OAT) version (Pink/Orange).
Eitjer get a sample and make sure its blue or check with whoever last changed it.
If it is the OAT version then it will need a really good flushing, several heat cycles of flushing followed by finally refilling with the correct glycol mix.
I wouldn't be starting it for the short time that you do , you'll never burn off the condensation produced , either drive it till it gets properly hot, and oil takes far longer than coolant to get to working temperature, or don't start it at all.
Mine doesn't get run from October/November till spring and the roads are clear of salt.
Mine doesn't get run from October/November till spring and the roads are clear of salt.
I disconnect the fuel relay, literally dangling in front of the battery in my pre cat and turn over the engine on the starter until I have oil pressure, every couple of weeks in winter. This prevents any fuel getting through. As mentioned unless you run the car for a good 30 minutes or so you risk condensation in the bores. I also pump brake and clutch pedal to keep the callipers/ seals moving and roll forward or back a couple of feet to even up weight on the tyres.
'Fogging oil' down each bore and manually turning it over each week. No need to start it as this will just 'coke' up the plugs, valves and combustion chambers. Turn it over clockwise using the crank pulley. 10 total turns a week.
This is what I do. All in my opinion.
No doubt a powerfully built company director will be along to proclaim how wrong this is
This is what I do. All in my opinion.
No doubt a powerfully built company director will be along to proclaim how wrong this is
Trickle charging is always good unless you've moved the battery to the boot like some. I have a trickle charge on mine.
I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
sixor8 said:
Trickle charging is always good unless you've moved the battery to the boot like some. I have a trickle charge on mine.
I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
That’s right, I run it until hot, and temp gauge is around normal, like you, about once every three weeks.I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
My Tuscan and Chimaera are locked up for months and months without problems. They are in a well ventilated (alright draughty) wooden garage.
They have their own Carcoons and are on a CTEK each.
The brake disks don’t even rust over.
I’ve never bothered with overinflating tyres and don’t start them when layed up.
They have their own Carcoons and are on a CTEK each.
The brake disks don’t even rust over.
I’ve never bothered with overinflating tyres and don’t start them when layed up.
I'm sure everyone will have different views, but just to add mine, my Griff sits in a dry garage for a few months over winter, and other than charging the battery from time to time I don't do anything to it. I don't see the point of repeated cold starts and gently heat cycling things for no definite reason, even sitting idling outside you'll not get proper heat into the oil or transmission. Tyres are fine too; I've had a slight flat spot feeling on a different stored car in the past and that went away after a few miles. It's easy to over think things.
griff59 said:
sixor8 said:
Trickle charging is always good unless you've moved the battery to the boot like some. I have a trickle charge on mine.
I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
That’s right, I run it until hot, and temp gauge is around normal, like you, about once every three weeks.I don't think there's anything wrong with starting it occasionally, a lot less palaver than removing plugs etc, but ALWAYS run it until warm, at least until the water temperature gauge starts to register. i do mine every 3 weeks or so. Starting and stopping quickly isn't a good idea, it can cause carbon build up as mentioned, and possible bore washing.
Oil will be cold in relation to the coolant, and moisture will not be burnt off. It does more harm than good.
In the 1990s I had a Lotus Excel that I stored over winter, in a garage, and the clutch froze up. 
Got it free eventually.
I don't want that to happen again so as well as warming the Griffup every few weeks, I press the clutch in and drive the car a few yards back and forth and press the brakes. I appreciate not everybody has the room to do that.
Got it free eventually.I don't want that to happen again so as well as warming the Griffup every few weeks, I press the clutch in and drive the car a few yards back and forth and press the brakes. I appreciate not everybody has the room to do that.
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