To start or not to start - that is the question..?

As my recent post has said the coop's going to be SORN'd for c 5 months and I've made the usual basic precautions. One thing though is should I start the car say every 3 weeks and let it run for a bit to keep things ticking over, making sure seals don't dry up etc or could that create further problems so best leave well alone

I didn't bother with mine. Just trickle charge on battery for 5 months.

No problems so far and it's done two winters like that. I think cold starting every few weeks is more likely to cause extra wear and tear than just leaving it.

I dry store many owners coupé over the winter months and start/run them all every couple of weeks, it keeps everything turning.

Having bought at least three cars that have been stood for years and months .... I would say disconnect the battery and don't worry about them. Even this flat (squared off) tyre thing seems to me to be needing several years of standing before a problem evolves ....

I regularly leave some of my cars static for months (I work abroad) and nothing happens to them upon start up. An occasional lazy tappet, that soon disappears after a good drive is the worst I have come across

Well, I will be driving my coupe through out the winter months cause its brilliant in the snow and ice and its important to keep everything moving.

My coupe always hibernates for 5 to 6 months inside a dry lockup and never had any problems starting it up after all those months. Disconnected the battery though by using one of those switches. Saves the hassle of getting the tool box out and works a treat Never start the coupe during that period.

Thanks for your views - split opinion but reckon I may just leave it alone. Henklia - waddya mean "one of those switches"

I've got one of these switches that isolates the battery, also good for an anti theft mesure.

I Like it!!

I mean this

https://www.gereedschapbestellen.be/accukabel-massa-schakelaar-accu-onderbreker-battery-terminal
Henk

You connect it very easily to the existing ground Cable and then it is simply a question of turning the green switch to disconnect.
Henk

It was in fact this one.
https://www.handelsondernemingbuijs.nl/a...ssa-schakelaar/

Henk

I'm in the just leave it boat. I left mine for about 6 months without so much as unlocking the door, when I turned the key she struck up as if I'd driven her the day before.

Had mine tucked away in a barn for the last 4/5 weeks. Been tempted to go and give it a run up to temperature, then run it up the farm track and back. It's just a pain getting it out as it's wedged between a boat and what I have since discovered are the last 3 TVRs ever made!

Anyway, might not need to rush to start it up...

Thanks Henklia for the update - worth investigating.

[quote=Slugcatcher1-...since discovered are the last 3 TVRs ever made!.. [/quote]

They must be worth a few bob or two What models are they and are they in good nick?

Having had bikes for years the consensus was don't start the engine as it does not get hot enough to get rid of water vapour etc in your engine so probably causes more issues than you are trying to prevent. Lot's of short starts (getting it out of the way) caused my GTV to get a sticky/noisy tappet until I drove it properly once again.

Regarding the TVRs, I haven't dared peek under the covers. When I say 'last ever made' I understand they were bought off the production line as not completely finished. The owner apparently wishes to finish them off someday. I'll have a little nosy next time I'm checking on my car.

My old N/A Scottie was parked on grass for 4 years. With fresh petrol and jumpers she started up and was driven 100 miles (by Nigel at Motormech). Unfortunately rust issues meant she couldn't be saved.

im one for starting it up every few weeks and getting it warm. also a cheeky little mile or 2 on dry days

Liam - were you at Trinity School for footie practice a few weeks ago? I saw a Coupe like yours parked there when walking my dogs.