To start or not to start?
To start or not to start?
Hi
I have recently SORN the Zed for the Winter period and have done all of the necessary recommended checks prior to storing in the garage...................third year running
The question I'm never sure on the answer; (1) Is it wise to run the engine for a period of time to keep the oil circulating? (2) If so; how often? (3) for how long?............or just leave well alone until the Spring time.
Cheers
I have recently SORN the Zed for the Winter period and have done all of the necessary recommended checks prior to storing in the garage...................third year running
The question I'm never sure on the answer; (1) Is it wise to run the engine for a period of time to keep the oil circulating? (2) If so; how often? (3) for how long?............or just leave well alone until the Spring time.
Cheers
- lordhelpus
- Joined: Sat 14 Sep, 2013 09:46
- Posts: 128
- Location: Tax Exile
Re: To start or not to start?
I think it all depends on a couple of things...
1. When was the oil last changed prior to storage.
2. When do you intend to get the vehicle back on the road?
When I laid mine up last year I didn't bother changing the oil, but when it was time to get it back on the road in the spring, I contacted the local Indy BMW specialist garage who trailered it away and done a complete oil and fluid/filter service and tune up and gave it the once over underneath and a MOT.
The minor servicing I do myself through the year, but I like to have it checked out at least once a year just for peace of mind really.
If I was doing what you intend to do then I would start it up and run for 30mins once a fortnight.
1. When was the oil last changed prior to storage.
2. When do you intend to get the vehicle back on the road?
When I laid mine up last year I didn't bother changing the oil, but when it was time to get it back on the road in the spring, I contacted the local Indy BMW specialist garage who trailered it away and done a complete oil and fluid/filter service and tune up and gave it the once over underneath and a MOT.
The minor servicing I do myself through the year, but I like to have it checked out at least once a year just for peace of mind really.
If I was doing what you intend to do then I would start it up and run for 30mins once a fortnight.
1997 2.8................ Montreal Blue
Re: To start or not to start?
Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.
Tim.
Tim.
Re: To start or not to start?
Cheers Tim.................Yes, the Zed is linked up to a Ctek Battery Charger, Oil changed, Tyres slightly over inflated, Rubbers greased with Gummi, Roof left off the clamps to ease the tension, WD40 were neededTitanTim wrote:Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.
Tim.
Many thanks...........I'll leave well alone until the spring
Re: To start or not to start?
I'll second Tim. Mines sorn till march/April now and won't be touched until then. Did the same last winter and everything was fine come spring time.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Re: To start or not to start?
For the past 5 years every November I've put mine in the garage with the brakes copper greased and handbrake off, alarm off, roof unlocked, oil changed, full tank of petrol, cleaned and waxed and just sat for 6/7 months... No charger just a tailor made Z3 car cover and without fail....she starts up in May on the button ready to rock and roll.
''need I remind you 007, you have a licence to kill...not to break the traffic laws''
Re: To start or not to start?
totally agree with what he saidTitanTim wrote:Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.
Tim.
Re: To start or not to start?
What about tyres please. Increase the pressure/deflate a few psi. Also if you dont start up you dont move the car and the weight of the car will be sitting on the same part of the tyre.
Thanks
Thanks
Re: To start or not to start?
My Westfield is on SORN for six months of the year - actually all year nowadays - but I break it out for the track days season. Rock back and forth to free the brakes, and release the clutch occasionally, preferably while moving the car slightly in gear to rotate the gearbox with respect to the pressure surface of the clutch to stop it sticking to the face. I don't find flat spotting a problem for the tyres, but it may be brand specific.
Re: To start or not to start?
I've never really had problems with the tyres after being laid up, just keep them at 33psi all round. If I was storing for more than 6 months then would increase pressures. I'm never keen on putting the car up on axle stands as the springs would be extended. Unsure if that would be a bad thing long term.
Tim.
Tim.
Re: To start or not to start?
It gets a bit trickier when you have air conditioning.
I start and run mine several times in the winter to keep the A/C in order.
Always on a warm day and run for at least 30 mins, luckily I have a longish drive so it gets moved about a bit as well.
never had any trouble from doing this.
When I had a Morgan I used to lay that up all winter without starting it though I did move it a couple of feet occasionally to ease pressure on the tyres. That also used to work fine for me.
I think a dry garage is maybe important and a dust sheet along with no drastic changes in temperature seems to help to avoid condensation.
Dave.
I start and run mine several times in the winter to keep the A/C in order.
Always on a warm day and run for at least 30 mins, luckily I have a longish drive so it gets moved about a bit as well.
never had any trouble from doing this.
When I had a Morgan I used to lay that up all winter without starting it though I did move it a couple of feet occasionally to ease pressure on the tyres. That also used to work fine for me.
I think a dry garage is maybe important and a dust sheet along with no drastic changes in temperature seems to help to avoid condensation.
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
Re: To start or not to start?
That seems to be a good general recommendation even for cars used all year around, with air con. The service department of my local MINI dealer was lecturing my wife about that recently. Something about "stopping the seals drying out and perishing?"DC wrote:It gets a bit trickier when you have air conditioning.I start and run mine several times in the winter to keep the A/C in order.
Re: To start or not to start?
Coming at this from a slightly different angle!
I don't have a garage and the fully fitted cover served only to ensure that any condensation was never quite cleared until I managed to move zeddie into a sunnier part of the garden. She now sits, fully waxed, wheels refurbished and sealed, roof sealed, but open to the elements and I keep thinking 'what's the worst that can happen if I take her out for a spin?' This based on the fact that my mileage is low, just over 40k, from around 37k when bought over 3 years ago so a few extra won't unduly affect any resale value.
Of course there will be salt on the roads which could be rinsed off (although that may mean leaving zeddie with a wet underside). So, to rinse or not to rinse, that is the question!?
I don't have a garage and the fully fitted cover served only to ensure that any condensation was never quite cleared until I managed to move zeddie into a sunnier part of the garden. She now sits, fully waxed, wheels refurbished and sealed, roof sealed, but open to the elements and I keep thinking 'what's the worst that can happen if I take her out for a spin?' This based on the fact that my mileage is low, just over 40k, from around 37k when bought over 3 years ago so a few extra won't unduly affect any resale value.
Of course there will be salt on the roads which could be rinsed off (although that may mean leaving zeddie with a wet underside). So, to rinse or not to rinse, that is the question!?
Last edited by Warrior on Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:51, edited 1 time in total.
Re: To start or not to start?
I think I have heard somewhere that bmw actually designed them so they could be used in all weathers barring deep snow there should be no problems at all driving it in any weather
Re: To start or not to start?
Re: To start or not to start?
Mines never ever been out in snow or ice and being a Japanese import has never seen grit or salt. I'm sure if fitted with winters as Tim's is it would perform well enough but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I suspect that what I really mean is I cant be bothered cleaning two cars!
Dave.
I suspect that what I really mean is I cant be bothered cleaning two cars!
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
Re: To start or not to start?
Mines great in the snow
Tim.[/quote]
Hi Tim
Change of subject.........the boot spoiler looks great..............is it OEM or Ebay ready painted?
I was considering the addition for the summer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Painted-Boot- ... 4abac7c39f
Tim.[/quote]
Hi Tim
Change of subject.........the boot spoiler looks great..............is it OEM or Ebay ready painted?
I was considering the addition for the summer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Painted-Boot- ... 4abac7c39f
Re: To start or not to start?
Re: To start or not to start?
I bought one also about 18 months ago for my artic silver 2.8. Fitted in 2 minutes and colour spot on, absolute bargain!!
Re: To start or not to start?
I start my robin hood 2b up every 3 weeks turn in in and out my shed a few times making sure its fully warmed up before going back in , been doing that for the last 10 years with out any problems so far , its been ok for my z3 since I got her 3 months ago
Peter2b
Peter2b
-
- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
- Posts: 2093
- Location: Daglan, France
Re: To start or not to start?
Don't forget to prime the oil system by removing the fuel pump fuses and turning the engine in short bursts until the oil light goes out, then a few longer bursts before replacing the fuses and starting up.
Yes - a battery charger is a better investment than a new battery!
Yes - a battery charger is a better investment than a new battery!
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: To start or not to start?
Zebedee is now in the man cave....aka garage
First time the garage has seen a car in 15 years,and after 3weeks of clearing it out,he was put away nice n dry yesterday
I'm new to this laying up over the winter,is there a to do list anywhere on the forum? or if someone could compile one for those that are new to it
Mine does have aircon,I have left him unlocked with the handbrake off,and do intend buying a trickle charger of some kind
Just want to make sure he is good to go in the spring
Thanks
First time the garage has seen a car in 15 years,and after 3weeks of clearing it out,he was put away nice n dry yesterday
I'm new to this laying up over the winter,is there a to do list anywhere on the forum? or if someone could compile one for those that are new to it
Mine does have aircon,I have left him unlocked with the handbrake off,and do intend buying a trickle charger of some kind
Just want to make sure he is good to go in the spring
Thanks
The only bad thing about owning a Z3 is bedtime .......boing!! time for bed said zebedee
Z3 cosmos black individual 2.0
X1 /MSport XDrive 2.0d mineral white
Z3 cosmos black individual 2.0
X1 /MSport XDrive 2.0d mineral white
Re: To start or not to start?
Hi TopperzTopperz wrote:Zebedee is now in the man cave....aka garage
First time the garage has seen a car in 15 years,and after 3weeks of clearing it out,he was put away nice n dry yesterday
I'm new to this laying up over the winter,is there a to do list anywhere on the forum? or if someone could compile one for those that are new to it
Mine does have aircon,I have left him unlocked with the handbrake off,and do intend buying a trickle charger of some kind
Just want to make sure he is good to go in the spring
Thanks
This post is worth a read.......I only found it after I raised my question
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30334