Scottish Elises

How often should an engine be turned over when laid up for the winter,and will it do it any harm?

I have no idea.

But cars are meant to be running not stored

At a guess, get it idling and leave until the temp gets to normal running level. Might be worth leaving until the rad fan cuts in (and then until it cuts back out, mind) which pretty much confirms everything on the engine and cooling dept is alive.

Move the car back and forth a little to ensure the brakes are free too?

Someone who knows better will be along in a mo to keep us right though.

campbell wrote:I have no idea.

But cars are meant to be running not stored

At a guess, get it idling and leave until the temp gets to normal running level. Might be worth leaving until the rad fan cuts in (and then until it cuts back out, mind) which pretty much confirms everything on the engine and cooling dept is alive.

Move the car back and forth a little to ensure the brakes are free too?

Someone who knows better will be along in a mo to keep us right though.

Cheers Campbell,it`s only going to be away while all this salt crap is about.

Oh and you have a trickle charger for it, right?

The oil can pick up moisture over time. Starting and stopping frequently without putting the engine under load isn't a good idea. By all means check the brakes aren't seized but if possible park with the handbrake off and roll it forward and back to change the position on the tyres. All really depends how long it's laid up. When your ready to take it out of hibernation then change the oil and take for a run. Trickle charger will look after the battery as Campbell mentioned.

Interesting point re: oil and moisture Mike. What does loading the engine do to help? Is it just to do with the speed of oil circulation / getting "real" heat into it, or something completely different?!

Not sure, think it's more that starting and stopping doesn't clear allow the water to evaporate and builds condensation that leads to more water etc. Constant cold starting doesn't help engine wear, better to start and go rather than just leave idling.
Can't remember where I read about the mosture in oil, was ages ago but have always changed it after a winter lay up and try to resist the temptation of starting it to often.

Guess Robin will be able to confirm if I am right or wrong . Perhaps just an old wife tail but kinda made sense to me, at least.

Does have some logic, Mike.

For sure, "warming a car up" is best done by getting on the move, but it's laid up and not taxed or insured I guess that puts limitations on what can be done.

Mikie711 wrote:Can't remember where I read about the mosture in oil, was ages ago but have always changed it after a winter lay up and try to resist the temptation of starting it to often.

Guess Robin will be able to confirm if I am right or wrong . Perhaps just an old wife tail but kinda made sense to me, at least.

Would like to hear more on this as well.

Mine has been sitting for a month, started the first time in three weeks this morning and wont be moving till Februaury so confirmation on the moisture idea would be handy

A look around the net confirms that old oil can retain water and acids as combustion by-products that can be extremely corrosive to inactive internal surfaces as they gradually lose their protective coating through oil drainage to the sump. These effects are exacerbated in used oil, which may have exhausted its additives that help prevent these effects in daily service. Changing the oil and giving the car a run to get the new oil round the engine prior to sticking it away for winter is what seems to be recommended.
Interestingly, a good few go a lot further, putting a teaspoon of oil in each bore and turning it over to spread it out. Blocking the intake and exhaust with cotton rags to absorb moisture is an other. There is some mention of filling the fuel tank which helps stop internal rusting and also adding fuel stabilisers to stop separation. I have never had any bother with this in the past with either cars or bikes that have be laid up for long periods, I guess it’s down to what you class as a long period of time.
Sticking the car up on stands to save flat spotting the tyres, but more for long term storage, is another suggestion.
Most of these appear on all the sites I have looked at so there appears to be some truth in it.
Mine hasn’t had any of that done!!. But I will change the oil before digging it out in spring.

If the snow clears from the front of the garage, I might just give UJI a wee run out tomorrow if the roads are dry

Will also consider using it to get to the office next week a couple of times. Before the next dump arrives...