Not using car for longer period

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zeeshanzaki
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Not using car for longer period

Post by zeeshanzaki »

After fixing c5 v6 2001 it was almost end of registration. I already bought another car and dont want to register for another year. What is the best practice to keep car in working conditions without driving. I want to use it after a year and dont want to spend thousands to make it roadworthy.
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white exec
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by white exec »

- Keep battery charged, either every couple of months if disconnected or off the car, or with an intelligent charger if left connected. The latter is best.
- Lift the wheels off the ground, to prevent tyres acquiring flats.
- Leave parking brake off, if you can.
- Shade tyres from sunlight.
- Make sure there is new/good condition coolant in the engine.
- If possible, allow some ventilation for the interior.
- Lift wipers clear of the glass (wine corks under the arms) to prevent them setting at an angle.
- Don't start the engine up for a brief run too often - it's not good for it; two or three times in the year is more than enough. When you do, allow to run for 10mins or so, to get some temperature going.
- Talcum powder the door surround rubbers; stops them sticking to the bodywork.
Chris
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by moizeau »

And make sure it's got some top quality fuel of additive in.
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xantia_v6
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by xantia_v6 »

My cars (including 2 with ES9 engines like yours) always sit for 6 months at a time. My XM sat fro 3 years before I bought it, and required nothing more than a new battery.

If stored in a dry garage, then battery and tyres are really the only things that should deteriorate in a year. If storing outside (in the UK), then park on a dry waterproof surface to keep the humidity under the car as low as possible, or at worst, put a waterproof tarp under the car.

It is better to change the engine oil before storage, as sediment will fall out of suspension and form a sludgy layer, not only in the sump, but also in the oil ways.

I have never had a problem with old petrol in a modern engine, even when sat for 15 years in a vented fuel tank, but would advise leaving the tank at least half full.
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Gibbo2286 »

If it's a manual fix the clutch pedal down to stop it seizing the plates together.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
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white exec
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1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by white exec »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 10:03 If it's a manual fix the clutch pedal down to stop it seizing the plates together.
Would advise against that - puts an enduring strain on the clutch cover fingers.
Just a thought.
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Would firing her up and driving her a few yards back and forth every couple of months help to keep things moving and in good order? This would be DRIVING her, not PUSHING her, so the gearbox also gets to work.
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Gibbo2286 »

white exec wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 11:00
Gibbo2286 wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 10:03 If it's a manual fix the clutch pedal down to stop it seizing the plates together.
Would advise against that - puts an enduring strain on the clutch cover fingers.
Just a thought.
It was common practice in the export market, clutches and gearboxes were destroyed by clutch plates being stuck to flywheels and force being used to release them.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
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white exec
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Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by white exec »

OK, didn't know that.
Chris
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white exec
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Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by white exec »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 11:05 Would firing her up and driving her a few yards back and forth every couple of months help to keep things moving and in good order? This would be DRIVING her, not PUSHING her, so the gearbox also gets to work.
Not a bad idea. Hydraulic Citroens don't thrive on being left to stand for months/years.
What does need to be avoided is just starting up the engine, leaving it to idle briefly, then switching off.
Most wear happens immediately after start up of a cold engine.
Driving a mile or so would be a good idea, if that's possible/legal, otherwise just - as suggested - a bit of shunting around.
If all impossible, not irretrievable - just look after battery and tyres. :)
Chris
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

So I would suggest also doing a Citrobics session as well, then?
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

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white exec
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Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by white exec »

Definitely. Always forgetting the obvious. :gt:
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zeeshanzaki
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by zeeshanzaki »

Thanks everyone for you advise.
I have 80 meter driveway so I can drive on my driveway, but I will cover it up properly and disconnect the battery. The car issitting now since 4 month and when I started it always started first time after two month it started without any issue.
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Skull »

Hindsight is a wonderful thing ....in addition to the above recommendations

I was thinking mine is stored outside so I think the best I could do is a heavy duty tarpaulin on the ground, what does everyone think about some logs cut to say clear the subframes when set to high, then lower the suspension to low, that would release the majority of the weight from the road wheels, release most of the hydraulic system pressure as well :?:
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Re: Not using car for longer period

Post by Skull »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 10:03 If it's a manual fix the clutch pedal down to stop it seizing the plates together.
Strangely when I done my first clutch change on a Triumph TR7 it sat for a month or so after the change, before I attempted to drive it properly and the pedal had already gone solid (hydraulic slave) I was adamant it should work as it was brand new, I tried freeing the pressure plate from the clutch plate or the clutch plate from the flywheel by pressing as hard as I could on the clutch pedal until it finally moved - well the clutch line split anyway :oops:

I had to fully remove the gearbox again and after removal of the pressure plate the clutch plate was tacked to the flywheel, it released it's 'grip' with a prod of the finger :twisted: obviously some of the grip had already been removed when the pressure plate was removed.

Laugh about it now :rofl2: but at the time it was #-o
On my 4th Citroën Xantia (X2 HDi (110))
Citroën sAXo Memphis Mk II
Gone
Xantia x3 (2.0i TCT Activa)(2.1 TD SX)(1.9 TD Estate)
Xsara HDi VTR Coupe / Saxo 1.1i / BX 1.9 d / 4 x AX's (1.4D /1.5D)
2 x 406 (1.9 TD Estate/2.1 TD Saloon) 405 1.9 D Estate 306 1.9 XTDT Hatch
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