Maximum time to leave car untouched?

29th March 2014, 00:08

What's the maximum time. Say I were to go travelling, that I should leave my Vts untouched and not started? How many months can it be left before it become a threat to "the engine seizing up"?

So I know when to get my friend to start it up.

Also. How long should They leave it running, like ten mins or longer?

Thanks

29th March 2014, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

What's the maximum time. Say I were to go travelling, that I should leave my Vts untouched and not started? How many months can it be left before it become a threat to "the engine seizing up"?

So I know when to get my friend to start it up.

Also. How long should They leave it running, like ten mins or longer?

Thanks

I'd say get him to run it once a week or so....get him to leave it on tick over for a bit, give a few revs and that should do it. If he could take it for a spin that'd be best to stop brakes and other things seizing up etc. If not take it for a spin, just move it up and down the drive or whatever. Say that, I left my Saxo without starting it for nearly 2 months and it was fine, but once every week or 2 cant do any harm

29th March 2014, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrady72

I'd say get him to run it once a week or so....get him to leave it on tick over for a bit, give a few revs and that should do it. If he could take it for a spin that'd be best to stop brakes and other things seizing up etc. If not take it for a spin, just move it up and down the drive or whatever. Say that, I left my Saxo without starting it for nearly 2 months and it was fine, but once every week or 2 cant do any harm

What if its been left for say 6 months ... LMAO

29th March 2014, 00:35

it'll get dusty?

29th March 2014, 00:40

Problem being I'm gone for a year. Made it difficult

29th March 2014, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prickle

it'll get dusty?

Lol I hope that's all ..

29th March 2014, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

What if its been left for say 6 months ... LMAO

Then saxo eating fairies will munch away at your car...the bastards have already eaten my inner wing!!!
But whys it being left stood for 6 months? I thought that's what your friend was for, so it wasn't left for that long?

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29th March 2014, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrady72

Then saxo eating fairies will munch away at your car...the bastards have already eaten my inner wing!!!
But whys it being left stood for 6 months? I thought that's what your friend was for, so it wasn't left for that long?

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Haha. Well travelling is hectic business doing six countries in six months. Tbh it's slipped my mind until now unfortunately. And there's people talking about starting it every week fuark that lol best he may do from now is once every two weeks if lucky and that'll be to start it for five mins

29th March 2014, 06:45

Disconnect the battery, leave the handbrake off and you're laughing.

Start it one a month, mine's Ben left for a year before, alternator seized on it but lube and force freed it back up!

29th March 2014, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

Haha. Well travelling is hectic business doing six countries in six months. Tbh it's slipped my mind until now unfortunately. And there's people talking about starting it every week fuark that lol best he may do from now is once every two weeks if lucky and that'll be to start it for five mins

You can't be THAT bothered about your car that much if you're saying fook that to starting it every week, ain't exactly gonna cost you any fuel or effort or time....sounds like you've got a plan already sorted!

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29th March 2014, 09:31

starting the car up once a week and not using it just leaving it running is probally worse than just leaving it.

it'll be fine. just leave it and forget about it. get back home, charge the battery, disconnect coilpack, turn it over for a while, reconnect coil pack and off you go. be a good idea to give it oil and filter change.

left mine for 18 months and it was spot on

29th March 2014, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

Haha. Well travelling is hectic business doing six countries in six months. Tbh it's slipped my mind until now unfortunately. And there's people talking about starting it every week fuark that lol best he may do from now is once every two weeks if lucky and that'll be to start it for five mins

Looks like you've got it sorted then. Not much point asking if thats all you can do anyway?

29th March 2014, 09:40

Just leave it, starting and idling will do more damage than sitting there
.

29th March 2014, 09:47

Overinflate tyres to try to avoid flatspots!

29th March 2014, 10:08

I agree disconnect the battery and leave the handbrake off.

If it does get to a year just check everything over give crank bolt a little turn, disconnect the coil pack and crank it over a few times

Plug back in and everything should be ok

29th March 2014, 10:08

Pleased someone mentioned tyres lol.

Get it on axle stands and leave it, or replace the tyres when you get home.

Engine should be fine. I've had a VTS engine on my garage floor for 6 months, I'm planning to drain the oil and refill before I lash it in, and turn the engine by hand a bit.

You could make sure there's oil circulated before you start it by simply unplugging the coil pack and fuel pump plugs and then cranking it, it'll get the oil moving around again.

29th March 2014, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrady72

Then saxo eating fairies will munch away at your car.

Ahh, the old rust fairies will eat yer car even if your running it week in week out.

30th March 2014, 17:20

Don't try starting it with the coilpack disconnected. You'll flood the cylinders with fuel and that'll remove what little oil is left on the bores and rings.

31st March 2014, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisB

Don't try starting it with the coilpack disconnected. You'll flood the cylinders with fuel and that'll remove what little oil is left on the bores and rings.

Hence why I said disconnect the fuel pump too ;-)

31st March 2014, 10:47

I left a car for two years, only thing I did was put it on axle stands and kept the battery charged. No issues at all.

Engines don't seize in a matter of months, it'll need to be stood for 10+ years to seize up if it's been looked after. We restore classic motors that have been stood for half a century sometimes. Still fire up after a few turns by hand and some fresh fuel.

Before the unlucky few pop up - I realise some of you might've experienced something different with your engine seizing up. But I'd suggest that the oil level was too low or there's water getting in.

31st March 2014, 14:38

my race car has been stood for months since january (on stands) battery disconnected and i know for a fact when i hit the start button itll start no problem, dads land rover hadnt been started in 3+ years, dizzy arm back on, battery back on, pump the throttle, choke and turn the key

goes first time everytime, take it for a lap round the block, front hub seals leaking as they have for the past 8 years and thats exactly as it was.

on stands, disconnect battery, car cover, forget about it

1st April 2014, 20:53

I am buying a saxo that has been sat for ten years at my grandads. He put a new battery in and it started fine yes I know old petrol and oil ( now been changed ) the gear linkages snapped on the way to the MOT but if it was given a look over and lubed up I carnt see any problems rising

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2nd April 2014, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by holdawayt

I left a car for two years, only thing I did was put it on axle stands and kept the battery charged. No issues at all.

Engines don't seize in a matter of months, it'll need to be stood for 10+ years to seize up if it's been looked after. We restore classic motors that have been stood for half a century sometimes. Still fire up after a few turns by hand and some fresh fuel.

Before the unlucky few pop up - I realise some of you might've experienced something different with your engine seizing up. But I'd suggest that the oil level was too low or there's water getting in.

Thanks. It started and ran no problem the other day after 6 months no use. It has been well looked after and is left under a car porch while I'm away

2nd April 2014, 13:43

When I purchased my saxo it had been stood for a year. It started with a bump start but needed a new coil pack, spark plugs and brakes and a full service