A sad day for Ethel - time to be tucked in for winter

[fueltheburn]

I have made the desicion to take my Excel off the road for the next 5 or 6 months. She will be in storage and run out every few weeks just to keep things moving but there are too many jobs that require doing to keep it going as an every day car at the moment....a sad day I think you will agree.
She will be back with avengeance though in March. New rad, manual steering rack, electric water pump, new brakes, windscreen, door beams, window frames, throttle bodies, rebuilt engine, new alloys and tyres and anything else in between.

A necessary evil

[crofty1984]

Oh thank God - I thought you'd mistyped "Hethel" then!
Concentrate on the "necessaryness" rather than the "evilness".

[fueltheburn]

Oh thank God - I thought you'd mistyped "Hethel" then!
Concentrate on the "necessaryness" rather than the "evilness".

Whoops sorry. I called her Ethel partly as a nod and other reasons. I used to live within 3 miles of Hethel when I first bought the car. The first day it ever threw a wobbly was 5 hours before I left for Aberdeen, it blew out a rocker cover bolt out from a weakened thread. I guess she didn't want to leave

[chrisw2811]

Wymondham side or Mulbarton / Tacolneston way? I used to live in Barnham Broom (and before that in the golden triangle in Norwich) where I formed my deep affection for all things Lotus

[AndyC]

Chris. If you were to draw a line from golden triangle to Barnham Broom where I live isn't far from the mid point. Up until a year ago a few of my cars used to reside in a barn near Barnham Broom, Brandon Parva which is just across the bridge. At various points, in that barn I had Riley Elf, Westfield, Scimitar, Landy 90, Landy 110, Turbo Esprit, Excel and Europa Special, although no more than 4 at a time.
Andy

[chrisw2811]

Hi Andy, it's a small world. We used to cycle through Brandon Parva to visit friends (and have a few drinks) in Mattishall. My brother in law still lives near Wicklewood. It would be great to catch up when we're next over your way.

[AndyC]

Just let me know we can meet up for a pint although I'll not be cycling anywhere.

[fueltheburn]

I used to live in Bunwell, next village on from Tackleneston(however you say it). At the big farm opposite the reclaimation yard. Was staying with friends, had the benefit of a car lift

Just out of interest.....Does anyone know the correct procedure for putting a car to bed over winter i.e full fuel tank or empty?
Anything else to consider?

[DWH]

I would always fill the tank to stop any moisture in the air corroding the tank from the inside, but add a stabiliser / preservative such as Frost's POR15 product
http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-tanks ... -pint.html
Either put the car on axle stands or over pressurise the tyres by about 40% to reduce flat spots.
Give the car a good wash and wax.
Store the car in a garage. All our storage facilities are dehumidified and we leave the car windows down to keep the interiors dry.
The Carcoon products (which we sell) work very well and there is an outdoor version available too, a Size 4 which would accommodate the Excel would cost £500 inc VAT and delivery.
Change the oil and filter to get rid of all the contaminants.
Use a battery conditioner or trickle charge the battery periodically.
You could slacken the drive belts too, just depends how far you want to go and whether you want to run the car periodically. If you do, don't run for less than 15 minutes (to make sure you get rid of all the condensation in the engine and exhaust) and don't leave unattended and at idle as the iol pressure will be at it's lowest. Vary the engine speed between idle and say 2000 rpm.
Good luck with the hibernation !

[fueltheburn]

Thanks for the advice - Thats what I was looking for in reagrds to condensation and stabilisers.
Not so worried about flat spots as the tyres will be junked after the car is woken up in march.
I will try and periodically take the excel out every month just to keep things like brakes moving and not seize.
Realistically I may look at selling it once it comes out of hibernation.
Ethel has done her job in keeping me occupied and sane for the last 9 months...... might be time to move her on after I have installed the radiator, hoses, new rear calipers, brake discs, pads, shoes and throttle bodies