Winter drive

[Ulf]

Snow is suddenly gone again, it's dry and sunny and I plan to take the Pagoda out for a spin tonight - it has been standing since late October with no preparation (no time, sorry). Would it be a good idea to remove the spark plugs and drip a few drops of or a spray of WD40 into the holes, let it sit for a while and then start her up? Or should I just drive?

Ulf

[Iconic]

For years (over 25 years on one of my cars) I've let my cars sit for 3 to 5 months every winter. I just make sure the battery is good and start them up.
BUT, I am very curious to hear what others have to say.

[J. Huber]

I'd start her up and go.

[thelews]

More important than starting it, is driving it.  Make sure it gets good and warmed up for a bit before shutting her down, at least 1/2 hour.

Do you have salt out there?   Will salt dust be getting into all the cracks?

[stickandrudderman]

If you want to be extra cautious, pull off the king lead and crank the engine until the oil pressure comes up.
When you do drive her be sure to work her reasonably hard, she'll thank you for it later.
Always leave the car with a full tank of fuel if you intend to leave her for any length of time. This is to reduce the amount of air in the fuel tank as air contains water which will condense inside the tank, settle at the bottom and rot the tank out, as well as contaminate the injection pump when you do come to start her.

[J. Huber]

We are dealing with what, less than three months? I think all should be about as it was when you stored it. In the old days -- many moons ago, mine would sit for a couple months here and there. Usually started right up... However, it is very true that these cars love to be driven -- and the less downtime the better; in my opinion. My intervals are much less now and everyone's happy!

I'd probably head to a service station first off -- just to check tires, take a look at the oil and trans levels, and top off the tank. Then if your into it -- check the dwell, timing etc.. if you suspect rough running. Otherwise -- have fun!!

[reggie]

Fired mine up today, Been stood since late november, Just let it idle untill it got warm, Then sat in it holding the revs at 2,000 ish for 10 mins, Then quick blast to clear its throat, Back to sleep untill a niice clear day, Back to the toyota for now.

[thelews]

Not something I'd do.  Just a lot of condensation created in the oil, exhaust and muffler from inefficient burning.  Not to mention poorly burned gas emissions mixing in with the oil.

Put it away with fresh oil, full tank of gas with stabilizer, extra air in the tires and a battery maintainer and leave it alone until you can REALLY drive it.

[ja17]

Yes, driving the car does some nice things......brake master cylinder and calipers move and lubricate, the exhaust, the brake fluid and engine oil expel some moisture,  the engine, transmission and rear  diff mechanisms get lubed, seals get fresh coat of lubricant, square tires become round again, linkages get exercise before they get a chance to stick, fuel circulates allowing  electric fuel pumps and fuel injection pumps to remain functional in all speed ranges, any rodents taking up residence will bail out at the first traffic light!

[Ulf]

Thanks for all your replies, guys - I simply decided to fire her up with not preparation and she started right away - just a little steam from the exhaust, took her for a 35 minute drive and everything worked like a charm - I've really missed driving her!
There were no salt on the roads as the entire ran out of road salt a couple weeks ago, it rained quite heavily last week and now everything is dry and salt-free. The tank was full when I put it away in October, so no condensation either.
It's quite remarkable that a 46 year old car will just fire up after sitting in a garage in sub-zero temperatures for 3 months - my previous MGA would have required a far more elaborate resuscitation with start gas, jump leads (clear!) and a very precise operation of the choker...

Ulf

[reggie]

Forgot to say, my garage is heated, And its a Mecedes, Dont think it's going to break anytime soon - 

[Ulf]

Hope you're knocking on wood right now, Reggie :-)

[reggie]

No need to touch wood, 40 year old, 87k miles, Its done a fair bit of standing about, There a bit like women - start fussing over them and spoiling them, they let you down, The garage is heated for me, Some people go over the top with these cars, do what you have to do, BUT DRIVE IT, Thats what they was made for,

[Peter van Es]

Drove mine this weekend for 2 hours or so, giving her a good workout (120 kms, varied roads, different speeds, slow warmup... etc). You can still see it's dirty from the last rally (look at the sticker mark on the door) and still without its hubcaps, but it enjoyed the drive all the same, as did I.

Peter

[knockmacool]

Did 70 miles today, there is still frost on the drive, but the roads are dry and the sun is bright. Overtaken by brand new SL and took it all the way up to 4500 revs. Very restorative

[Ulf]

Just wanted to share a little disgusting secret with you guys. Before taking the car out, I actually licked the road surface to judge whether the salt was gone or not. It didn't taste good, but not salty. Rinse with bottled water, spit and drive!
Dedication or slight insanity? - You'll be the judges...

[Larry & Norma]

Wow - such dedication, i'm impressed I think

[dseretakis]

Just wanted to share a little disgusting secret with you guys. Before taking the car out, I actually licked the road surface to judge whether the salt was gone or not. It didn't taste good, but not salty. Rinse with bottled water, spit and drive!
Dedication or slight insanity? - You'll be the judges...

the judges rule that you are insane:) I will have to tell this story to my girlfriend who constantly gives me a hard time when I perform all kinds of acrobatics to avoid salty puddles when driving a freshly cleaned car on salty roads.

[jacovdw]

...Dedication or slight insanity?

A bit of both I guess, but I would rather rinse my mouth with Listerine instead of bottled water...