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MG MGB Technical - Storing a Car?

Sorry Guys

I posted this one on the midget Technical Board, the reply's were little use I am afraid, got the usual crap about using the car etc etc etc etc etc, thought someone here may be able to help. Sorry it has no actual B content!

(I have a 1500 Midget that has been totally restored and is only used in summer, not every summer I might add!

It lives in a carcoon bubble in the garage and the battery is on trickle charge. (I know, I know -- Should be used more, garage queen etc etc etc.....)

Oh its also on axle stands. Sometines it doesn't get started too often.

Before it goes out for the summer it gets a full service and if needed a good waxoyle.

What should I be doing in between? I got a little concerned as I understand lots of bits can fail if not used)

Thanks

Simon
Simon

Simon,

The main problem with storage is damp - does your carcoon have a drier as part of the air circulating system? If not I would get some silica gel and put in in open trays under the car.

Most of the things recommended for storage are to do with combatting the damp - e.g. running the engine till it is hot or coating the chrome with wax.

I have a Midge in my fleet and it stands still for long periods of time without any problems.
Chris at Octarine Services

Simon,

You have caused quite a stir! and I'm in use it camp so not tried any products available.

I like the idea of an ester oil as this clings so avoiding potential dry starts.

The products for storage should be available from Frost's etc, perhaps you could research them and let us know what you think. Could also consider Silicone brake fluid if not already using it.

Paul
Paul

Here in Michigan...mice are a very real problem...I've been using three or four boxes of MOTHBALLS which I empty into coffee cans and place one each in the footwells and motor compartment and boot. Then put the hood up and put the side windscreens on both doors before putting the cover on. I've been very lucky with this process and have not had anything chewed up yet even though I had other items eaten and found nests in the pole barn where cars they are stored during the winter months. Check John Twist's University Motors Website it has a good article on winter storage. Also consider putting a heavy plastic sheet under your MG even with a cement floor it helps to keep moisture from coming up under your car....IMHO...
Thomas Koch

Cheers Guys

Much better advise on this side of the board!

The university motors advise seems good, cheers Thomas.

Paul, I didnt mean to cause a stir it just kinda happened!

Simon
Simon

Simon, I too do what Tom suggests.... place moth balls in and around inside/outside. Plus place a heavy gauge plastic drop cloth down to reduce the amount of moisture from under the car (unheated garage). I've never plugged the exhaust, but I've heard about doing that too. I like to give my 79MGB a nice coat of wax. Note: I put the top up so air can circulate and prevent dry rot or mold. The PO never did that, although the top looked new it dry rotted from lack of use. So I have a new top that I use very little, but It's up in the winter. (sometimes when the roads are clear I must admit I take it for a spin... 20 -25 miles after the Sunday Paper).

When the 79 MGB "rests" during the worst part of the winter, I read... of course about MG's.

Kindest regards,
Don from Pa.
Donald Wheeler

I just brought my 1978 MGB out of storage after a two-year stint of "non-use".

It was in an unheated commercial storage unit with a concrete floor and parked on a plastic tarp and covered by a good quality (California Custom) cloth car cover. The battery was disconnected and fuel preservative in the tank.......

The clutch was NOT seized...the brakes were NOT seized...in fact, the rotors were not even rusted!

Fuel appears to be a problem, but will easily be sorted out. Battery (even though disconnected) has gone to the hereafter.

I had some cedar chips in the interior and Decon (rat/mice poison known as warfarin) spread on the perimeter.

Yes...I abused this car by not driving it...but she appears to be very forgiving.

FWIW...

rick
1978 MGB
1969 MGC
1974.5 MGB/GT V8 conversion
rick ingram

Simon
You don't say where you are/what climate you are protecting from.

I would go with the advice here allied to the UM's and simply add that since dirt attracts water, a thorough clean on the inside, polish the outside and pressure clean the underside.

It's not really necessary to block cars nowadays but add a few PSI to the tyres in case you've got a slow.

You can simply drive a clean and dry, well maintained/rust protected car car into a well ventilated garage. Disconnect/trickle charge the battery, open the windows and walk away.

Going on from Chris' point about a drier. I would go further and say that unless there is a lot else going on in your garage to create dust - the midget is better off without it - air circulation or a drier is the only important thing.

Define 'well maintained ' ? All the usual things + Change the brake fluid every few years - (avoid silicon) - protect the stone chips.

FWIW

Roger

Yes - our family uses our MGBs all the year round -- but enforced storage has never been a prob.
RMW

Roger

Don't want to get started down this road again, but why do you say avoid silicon? Without silicon, the brakes on my TD froze up every winter. Since I put silicon in (over 25 years ago) they are perfect and have never leaked. My 67 BGT will get this done to it as soon as I get at it this winter.

I use an engine fogging oil in each cylinder prior to storing the car. I do this last. Used to put the car on jack stands, but now don't and move it a little each month or so.

Mothballs and decon for the mice.
Bruce Cunha

Sorry, but I have a heated garage which is normally 55 deg in the winter and dry. This also becomes a warm haven for rodents like mice and chipmunks. I have found that high strength ammonia in an open bottle, in the car will keep the critters out of the interior and a few of those scented clothes dryer stips under the hood discourage the most ardent nesters.
The best MGB food storage is in the little niche next to the brake master cyl. I often find seeds stored there and vacumn them out.
69 MGB
54 TF
colin stafford

Bruce - have a look at the archives - silicon fluid is apparently not all good news.

With regard to freezing brakes; I don't know at what temp DOT4 fluid freezes but it would need to be much colder than the scandinavian Winter. However, water ingress must changes the properties - to cause rusting and as you point out, to freeze. This highlights the downside of DOT4 oil and the point I was really making that it needs to be changed at regular (if infrequent) intervals.

Of course - there will be other views.

Roger
RMW

I don't think I'd want open ammonia in my car. Ammonia fumes are corrosive. Moth balls seem to work just as well. An aggressive cat does the trick here, even though I really don't store my cars--(they seldom get driven during the height of the summer, though) critters still look for some indoor shelter during the cool and rainy months.
R. L Carleen

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2004 and 22/11/2004

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