dog321fish Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 My Manta is up on blocks in an unheated garage till next spring. Is it better to start it up monthly to keep the engine moving or just leave it be until spring? It has "fresh" antifreeze in it. The battery is removed and on a trickle charger at home. Thoughts appreciated. Cheers Dave S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 no need to start it up at all. better to leave it untill when you are ready to use it again. obviously different people will have a view on this but unless you end up running it for a long while to get EVERYTHING up to temp it will only encourage condensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 (edited) Thanks cam.in.head for the reply. Cheers Edited December 14, 2012 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzta Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I would drain it for gasoline as well. Gas has an expire date, and it will be a possible problem maker later on.. I wouldnt do more to it than that, but when spring comes and the car is going back on wheels i would put in fresh gas, check up on the thermostate make sure it moves and is 100% ok, vent the coolant system, put in fresh oil and filter. Then you are set for a problem free summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 Thanks monzta i am aware fuel degrades, The Manta gets an oil and filter change annually regardless if it has done 200 or 2000 miles. I also have a Z650 motorcycle and frequently have to drain the carb bowls to draw in fresh fuel to start it due to infrequent use! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 My Manta is still starting on fuel about 4 years old. I have pulled Mantas outnof a shed before sitting that long and they started on the old fuel without problem. Lot of scare mongering about old fuel that I consistently find to be incorrect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 My Manta is up on blocks in an unheated garage till next spring. What exactly do you mean by up on blocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 (edited) Mantadoc Jacked up off the floor and resting on four wooden blocks so as not to get flat spots on the tyres and the same area of the tyre is not in contact with the concrete floor for months. Cheers Edited December 14, 2012 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Supported on axle stands under the jacking points and chassis with wheels dangling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 Would it be better left on the floor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Depends how it is actually supported Axle stands are called axle stands because when people used to put cars up on axle stands they went erm under the axles, so the tyres were off the floor and the weight was on the suspension. Foor some reason people insist on following these old ways even though in most cases it now means that the weight of the cars suspension is dangling on the shocks. . However, it's personal choice if you value your tyres more than your suspension, shocks and bushes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 if the blocks/axle stands are under the suspension (ie under the front arm below the spring / under the rear axle or under the spring seat )then the car will be sitting on its suspension more or less as it would be when on its wheels on the floor.the suspension bushes will be in their NORMAL position.(ie not twisted to their extreme)the weight should not therefore be `hanging` on the shocks. i would have thought this would be the best way to do it. i have also heard of people just inflating the tyres much harder or moving the car an inch or so backward & forward every now & again ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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