Folks - I opted for the spare tyre on my new plus four - to my surprise the only tools I got were a wheel brace and a can of goo!! What do I do on a dark night when I get a puncture which the goo won’t handle - what is the point of supplying a spare tyre without the means to use it??
What does the TM crew make of this? Was I meant to get a jack? Did anyone else get the tools to put the auto box into neutral as described in the owners manual?
Cheers

I noticed this in the Owner's Manual:

"Wheels should be changed at a Morgan dealership where the vehicle can be raised using specialist equipment."

- page 42 in the PDF copy I downloaded.

Is the can of goo just the sort you can buy at Halfords? My last two daily drivers have had a more sophisticated pump and liquid in a bottle system rather than just an aerosol can. My Elise just came from the factory with a cheap aerosol can that you can buy anywhere.

Jon - yes I saw that, but it surely is ridiculous to supply a car with a spare wheel and not supply the means to use it- while the manual says as you point out, it also mentions jacking points and gives a drawing showing them!

When I received my New Plus Four, it only had the spanner and hammer, but no can of goo. The tools for auto locking the box where also missing, I’ve had to ask the garage for them, and I will have to return the car as there is no hole for the locking tool anyway. As to jacking the car, I will carry a scissor jack, just in case.

I would go back to the dealer as a first contact.

Indeed it is. Great work MMC!! No tonneau cover and now no jack when you've paid for a spare wheel.

The tool to unlock the box is in the leather thing (i dont know the name in english) where the manual and the documents of the car are.

A tip I was given by a RAC fitter was to carry a jack even if you have no spare as the sealing goo works best if the wheel is spun after adding the goo and before fully inflating the tyre.
Has anyone else come across this advice?

The Auto Box unlocking make me happy that the auto box on the Plus 8 is old fashioned enough that it can be put into neutral, as long as there is battery power.

I got the spare wheel, spanner, hammer and can of goo. I also got the two metal tools to put the autobox into neutral. Must confess I don’t carry the latter around at present coz I can’t see much point-you could never get sufficiently far under the car by the roadside to make use of them, unless you have arms like an orang-utan. Seems to me it would need to be in the air already to get them/it inserted...
Must admit it’s a bit of a puzzler...
HB

No metal tools came with my car and the same is the position with the other demo car that the dealer has. I’m baffled as is the dealer!!

I also wondered where the jack was. Mine came with spanner, hammer and tyre weld can. Has your dealer asked MMC about it?

Tom - yes, he has sent them an email, but we all know how speedy responses to emails are in Pickersley Road!!!

Krazy Horse told me they didn't come with tools as there was nowhere to put them. That was at the arrival of the first demo car.

I would carry the auto-box tweeker in the car, if you have a failure that requires a flat bed recovery truck (and you haven't got the tool) they will potentially drag it up with the winch with the drivetrain & rear wheels locked...not nice to watch

Noted. But how would they reach far enough to insert the ruddy thing/s? I was told that it has to be somewhere slap bang in the middle of the car underneath. Actually thinking about it I guess they would have to Jack up one side of the car a bit then slide underneath...answered my own question there...!
HB

It’s a bit like “ There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Lisa,dear Lisa” etc. etc.!!!

Yep, you've got it

The neutral comment is a surprise. I thought the auto box was the ubiquitous ZF 8 speeder. I had one in my F type and there was no issue putting it into neutral.

Can you not push a plus 4 about in the garage for example?

On the goo instructions you inflate then immediately drive 5 - 7 miles to seal.
Auto gearbox locks if you lose total electrical power as I understand it so don’t see how battery would help if no electrics.

On the Aero auto the gear selector can only be moved with the ignition on and a foot on the brake.
Another joy, if the electrics pack up with the key in the ignition you cannot remove the key as again, the car must be in Park to remove the key.
So, with no battery power the car is immobile.

So basically the car is stuck on the side of the road with the key in the ignition waiting for a thief with his own tow truck to take it and put a new battery in.

I remember parking an automatic car on a steep slope and couldn't get the key out as for some reason it thought it was not in park even when I pushed up on the gear lever to try make it was certainly as far into park as it could get. Ended up driving 3 miles and then walking back just trying to find a parking spot not on such a slope. I was tempted to park in the same spot facing downhill but the police in that area are very strict about not parking facing the wrong way and would very likely have booked me. Just another one of the reasons all my cars are manual and will be until I have to replace them with electric.

Picked up my Plus Four in September, no jack, aerosol, hammer and centre wheel nut spanner. I have Alloys!
Bought a scissor jack and modified the top contact plate to ‘flat’ added rubber packing.
I don’t like the aerosol as you loose the tyre regardless.

I've used a product similar to this to repair a tyre:

https://www.autoseal.co.uk/about-2/

but it is designed to be installed before you have a problem. I believe it can be washed out later if required.

I also have autoseal in my Supersport but be aware it can cause front wheel balance..

The large volume +4SS tyres required 375 ml per tyre..but had to reduce fronts to 325ml to bring back into balance.

As Jon says it can be washed out easily if required

Capta2 - I also have alloys and have decided to purchase a scissors jack and modify as you have. I e mailed the factory and, to be fair, got a prompt reply(!) which gave short shift and said that “they decided not to supply a jack with the CX cars”.They said they would revisit the situation and come up with a more coherent solution- but no jack was forthcoming!

Cheers!

I can only say that I wish I had known this before I decided to swap my Roadster in for a Plus Four. Like others I have paid a lot of money for a spare wheel and now find I won't have the tools to change it in the event of a puncture. Having had a classic Plus 4 and Roadster I, foolishly it now appears, assumed there would be the storage place under the rear shelf with the tools including a jack in it. I've had Morgans for seven years and have covered nearly 50,000 miles in them in that time which acrtually is only really six years due to Covid. How do I now continue to do that sort of mileage here and sur le continent without the means to change a wheel? How are you guys planning to overcome this issue. And BTW did MMC really say there's nowhere to put a jack so we don't provide one?

I don't understand the issue regarding regarding lack of Neutral on this gearbox at all. My wife now has her second BMW with this gearbox and it has Neutral. How come the Plus Four doesn't?

Could you get a small scissor jack, wrap it in something and tuck it under the spare wheel maybe? As the car is so light you might be able to find a really small one.

But you're right, for MMC to design and sell a car that can't carry the means of changing a wheel shows just how out of touch they are with people who like to drive long distances.

That’s what the previous owner of my 4/4 Sport did Tim. He bought a small scissor Jack and handle kit from Halfords and I ‘liberated’ one of the Memsahibs hessian Bag for Life’s as it stopped rattles and protected the car. Tied it all into a small bundle with a luggage bungy.

BR
Colin

just done something similar - found a scissor jack on ebay that's just 36cm long. it will fit inside the wheel, so I can store it in the gap behind the spare wheel holder.

Small Jack

OK so my Mog is not a CX, but it came with a sturdy pouch with a Velcro latching closing flap which holds a scissor jack, it`s separate operating handle and a wheel/lug nut spanner and to finish it off it has a Morgan flash sewn on.... I am unsure if it was something Kevin made up when he rebuilt the Mog or if it was available commercially.

The mindset of "no supplied jack" must be from a person or group incapable of changing a wheel.

Or the judgement is that Owners of CX cars are incapable of changing a wheel.

Unless no jack is now the industry standard.

Yes these under bonnet toolboxes are by far the better arrangement with the Terry clips for the jack handle just above it on the firewall, a pair of jeans wrapped around the jack and a combination spanner set stops them rattling around.

No need to pull the carpet and lift the saddle board, so a better arrangement altogether.

My 2009 4/4 Sport brand spanking new had absolutely no tools whatsover or anywhere to put anything.
So I made my own arrangements and put them behind the passenger seat.

Back on thread I suspect MMC are aiming for the "new" customer base millennials that will always get a man/woman in and never get their hands dirty.

That may be the reason, but if MORGAN wants to act in a modern way, they should look at the VAG Group, for example.

VAG have a breakdown kit as standard. If a spare wheel is ordered instead of the breakdown kit, the VAG Group also supplies a sissor jack with a suitable storage facility.

Someone who claimed to know about these things told me that the powers that be consider people changing wheels at the roadside are in a very dangerous situation and so these powers are doing everything to stop it happening. Safer to call a recovery truck.
Another person who also claimed to know about these things told me that it's simply to lose weight and therefore produce higher mpg figures plus claiming greater luggage space(where the spare wheel would have been).
Nick

Thanks for the feedback Tim - much appreciated. It may well solve the problem albeit the problem should not have existed in the first place. As you say I don't think anybody with long distance touring experience had any inout into the design of the CX cars. I wrote to Steve Morris on the subject last year specifically regarding the lack of internal storage facilities e.g. door pockets.He said that there were things in the pipeline and in fairness the internal lock box is now available. Pity I was blissfully unaware that the tool provision and storage space I had enjoyed in both my Plus 4 and Roadster have now gone. I never thought about asking. That would be like asking a hotel is they provided toilet paper when you make a booking ;-)

Best regards,

John

Yes I agree, we have always been happy for over 30 years with the way VAG manage such things in a responsible manner.

A lot of that has a ring of truth about it in the way they fiddle the figures, most manufacturers of course not just MMC.

When I purchased my Plus 8 in 1998 long door version, it came with the jack handle tucked between the two bonnet half’s and the scissor jack was wrapped in brown paper and placed behind the passenger seat from the factory.
I purchased a jack bag from Heart of England many years ago got it, and which I now carry in my CX Plus Four, a new scissor jack and a 1/2 adapter for the ratchet and all fit in the bag……..Which now lives behind the passenger seat again.

I guess your battery is where my stainless toolbox is, my battery is under the saddle board on the drivers side helping weight distribution.

The battery was in the back, same as yours, the stainless steel toolbox was under the driver’s side bonnet, the toolbox was to small to hold the jack that the factory provided.

That's interesting as mine fits perfectly, hey it's a Morgan...

I suspect it may be possible that Heart of England may have been the supplier of my Mogs jack bag, given Kevin may have bought all of the SS extras at HoE which he used in the reassembly of my Mog..?

They sell them at Morgan Spare USA but can't find one in the UK Jack Bag

MMC sell a leather tool bag........

https://www.morgan-motor.com/product/small-leather-toolbag-embossed-with-morgan-wings-2/

https://www.morgan-motor.com/product/small-leather-toolbag-embossed-with-morgan-wings/

Two sizes....the first link is large even though it says small.

John, assuming the rear woodwork is similar to Trads, some have swopped to keeping the jack & wheel brace tied to the spare wheel bracketry

It put me off the lack of any storage space at all. I guess you could make a box for the rear shelf

No that was us, the Aero owners. we could not risk damaging our nail polish.

or laddering our stockings!

Speak for yourself, Alistair, but the problem I have is the Aero wheels and tyres are so heavy and large I can't lift the things.
I's an age thing, I suspect.

Oops sorry, I didn't mean to start anything ...
What are you boys like

Apologies if this was covered and I missed it, but I was having a good look at a MY22 Plus Four and there was a jack supplied with the car. Said CX was only just delivered to the retailer and in the foot well was the tyre repair/tool pouch and a second pouch that contained a scissor jack. Interestingly the pouch for the jack and a lovely Morgan logo stitched into it.

So it seems MMC have been listening.

I collected my MY22 Plus Four from Krazy Horse on 3rd September 2021 and it came with both those pouches/items. Apparently you only get the jack if you take the spare wheel option.

Can you give me the dimensions of the jack in the closed position? I wasn't lucky enough to get one on my plus four. I will surely find one on a production car.
I will tell you on which car they are delivered.

I only took a passing glance at the jack and it appeared to be a normal slim scissor jack. Hopefully JJR can confirm.

It is a normal scissor jack with a rubber block bearing a Morgan logo that should be glued to the face that goes against the jacking point. My rubber block was loose in the case. But it is a handmade quality product of course. I wonder if they are all like that.

I am on holiday in the Lakes at the moment sadly not in the Morgan. I will measure the jack at the weekend and post the info.

Best regards,

John

Whilst mine is a 4/4 not a Plus Four. The scissor jack that came with it is virtually impossible to use. Basically it is too small & the thread too coarse. Suggest you try yours out before having to for real.

By nature of design all scissor jack's are at lowest mechanical advantage when operated from collapsed. Thoroughly grease threads and confirm you can use it in an emergency.

Had to use mine whilst on holiday and jacking car on gravel but it did work, just

Sage advice indeed.
I attempted to change a flat for a friend, whilst on tour.
The jack was so stiff as to make it almost impossible to use...not rust, simply unused and with no lubrication
Having got the car up, I then went to retrieve the spare wheel only to find that is was secured with a thick bowden cable and padlock. The padlock was too corroded for the key to turn and no one had a cutter suitable for the cable...so RAC to the rescue and a wasted hour or two!

Hi Gaston,

I'm back at home and here is the information on the jack. It is a Sealey Model 57m one tonne heavy duty scissor jack.
Dimensions: Closed length 373mm, Minimum height 90mm, Maximum Height 325mm. The scissor mechanism is 45mm wide.

Here is the link to the Sealey website for further information: https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637173367/1tonne-heavy-duty-scissor-jack

The photo below shows the two bags you mentioned and their contents. I also carry one of Peter Mulberry's excellent spanners.

Hope this helps,

Best regards,

John

Thank you John.

I am a little unsure now. At the beginning of this thread was written that no jack is supplied with the PlusFour. Now there are two bags with it and in one is a jack. What is correct now?

You get a jack now

You lucky Plus Four owners. Try buying a Plus Six and you don't get a jack or wheel spanner. Not even a can of sealant! Just a note to say if you get a flat tire then call for roadside assistance.
Kerry

It would have been nice if the factory supplied a jack to the owners who got cars without one!! I have purchased a jack similar to the one above but with a little motor that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and does the twisting for you - best of Chinese!!!

Hi Robbie,

I am intrigued. A cigarette lighter socket in a 2021 Plus Four!?

I have a 2022 Plus Four but two USB sockets; no 12V Hella socket? Did you retrofit the Hella socket? I ask as I have a small compressor which I intend to take when touring and was going to wire a Hella socket in for said purpose. I also note that Ring offer a portable battery compressor which can be charged off a 5V USB socket.

If you’re looking for a non wired alternative to the socket powered air compressor, I have been using this for a year and it’s brilliant. Wireless and cordless and charges from usb. Highly recommend for ease of use and peace of mind.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oasser-Inf...psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_bia_rpt_ba_s_1_sc

There are adapters from USB to cigarette lighter.

Amazon Link

Andymog 57 -- My Plus four was produced before the change to USB sockets so I have a lighter socket to which I can plug an adaptor with USB sockets for the sat nav etc.!!
Cheers!

I use one of these - image link

That's what I need!

I would have preferred a hella socket as I use hella to USB adaptors on my motorcycles and have them at hand. Nevertheless, 2 x USB sockets are also welcome, I use one to power my mobile telephone and use that in turn as a satnav.

Just noticed maximum output is 8W, whereas my compressor is rated at 18W.

Yes that lead appears to be trying to get blood put of a stone. USB sockets give nominally 5 volts in the 1 to 3 amp range. Give the loss in the voltage convertor you would be very lucky to get even the 8 watts mentioned.

If you don't have a cigar lighter socket and need a 12 volt up to 15 amp supply fit a Hella style socket and wire it in to a 15 -20 amp fused battery supply. Cigar lighter sockets are rubbish.

Me too - I've got one of these too - beats the wired up ones easily.

I have a Ford mini compressor kit with tyre goo for punctures, which I carry in the Plus 6. It uses the standard male type power connector that goes into a cigarette lighter socket. In order to get around the power needed I found on ebay a female connector with several metres of extension lead and crocodile clips on the other end. As a CX gen cars battery is easy access under the bonnet you can clip it to the battery terminals directly and still power a small 12v compressor. The only word of warning is to make sure the extension wiring is big enough for the power draw needed. The variants from China were too small a wire gauge, in the end I purchased one that was made in Germany, slightly more expensive but it was rated to handle the power draw.

Agreed. I had already thought that this is the only sensible option. I already have the necessary hardware and will make up a small fused harness which I will permanently connect to the battery.

Which I have now manufactured and fitted with interchangeable plugs so exchange between trickle charger and power for compressor is a few seconds work.
So, now all I have to do is find somewhere to stash the compressor, the jack, the can of goo, the spanner etc. Pity there is no quick and easy access to the cover over the spare wheel well. Plenty of space there!

Call me old fashioned - but I have a little compressor for tyre inflation - I have to lift the bonnet and use the croc clips on the ends of the wires...

I dont have a CX, is the issue with getting the car into neutral if you have battery failure? Would a jump start power pack give you power to select neutral? I have a Ring Fast Charge jump start 360 which is good for starting a small tractor or M3W.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/92728/best-mini-jump-starter-packs-2022