Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Servicing a low mileage 4/4

I bought a 1995 1800 Zetec 4/4 lowline about 6 months ago which had very low mileage and had seen very ittle use over recent years - mileage was just under 7,000. It was fully serviced by the selling Morgan dealer and I have been absolutely delighted with it. The car seems to have loosened up nicely since I bought it having now done just over 2,000 miles. When I check the oil it seems very, very clean and has only required a minimal top up since the service. Tyres are perfect and I have had them looked at by several Morgan drivers.

I am soon to go on a 10 day tour and in any case wondered whether there is anything I should look at or have done. I was wondering whether another oil change might be prudent, bearing in mind its low mileage/useage over recent years and my desire to keep the car for many years to come. I am using good quality Valvoline oil.

I have to say it is running absolutely perfectly with no issues whatsoever but thought it was worth checking with the technical experts on here! I appreciate the advice!

Thank you.

Hi derosa. Its sounds like you have found a very nice 4/4. If the tyres are over 5 years old they start to become dangerous owing to age hardening of the compound. This type of degradation would not be detectable or apparent by simply looking at them.

Yes I am a bit puzzled about what to do with the tyres. Have not been able to ascertain date of manufacture by the DOT code on the side. Both the reputable selling dealer and another dealer have looked at them and said they are in very good condition and do not appear to have hardened at all and that it depends on how long they are kept under what conditions. I keep thinking I will buy some new ones but when i ask well-informed people they look at them and say they look absolutely fine. There is a place advertising in Miscellany Mag saying they do a tyre hardness check? I have had a really close look and there seems no sign whatsoever of cracking or hardening or any degredation though I appreciate such things are not always visible. I think I will do some more work on finding out year of manufacture by taking all DOT code details to a reputable tyre place. Might contact Avon customer care as they would obviously know. I suspect I will keep mulling over this until I just go out and have new ones fitted. I do like good rubber on the road.

I take it you are lubing your kingpins regularly?

Hi Derosa, for what a set of four tyres (5 incl spare) would cost for safety reasons I would not hesitate in changing them, they are the only thing between you and the road, nothing worse than having a bump or losing control for the sake of a couple of hundred pounds, peace of mind, Ian

You are right. Thank you. I shall check the manufacture date direct with Avon and if in any doubt replace.

Yes. Thanks.

I would certainly change the tyres irrespective of how good they look. Tyres do age and the cost of replacing them compared to most modern cars, is very reasonable and would give you peace of mind.

If you've only done 2000 miles since the last oil change...I assume the filter was changed at the same time, I'd not bother changing the oil before your trip. Any other fluids changed when you bought the car?

Thank you. yes it got the full works. I was wondering that even with an oil change with oil filter 2,000 miles/6 months ago whether after such little use a further change might get rid of anything that had been "flushed out" through it being used - if that makes sense. But as I say the oil on the dipstick is almost clear, not even any black residue. So clear I had to check twice to make sure.

PS Will look out for you in local roads. A pal has also moved here with a Connaught Green +4.