Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax SORN

I have a bit of travel coming up and so was going to SORN the S2 over winter this year. First time and not happy but it is realistic, the words "sell it" crossed my lips until I drove it again.

Pump tyres up a bit.
Put roof up to stretch fabric
Battery conditioner
Good clean and dry prior to putting it away
Put cover on it.

However I wondered about the fuel stabiliser ? I understand the 95 E85 petrol can start to change over time. I only use 99/98 octane petrol and am not aware if this also has the same issue?

I was planning to find some Sta-bil if this adds value ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/282452686513

Any advice from the wise crowd out there ?

This review is for marine use, but may be of interest

https://www.boatingmag.com/gear/boatinglab-tests-fuel-stabilizers

With respect to ethanol in fuel the position is not that clear for 99/98 octane fuels and I would normally assume that ethanol is present.

Shell Vpower has it. Esso apparently doesn't but it depends upon location. Don't know about the others but when I contacted Shell they told me that as they need to use 5% overall and as they can't exceed 5% in their normal fuels then they have to put 5% in the VPower.

Alistair,
been putting mine away for years OCT -APRIL I run the tank down to about 1 gallon put extra air in the tyres and move it about in the garage regular . Start it up and let it run till its nice and warm every week also have a cover for it and fit the hood . By the way cover the chrome with hard wax on body and engine ( if any ) wipe it off in spring with white spirit NOT TURPS .
Yes you get the grumps if its a sunny day but up here the days are short and it can get very cold and damp.

I laid up my MGs for many years without too much trouble. Either lift the tyres off the ground or use those tyre keeps, they don't cost much and will help to prevent flat spots.

I would use fuel stabiliser. Interestingly the only time I had trouble with my MGB was when the tank was nearly empty, and the fuel really went off in a big way. After that I always left it with plenty in the tank. Its another example of the brake fluid in a sealed container. If the petrol tank is full, there's far less air for it to react with. Well that's my theory anyway.

I had a clutch stick just once, but managed to free it off. Some say that you should hold the pedal down with a pole.
If its auto it doesn't matter!

I never lay the Mogs up. Life's too short, and I particularly like to get out in the red one on Christmas Eve. I've managed that on half the Christmas Eves since 2008.

This is NOT recommended guys with old style pressed steel tanks, but not so much of an issue with the more modern stainless ones.

Fill the tank up to the top before putting it away. The diurnal temperature changes cause the fuel to "sweat" and water vapour can be released into the space above the fuel level. This can and does (don't ask how I managed to almost ruin a rare 18.5 g Sebring tank on my +4) cause corrosion at any weak points (normally the seams) and you will regret it when you next brim the tank.

IMHO Ethanol in fuel is nothing more than filler. I have seen it eat rubber hoses (in older Morgans) and destroy small engines, and gas tanks. I use ethanol free fuel in all my Morgans and lawn mover. Sta Bil has a 360 product in the US that is supposed to address the gas tank deterioration, above the fuel level.

Cheers,

I swear by my carcoons.
Both my cars go into carcoons for the winter (with some fuel stabiliser) and come out EXACTLY as they went in. Not even a spec of rust on the discs! Best thing since sliced bread IMHO.
Simon

Oh, before people start saying that I should drive them all year, I don’t enjoy driving them in the winter. If I did, I would.
Simon

Absolutely..
There is nothing nicer than an open top Mog on a crisp winter day. A good heater and heated seats just add to the experience.

I never said I was laying up the Coupe up ! Life is too short.