Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Preparation for the winter time

This is my first year with a Morgan and I am going to put him in the garage now. My question is, are you doing anything special to get him through the winter? Do you change the oils now? Do you leave the sundeck raised or do you remove it? What materials do you use to mend cracks in the convertible top? It's a 4 seater from 1981.

Many Thanks
Bernd

Morgan 4/4/ 4 seater build 1981

Hood up - to stop it shrinking. Tyres inflated to a higher pressure. I have mine serviced before winter. Full tank of fuel too.

I also try and use mine through the winter whenever weather permits - at least once a month for a 20-30 mile run out.

I always put a couple of packets of rodent bait in the car and under bonnet ! Found a lovely nest in footwell this spring!

This is my regime:

1) Fill tank: Add in fuel Stabiliser
2) Inflate tyres and drive onto tyre shoes
3) Roof up
4) Clean and dry car
5) Wax car
6) Vaseline bonnet tape
7) ACF 50: beading and running strips
8) Cling film on wiper blades to stop them adhering to windscreen
9) Dehumidifier silica bags in footwells
10) Trickle charger set up
11) Bright duster into exhaust to discourage mice
12) Mouse traps set around car
13) Soft fitted dust cover onto car
14) Switch on garage dehumidifier
15) Close garage and walk away crying
16) Next day think "sod it", undo all of previous work and take car out for a drive

#16 is the right answer. But I do have an electric ultra sonic rodent repeller and I do do lots of jobs listed in 1-14. But when the sun shines I drive it.

#7 . Beware ACF50 on beading. Not the right stuff . Use 3 in 1.

Concentrated peppermint oil is very good for keeping rodents away.

Bud
4/4 - Stanley

Re #7. I have never a problem with AFC50, but others have according to this site.

Apparently some people find their beading goes sticky/slimy with ACF50, but I've never had a problem. I find it penetrates much better than 3in1, so my advice would be ACF50 rather than 3in1.

Which all just goes to show that for a lot of these things, one needs to do one's own research and reach conclusions that are right for you.

This ACF50 comes around every year, I have always used 3 in 1 as per the Morgan handbooks and it has served me well over my 16 years of ownership.

When I had my Plus 8 in for work I asked a very well established and respected Morgan mechanic what he thought about changing to ACF50 from the factory recommended 3 in 1 he just said he had noticed several cars he serviced were displaying signs of sticky beading due to the use of ACF 50, so that made my mind up.

#16 is the most important one we are only here once they are built for enjoying to the full...

Some of my best runs have been in winter on a frosty morning over Dartmoor when nothing else is about