Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 occasional starting during winter?

For those in cold climates with salt on the roads...I will not get my M3W back on the roads until a few spring rains have washed salt off the roads of Chicagoland. Probably not til late April (I am also having shoulder surgery this month, so that factors into my annual 'bring her back from hibernation'). I have usually not touched the vehicle during the winter, but do you advocate starting it and letting her idle for a while periodically? I have generally resisted that, since I figured idling may do more harm than good. No chance to get her out on the roads for at least a few more weeks, and she has sat since November at this point.

I would drain the fuel tank especially if you've had any Ethanol mix Petrol/gas in it, as the ethanol absorbs water.

I would be tempted every two or three months to take the plugs out and turn engine over on starter until oil pressure is up and perhaps more important on this dry sump engine, so the crankcase is scavenged of oil. Remember to re-charge the battery afterwards.

Certainly not starting the engine though unless you are going to take it for a drive.

...but do move it back and forth a bit to avoid tyre flat spots.

Hey Joe, I would drain the engine oil and refill before starting, chances are it will have wet sumped by then.

I appreciate the suggestions. Before winter, I mix fuel stabilizer in and fill the tank, run it through for several miles. I then over-inflate the tires and place them on carpet mats to keep them off the concrete of my frigid garage. I do move it once in a while just to minimize tire flat-spotting. I keep a CTEK hooked up for the battery the entire time, and that has been it until the spring. It has started up easily every year without any issue, going on 5 winters. Sounds like there is plenty more that many of you do than I, so I appreciate the input.