Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Starting after layup

I shall be taking my 4.8 +8 for an oil change and MOT next week. It has been on SORN since September last year and has not been started since then.... it's on a battery conditioner and I assume the battery is fine.

Is there anything I should do after such a long layup? Or is it fine to just turn the key and go?

I generally think modern low mileage engines and modern oils cope with this situation quite well - but I'm always open to suggestions!

Before doing anything I would carry out initial brake checks, just by rocking it back and forward to ensure the brakes are free... if not driving a few miles on a partially sticking brake can boil the fluid and you end up with no brakes, other than the hand brake... if it works.

If it rolls freely, then you might apply the brakes to check for pressure, and then again roll it back and forward to check the brakes are reasonably free, if that is all ok you can then carry out a similar process on the handbrake check it`s operation in restricting movement and that it too frees off when released, for if you end up with boiled fluid you may at least have some stopping power...

for sure I could go on and on, but I will exit here and leave the rest to others with more experience..

Good luck, and stay safe.

Tyre pressure check. Check all the fluids in case of leaks. If you can turn over the engine without it starting then you can get all around the engine.
If you didn't add petrol stabiliser I would add new fuel ASAP.
Check the lights, reversing light, rear fog and indicators all work.

I would recommend StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. Completely eradicated the rough running problems I was having after a lay up.

I hope when you laid it up you either kept the wheels off the ground or over inflated them to prevent flat spots, otherwise add a few lbs above normal pressure to the tyres for their first run. I agree with turning the engine without starting to get the oil recirculating, then run the fuel pump 3 times without starting before start up. My Moggies hibernate for almost 7 months every year due to weather and road conditions so quite used to this.

Hi.
Our Plus 4 had many months ‘mothballed’, with an initial period on overly inflated tyres (35lbs I think, whereas usually 23lbs for normal driving). After that, up on jack stands with wheels off the ground. During the earlier period with higher tyre pressures, I went for a drive and you can see the effect of this in my Movie and Video forum ‘thread’ ... around about page 3 and headed, Greasy roads and Oversteer. So don’t forget to adjust pressures back to where they should be.

I would remove the fuel pump fuse before turning the engine over, just to build up some oil pressure. Also top up your fuel with V Power or similar afterwards.

Thanks for the tips... much appreciated.

Hi John, received the hose a couple of days ago so just waiting for an opportunity to fit. In relation to your comment above about adding fuel stabiliser, should this be done for all cars that are stored for a period of time? My 04 roadster been sorn since November, and was last fuelled with esso synergy. I'm just wondering if not adding the stabiser is causing its rough idling, as I've only started the engine a couple of times to warm up whilst it's off the road.

I filled up on Christmas eve, and had half a tank left. By March the fuel had gone off and was running really rough. Chucked in some Valvemaster Plus in the first top up and still popped and farted.

Stuck in some StarTron Enzyme stuff , left it for a few days and all rough running has now gone.