Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) +4 GDI routine maintenance -- what should be done?

Where I live there isn't convenient access to any Morgan specialists or anything like that so I will be having annual service performed on my 2019 +4 by a local garage that has at least some experience with "exotic" cars. My question, if I may impose on the wisdom of the citizens of TM, is what should actually be done on an annual basis?

I assume annual oil and filter change of course, and I can look up other requirements for the Ford 2.0 l engine and the Mazda gearbox. But are there Morgan-specific periodic service items/checks that I should ask the mechanic to perform? (Note: I have learned how to grease the kingpins and already take care of that myself, but I am not at all a mechanical person so will be hiving off the service to someone who at least somewhat knows what they're doing ).

Any guidance gratefully received!

Adam.

Just out of interest, I put your question to ChatGPT:

“That’s a great and very practical question. You’re right that most of the routine servicing on your 2019 Morgan Plus 4 will be driven by the Ford 2.0 Duratec engine and Mazda gearbox service schedules, but there are Morgan-specific considerations that a “regular exotic-car” garage might not automatically think of. Here’s a breakdown of what you should have checked annually (or at least every 12 months / ~10,000 miles, whichever comes first):

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Standard (Ford / Mazda components)
• Engine oil & filter – annual change is a must, even if mileage is low.
• Air filter – inspect annually, replace if dirty.
• Coolant level and age – change every 5 years or so, but check condition yearly.
• Spark plugs – usually 40–50k mile interval, but a check won’t hurt.
• Gearbox oil – Mazda MX-5 box doesn’t need annual attention, but level should be checked.
• Brake/clutch fluid – flush every 2 years minimum.

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Morgan-specific checks

These are the things a Morgan specialist would keep an eye on, and they’re worth specifically asking your garage to check:
1. Chassis & underbody
• Look for corrosion on the steel chassis, suspension pickup points, and any exposed welds.
• Check that underseal/paint is intact, especially if you drive in wet conditions.
2. Wooden frame
• Inspect body tub and doors for any water ingress or deterioration where the ash frame meets the metal skin.
• Pay attention around the scuttle, door sills, and rear tub corners.
3. Suspension
• You’re already greasing the kingpins (good on you—that’s the single most Morgan-specific regular job).
• Check condition of front suspension bushes, damper brackets, and any play in steering linkages.
• Rear leaf springs – check for cracks, sagging, and ensure U-bolts are tight.
4. Brakes
• Beyond fluid, check for flexi-hose cracking (they age quickly in some climates).
• Handbrake cable condition and adjustment.
5. Body & trim
• Door hinge bolts and catches can loosen with vibration.
• Hood (soft top) frame and side screen mounts – check alignment and wear.
6. Electrical system
• Battery health, earth strap tightness, and the wiring behind the dash (can chafe if not tidied).
• Lighting connectors – Morgans sometimes let in moisture here.
7. Exhaust system
• Check mounts and brackets – the Morgan’s low-slung exhaust is prone to knocks.

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Owner-level care (besides kingpins)
• Tire pressures and condition – Morgans are sensitive to this.
• Regular cleaning and waxing – especially under the wings, where road grime and salt collect.
• Interior leather/trim care – because water ingress can creep up on you.

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Tip for your mechanic

It might be worth printing or emailing Morgan’s official service schedule for the Plus 4 (your dealer or Morgan Motor Company can supply it). Even if they’ve never worked on a Morgan before, having the manufacturer’s checklist will make them more confident and you’ll know nothing important is missed.

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Would you like me to put together a simple one-page service checklist (engine + Morgan-specific items) that you can literally hand to your garage each year? That way, they won’t need to research, and you’ll know they’re covering all bases.”

Thanks Jon that's really useful -- a bit embarrassed I didn't think of that myself! (Love the way ChatGTP so sycophantically states what a fantastically great question it was )

Adam ... never trust a robot! ... once they get their feet under the table they'll be as rude as we are!!! 😆

Decent list though! 🙂

K

From my experience, in particular:
1. Spark plug bodies are notorious for corroding due to moisture getting into the plug wells, so unscrew, clean and re-insert every year. A stuck plug in an alloy head is no fun.
2. Remove rear brake drums annually and check brake cylinders have not seized;, apply ceretec grease or similar under dust boots.
3. Lubricate rear spring leaves with motor cycle chain oil (one that is suitable for o-ring chains)
4. Spanner check every nut and screw, as screws in particular come loose
5. Check diagonal tie-rods from top of cross frame to chassis rail; I have had two break over the years and it doesn’t look obvious unless you give them a shake. (Do this every time you grease the king pins.)
6. Lubricate the pedal box and clevis pins annually

Super helpful, thanks Doug!

And Image -- when the AIs start commandeering everyone's 5G connected Teslas and BYDs, at least this group will still be able to fire up our banana crates (which is what my wife SO unkindly called my +4 when I informed her of the ash frame, huge tactical mistake on my part to mention that...) and blat off into the countryside.

A few items worth considering.

Lubricate the trim between the wings and body. I use ACF50. Apply at the highest level and let gravity do the rest.

Lubrication of the rear leaf springs with a squirt of motorcycle chain aerosol is important unless you like squeaks. Access from above once the tool tray is removed.

A liberal squirt with WD40 over all electrical components wouldn’t go amiss.

Seriously consider a cover for the spark plugs.

Chris, many thanks indeed for these additional tips.

I have duly noted the impressive work a number of members of this forum have done fabricating spark plug covers, but this kind of metal work is well beyond my ken (I'm not mechanical, own only a few tools, and don't have a garage).

I understand that it is possible to install Focus covers on the older Duratec engines, but that these will not fit on the GDI models.

A quick ChatGPT query (sorry, robots again...) suggests that there is something north of 2000 GDI-engined +4s out there. I hope that some industrious soul will see fit to make something available to us know-nothings!

In the meantime, I'm at least slipping some heat-resistant fabric over the engine when I wash the car.

Just a normal plastic "bin bag" will suffice

Just remember to remove it post wash

Thanks Ian -- I thought of that at first, but as the car is parked on a dirt drive it's hard to wash it at home without creating a giant mud pit, so I drive it to one of those wash-it-yourself thingies, by which time the engine is hot and I fear a bin bag will end up shrink-wrapped around the engine or worse