putting to bed

[Guy]

right... putting the mk1 cabby to bed for a few months until the spring... don't want her running about in salt and the like

it will SORN from the end of this month but I will be doing bits and pieces to her over the next while

I will be storing her under a cover

should I be disconnecting the battery, or starting once/twice a week... or keeping the battery indoors and just trickle charging it?

anything else I should know/do

things that spring to mind are:

wheels/tyres: should I remove and replace with steelies and gash tyres?
fluids: currently at correct levels... anything to do here?
petrol: there is some in the tank but should I drain/use up before storage and then use a jerry can?
brakes: how do I stop these from seizing?

it should only be for 3 or 4 months while winter sorts itself out...

all advice welcomed especially from a mk1 pov and from those that have wintered a cabby before

[raferackstraw]

i think there was a thread not too long ago about this

imo leave battery connected and trickle charge in the car
 
start engine once a fortnight and allow to get to running temp, let the fan come on a few times, this will save the hassle of draining the fuel and keep the fuel system and engine in good condition put a gallon or so of fresh fuel in so your not picking up any crap at the bottom of the tank

fit the steelies and crappy tyres

leave the rear windows open a couple of mm and get some dessicant packs [cabinet type] off a friendly BT engineer, cut the plastic packing at the top and put 5 inside the cabin, these will soak up any moisture

leave handbrake off and either choc wheels or leave in 1st

as its only 3 or 4 months  i think this is your best option 

maybe also remove radio/disconnect to prevent battery drain

[Guy]

yeah... i remember now Alans thread leaving his mk5

thanks for the tips

for me i think leaving the battery connected might not be an option as trailing wires to it might be difficult - i will check in ICE section about disconnecting battery and the alarm as i am sure this will draw something

[JC]

if you need some wheeels - let me know 

when you want some HUGE packs - let me know 

[raferackstraw]

if you cant leave batt in car then yes do remove and trickle charge, but do the starting every 2 weeks like i said, i think its only gonna cause trouble with the fuel system when its left for ages doing nothing good luck
btw did you ever find the leak?

[Guy]

if you need some wheeels - let me know 

when you want some HUGE packs - let me know 

thank you... i think i just need a couple of tyres grotty old tyres 185/60/14"

i have on there at the moment 195/50/15"

both are 4 stud... i am presuming that it will be ok to do a straight swap?

will need HUGE packs pls... might pop up soonest (might even give the cabby one of its last runs depending on the weather)... had a look earlier today... think I have narrowed it down to drivers side front... got a feeling it is either the door or the A pillar/windscreen seal

if you cant leave batt in car then yes do remove and trickle charge, but do the starting every 2 weeks like i said, i think its only gonna cause trouble with the fuel system when its left for ages doing nothing good luck
btw did you ever find the leak?

thanks for the advice... I am gonna do that... I will be tinkering a lot over winter anyway and will prolly replace fuel filter just before she goes back on the road as need to replace fuel filler neck (which I have... just not yet fitted)

[JC]

i haz wheels of 14 or 15s to sit it on 

here sunday if your free , cos i knowz ur fcuked fridays n satdee now 

[Guy]

i haz wheels of 14 or 15s to sit it on 

here sunday if your free , cos i knowz ur fcuked fridays n satdee now 

that might very well happen bud!