laid up

[Davz]

I am having to go into hospital for surgery in the next couple of weeks and will be out of action for a minimum of 4 months and won't be able to drive the zed
Question is what needs to be done to the Zed to keep her in fine fettle?
I won't be able to go out to her and start her up, it will be total shut down for 4 months.

I know I need to take the battery out and trickle charge. I was thinking about jacking her up and place onto wooden blocks so the tyres will be ok and of course release the handbrake so it doen't seize on.

I was thinking about buying a softtop cover? Or would a full cover be better, although I have always had concerns about full covers trapping in moisture?
Full tank of gas or just a couple of gallon?
Change oil and filter now or change before it goes back on the road?

What other steps should be taken?

Advice gratefully received!

[Davz]

I am having to go into hospital for surgery in the next couple of weeks and will be out of action for a minimum of 4 months and won't be able to drive the zed
Question is what needs to be done to the Zed to keep her in fine fettle?
I won't be able to go out to her and start her up, it will be total shut down for 4 months.

I know I need to take the battery out and trickle charge. I was thinking about jacking her up and place onto wooden blocks so the tyres will be ok and of course release the handbrake so it doen't seize on.

I was thinking about buying a softtop cover? Or would a full cover be better, although I have always had concerns about full covers trapping in moisture?
Full tank of gas or just a couple of gallon?
Change oil and filter now or change before it goes back on the road?

What other steps should be taken?

Advice gratefully received!

[mr wilks]

Might sound harsh but other than removing ( or even just disconnect if its relatively new ) battery id simply lock it up & leave it alone
No need to have the car up on blocks , just take the psi up to 40 .
I'm not a fan of outdoor covers , whatever folks say they chaff the lacquer when they blow in the wind ( & they will blow in the wind)
Worth checking drain holes are clear if roof motor still in original place .
Then when you're back at it get oil & filter changed

If you really have to cover it then here's a tip ive done to previous Zs ive stored for winter buy 2 £1 rolls of clingfilm & once the paint is cleaned & waxed "wrap" the car in clingfilm yes really works a treat & once removed months later zero dust , zero marks

[Jembo]

Might sound harsh but other than removing ( or even just disconnect if its relatively new ) battery id simply lock it up & leave it alone
No need to have the car up on blocks , just take the psi up to 40 .
I'm not a fan of outdoor covers , whatever folks say they chaff the lacquer when they blow in the wind ( & they will blow in the wind)
Worth checking drain holes are clear if roof motor still in original place .
Then when you're back at it get oil & filter changed

If you really have to cover it then here's a tip ive done to previous Zs ive stored for winter buy 2 £1 rolls of clingfilm & once the paint is cleaned & waxed "wrap" the car in clingfilm yes really works a treat & once removed months later zero dust , zero marks

Nice tip

[RustyZ4]

Firstly, I hope all goes well with your surgery,,

Are you storing it in a garage or outside? if outside I would get a waterproof cover for it, if its in a garage, id would leave it uncovered,
A smart battery trickle charger to keep the battery topped up
Fill the car with fuel to the brim,this will prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank and keep the seals from drying out. You should also purchase a fuel stabilizer, to prevent ethanol build up
DO NOT wash the car prior to not using it, you could end up with seized brakes, seals braking down etc, it needs to be dry
Give it a good polish and wax to protect it
Don't leave the handbrake on
I would put it up on jack stands, unless you can get someone to move it every once in a while to stop flat spots
And you can sorn it, save a bit of tax

[firebobby]

I can come around and take it for a spin if you like

[MalNCH]

I can come around and take it for a spin if you like

[buzyg]

If you really have to cover it then here's a tip ive done to previous Zs ive stored for winter buy 2 £1 rolls of clingfilm & once the paint is cleaned & waxed "wrap" the car in clingfilm yes really works a treat & once removed months later zero dust , zero marks

As long as it's just the car.

[paullyjay]

Might sound harsh but other than removing ( or even just disconnect if its relatively new ) battery id simply lock it up & leave it alone

^^This^^

Definitely disconnect the battery!

[cj10jeeper]

As above do nothing bar lock and walk away, except I’d connect to a ctek rather than disconnect the battery, so it doesn’t go into transport mode and you can alarm it too.
It’s 4 months of Summer and Autumn so no need to do anything more, kept inside or outside.
Good luck with the operations and speedy recovery

[mr wilks]

As above do nothing bar lock and walk away, except I’d connect to a ctek rather than disconnect the battery, so it doesn’t go into transport mode and you can alarm it too.
It’s 4 months of Summer and Autumn so no need to do anything more, kept inside or outside.
Good luck with the operations and speedy recovery

I'm pretty sure transport mode only kicks in with a gradual decline in battery charge as opposed to fully disconnecting it but could be wrong

[Jembo]

As above do nothing bar lock and walk away, except I’d connect to a ctek rather than disconnect the battery, so it doesn’t go into transport mode and you can alarm it too.
It’s 4 months of Summer and Autumn so no need to do anything more, kept inside or outside.
Good luck with the operations and speedy recovery

I'm pretty sure transport mode only kicks in with a gradual decline in battery charge as opposed to fully disconnecting it but could be wrong

Was looked big at options for winter hibernation, anyone know for sure as planning to use a solar trickle charger as no mains available

[cj10jeeper]

MR Wilks, you might be right, but I thought I’d seen instances of it with no battery for extended time. My key point is with battery on and maintained you can lock and alarm it of the power is routed

Jembo - make sure any charger is smart or designed for continuous use, not trickle, so it adds juice only as required. I’ve previously posted images of my battery blown to bits on a trickle charger, by a ‘helpful’ friend

[mr wilks]

MR Wilks, you might be right, but I thought I’d seen instances of it with no battery for extended time. My key point is with battery on and maintained you can lock and alarm it of the power is routed

Jembo - make sure any charger is smart or designed for continuous use, not trickle, so it adds juice only as required. I’ve previously posted images of my battery blown to bits on a trickle charger, by a ‘helpful’ friend

Yes i wouldn't like to attach a charger then leave alone under a cover or stored elsewhere for months on end whenever i winter a Z i simply switch the trickler on for 24hrs - 48hrs max weekly then its off the rest of the time .

[Davz]

Thanks fellas for the replies ....more to think about and do than I thought!

I have looked at getting either a full cover or just a soft top cover, but seen many mixed reviews about wearing the paintwork as the car will be outside and the wind will move it about. Fingers crossed I will be back on the road January so a cover may not be neccesary....... Going to ponder the cover question over the next week!

Thinking about getting an mot now so I don't have any hassle come Jan.

I am going to disconnect the battery and get the missus to switch on the charger every other week. Fortunately I have a high tech programmable charger left over from the days when my youngest son was into radio control car racing, so that will keep the yr old varta in tip top condition.

Sent off for another set of axle stands, going to stack her up, which will make it hard to drive off for some would be thief!

Thanks for the idea of filling the fuel tank + stabiliser, not something I thought about, Amazon are currently sending out some stabiliser.

6 layers of winter wax will hopefully keep the paint tip top, I'll be putting a bed down stairs in the front window, as I won't be able to walk, I can also keep an eye on Zed! Any bird droppings and the missus will be sent out with a bucket of water and sponge, I wll have to train her to soak the offending dropping for 10 mins before wiping off

Once again many thanks fellas, any other ideas please post