Hi, For storing our motorhome over the winter should we disconnect either of the engine or leisure battery? Or is it better to turn the engine over for 10 min weekly.
Thx
Thx
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Hi, For storing our motorhome over the winter should we disconnect either of the engine or leisure battery? Or is it better to turn the engine over for 10 min weekly.
Thx
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So now you have both schools of thought.
1) Park it up, lock it up and leave it much like a shotgun until next time you need it.
2) Treat it with a little respect and run it occasionally to stop the brakes going rusty and everything seizing up.
All professional mechanics and engine rebuilders must have got it wrong when they advise, never to just start an engine and let it tick over for long periods of time without putting it to work as it glazes the bores.
The choice is all yours.
It is indeed, and no need for the sarcasm either. I am merely pointing out that over 40 years we have never had catastrophic engine failure from regularly starting engines of cars which for whatever reason cannot be used or moved at that time. Sometimes it is not possible to go on these "drives" - circumstances do exist when the ideal solution is not always possible.
I have also never had issues with oil seals drying out and loss of oil either, whatever the "professional mechanics" ideal situation for an engine may be. Ideally, engines are built to be used. Sometimes, however, life is less than ideal and its not possible.
However, you are entirely WRONG to infer I have no respect for my vehicles based on your assumptions as to how you feel they should be treated.........I have several vehicles over 15 years old, which look and drive as though they are much newer and reflect the care taken to maintain them over many years. Clearly they have not suffered the calamities you feel should befall a vehicle whose owner dares to start the engine without driving it. Everything has never "seized up" either. Brakes and tyres are consumables, and age despite the use or mileage. I am happy to ensure I renew pads and discs if I consider the discs to be rusty after lack of use, £50 well spent and in the event of simply not being able to use the vehicle at all, not a lot of expense either.
Perhaps you should not be so judgemental . Each to their own
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Oh dear. So now we seem to have moved to the "fact" that you risk imminent death by driving a vehicle that has been laid up for a long period........
I think not........if you utilise the common sense I mentioned, and also, as detailed, have brake pads and discs renewed before driving if vehicle has been laid up for a long time and they have rusted. Chances are it will need an MOT after that length of time anyway, which should really be booked fairly locally and not require high speed journeys or lengthy ones to get to the MOT station. In any event, I would have the pads and discs renewed on site before even moving off to the MOT station, in which case a problem would most likely be evident to the mechanic changing the discs and pads. However, we haven't touched on the other possibilities of vehicles laid up for long periods having the handbrake left off with suitable wheel chocks in place, or the possibility of rolling slowly forward and back depending on available space in order to move tyre position and keep the wheels free...........elementary things which would reduce some of the problems which might occur.
Added to which, the driver would be expected to ensure to the best of their ability, that the vehicle is in a fit state to drive to the MOT station appointment after a lengthy lay up or to have anything urgent and potentially dangerous attended to before leaving the parking area........... or the vehicle recovered to a workshop.
Its not rocket science and you don't have to be "informed" to simply be sensible and use a bit of common sense........
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But which would you consider would be easier, changing brake pads and disks every spring after the winter layup as you suggest or doing the weekly supermarket run. I will stick with my tried and tested method of use as opposed to renewing stuff that's not worn out at quite considerable expense for those not able to do this themselves. You quote £50 for brake disks and pads. I think it was quite sometime since you used a main agent to do this. As you point out...common sense prevails.
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The problem with leaving the batteries for long periods unused is that they self discharge and go flat.even if the batteries are disconnected the cold weather is gonna kill them