Evora sitting for long times, any issues

[Kimbers]

Any suggestions to me about having an Evora Sitting doing nothing? 

I have had my Evora for some time now and until Just before Christmas I drove it every week without fail. Now, however she hasn't turned a wheel since around 14th December. 

Points to note, She's covered with an outdoor cover, has a Battery trickle charger and recon unit that I hook up every weekend without fail. Due to the cover and its straps being a ball ache to remove and refit I haven't been starting her or moving her....plus if I uncover her and it rains I have to clean her before reaplying cover.

My worries at 8 years old were that she could spring a leak somewhere due to not being run and the pressures of starting up after so long. Tyre issues. etc.

So any advice? Anything to look for? Anything I should be doing I am not? Maybe @Hangar 111 you can advise as well as you look after her mechanically for me!!

[Bibs]

The conditioner should be plugged in all the time. 

Some more tips here...

https://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/our-news/preparing-your-lotus-for-winter-with-steffen-from-analogue-automotive/

Make sure the tank is topped and tyres over inflated if it's going to just sit there for even more time. It's unlikely to have any engine issues being a Toyota lump and it won't leak as it's under a cover, and to be fair they don't really leak anyway. 

Or stop being a jessie and drive it! I'm sure you've enough paintings in the house if you want to sit and stare at something...! 

[2011 Chrome Orange]

The battery would be my biggest concern. But, you have it covered with the trickle charger. If you are worried about tires, you could add a little extra air and just set proper pressures before you drive.  But, I don't think you have anything to really worry about. Used cars sit on dealers lots for months without being started.

 

I used to store my Evora from late November/Early December until late March/early May without starting it and without an issue. During this hibernation, it was always covered,  on a battery tender, with slightly over pressured tires, flat spotters, full gas tank with stabil and had recent fluid changes.

 

However, there is one thing I would like to note. A few years back when I took my car out in the spring, the AC was somewhat weak. I took it to the dealer for a leak check (with dye) and they found absolutely nothing wrong. They topped it up and I was good to go. The only thing I could figure was that the seals were drying out slightly from lack of use for several months. So, now I have changed my routine. I now start it the 1st of every month and let her run for a while with the AC going. I haven't had an AC issue since.  (For those that may worry that I don't warm the car up long enough to get rid of condensation....the car is kept in a heated garage with exhaust port vents in the garage door. So, I run the car in the warmth of the garage without having to open the garage door.)

 

I don't know definitively that this was my issue.  But, I was provided no other reason for the slight loss of charge. And,  it hasn't reoccurred since I changed my routine. 

[Techyd]

I'm doing exactly this, only since late December.  Its got a car cover on and I've started it two weeks apart and moved it back and forth on the driveway.  No problems so far, I've put a moisture trap in the car as well to collect any moisture that may be inside.

Original plan was for it to be SORN'd through to April, but I'm tempted to drive it at the weekend for a club meet!  That decision will really be down to the weather Sunday morning.

 

@2011 Chrome Orange - Good tip on the A/C, I've not fired it up so will be sure to do this tonight when I get home and I'll also up the tyre pressures a bit more as well.

[Hangar 111]

2 hours ago, Kimbers said:

 Maybe @Hangar 111 you can advise as well as you look after her mechanically for me!!

I think it's fairly well covered in the above posts.  Over-inflating the tyres will help prevent flat spots.  Battery is always going to be the main issue, but having it on and off the conditioner is the best you can do for it anyway.  Moisture in the cabin as said, and the AC thing (having just sorted all your AC out!) is worth bearing in mind.  As it is outside, if you can run it up warm every few weeks that will help keep everything moving and lubricated, reduce condensation in the exhaust (which can upset O2 sensors, as well as corrosion from the inside out) etc.

Dave

[Kimbers]

Thanks Everyone. Moisure trap ordered on Amazon!

[Colin P]

5 hours ago, Bibs said:

Or stop being a jessie and drive it! 

Here here. Bloody GJOBs the lot of you 😛

 

[Techyd]

34 minutes ago, Colin P said:

Here here. Bloody GJOBs the lot of you 😛

 

You filthy man 🤣

[philcool]

The A/C gas loss is because the input shaft to the compressor is sealed with a gland seal consisting of a polished carbon ring running against a polished steal or tungsten face and requires oil to be fed/splashed against the two faces to maintain a seal once the oil drains away and the faces dry out then the small molecules of gas escape.

Even when used frequently there is always a very very slight gas loss.

Its ideal to run the A/C once a week but once a month minimum if its cold outside run the cabin up to temperature then place on recirc and run the A/C as a lot of A/C wont run with an outside inlet air temp to the evaporator of below 3-4C as then theres not enough heat energy passing across the evaporator coil to boil the refrigerant from a liquid to a vapour and the liquid can slug back to the compressor and as we all know you cant compress a liquid so the compressor or hopefully the magnetic clutch will become damaged.

This is a bellows glandseal that's been starved of oil and overheated and carbonised the little oil it was getting.

Cost £3620.58p plus £660 to fit including mileage and overtime  including new joints and O Rings plus £4970.60 for lost refrigerant plus 260L of fresh fully synthetic refrigeration oil at £17.60 a Litre = £4576 and a new oil filter kit £74.90 and disposal of waste oil at £4.40 a Litre =£1144 total bill £15,046.08p that's what happens when you don't change an oil filter

[Bruss]

Something lost in translation? £15k for ac fix?

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

With 260 litres of fluid, I guess he's not talking about the a/c in his Exige!

[philcool]

No sorry should say that's all for a packaged glycol Chiller with a 400kw motor but the principles are exactly the same just larger in all respects 

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Is that a nickel alloy flexible bellows seal? The company I work for makes the raw material bar, from which the rings are machined by the seal manufacturer.

[philcool]

No its 316 stainless steel but you can get all sorts of materials for differant applications and refrigerants