I was just wondering now that the bad weather is upon us and many Triumphs might going into hibernation for a few months, how do others store and preserve the car over winter, I often have trouble with a stuck clutch slave cylinder and corrosion on the brake discs, I try to mitigate the clutch issue with occasional pumping of the pedal and I lightly coat the brake discs with wd40 or similar. I've also just sheeted up the car as it's so cold-when it gets warmer ( this weekend forcasted apparently) the car would just attract a large amount of warmer, moist air and get quite wet. I also charge the battery every couple of weeks but it will only go out for a drive now if it's dry and no salt.
I take my hat off to those daily drivers with no garage.
winter storage/preservation
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Re: winter storage/preservation
I often find clutch and brake master cylinders can have a momentary stiffness when first operating after a long period of disuse. It's not a bad idea just to press the pedals occasionaly.
Leave a window open a few inches to let a bit of air in to circulate (I'm assuming yours is garaged). I find leather upholstery tends to get a bloom over winter.
Watch out for mice making nests or chewing upholstery or wiring. A tray of bait might be a wise precaution. I've had wiring insulation gnawed in the past, but strangely they seem to prefer the challenge of completely stripping live mains cables in the barn to handling a mere 12 volts:)
It's said that tyres can develop a permanent flat spot, but in practice the old custom of putting a car up on bricks is just too much fag. Years ago I did have a car that developed a very bouncy ride on one wheel, which took a few days of use to fade away.
I'm sure it makes sense to never put away a car with wet brakes, but apart from that I don't bother. Any surface rust quickly clears as soon as it's driven. Genuine cast iron drums and disks don't really rust, unlike modern mild steel replacements, which also wear out rapidly.
Leave a window open a few inches to let a bit of air in to circulate (I'm assuming yours is garaged). I find leather upholstery tends to get a bloom over winter.
Watch out for mice making nests or chewing upholstery or wiring. A tray of bait might be a wise precaution. I've had wiring insulation gnawed in the past, but strangely they seem to prefer the challenge of completely stripping live mains cables in the barn to handling a mere 12 volts:)
It's said that tyres can develop a permanent flat spot, but in practice the old custom of putting a car up on bricks is just too much fag. Years ago I did have a car that developed a very bouncy ride on one wheel, which took a few days of use to fade away.
I'm sure it makes sense to never put away a car with wet brakes, but apart from that I don't bother. Any surface rust quickly clears as soon as it's driven. Genuine cast iron drums and disks don't really rust, unlike modern mild steel replacements, which also wear out rapidly.
Re: winter storage/preservation
Thanks Clifford,
you have made it sound all nice and easy, so maybe I'm worrying a bit too much. The rodents don't seem to be a problem in my garage maybe as I'm in there quite a lot (or so my wife claims!) . I'll keep on top of the pedals as well and try and squeeze in the occasional run out too, it'll soon be spring
you have made it sound all nice and easy, so maybe I'm worrying a bit too much. The rodents don't seem to be a problem in my garage maybe as I'm in there quite a lot (or so my wife claims!) . I'll keep on top of the pedals as well and try and squeeze in the occasional run out too, it'll soon be spring

Re: winter storage/preservation
Just to add to 'tyre flat spots' - mine was stored away ( dry garage) for 14 years, rears removed but stood on the fronts for all that time - tyres when storage started were albut new at the time - maybe 200 miles covered. When it finally came out and started rolling again the tyres were fine - no flat spots, no nothing. I only changed them soon after purely for the age of them from storage.
As an aside, my car had not detiorated at all after 14 years ' in storage' - in a dry, but un- heated garage. In my experience dryness is the key, keeping her dry is a must. I cannot stress that more. B.L. stuff do not like dampness
As i stand today , i periodically start the car, and let it get up to normal temperature before switching off . I also leave a couple of windows down a tad, have a purpose made breathable cover over it, and also have a couple of those ' moisture away' tubs ( you remove the silver foil tops first ) inside the car to do just that - absorb any moisture - they work a treat. I change them as required, or more often if needed. It all helps!
As an aside, my car had not detiorated at all after 14 years ' in storage' - in a dry, but un- heated garage. In my experience dryness is the key, keeping her dry is a must. I cannot stress that more. B.L. stuff do not like dampness

As i stand today , i periodically start the car, and let it get up to normal temperature before switching off . I also leave a couple of windows down a tad, have a purpose made breathable cover over it, and also have a couple of those ' moisture away' tubs ( you remove the silver foil tops first ) inside the car to do just that - absorb any moisture - they work a treat. I change them as required, or more often if needed. It all helps!
Member Number 7392 04/07
1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!
DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!
1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!
DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!
Re: winter storage/preservation
Thanks Forkie,
you are spot on about the effects of damp air and there's plenty of that where I live in Lancashire ! I covered the car with a large dust sheet and numerous sets of old curtains a few weeks ago when it was very cold but dry, whereas if I'd have waited for the warmer wetter days to return the car would have been coated in condensation.
I started it and ran it 2 days ago, moved back and forward a few times so the clutch slave hasn't stuck yet like in the past, although it took a while to start as the carbs needed priming. As an aside but still relevent I had 2 trees blow down in the garden, so out comes the petrol chainsaw to dispose of the resulting mess, but as I have not used the saw for a couple of years it was wouldn't start, so out comes the plug, clean the air filter, blow down with compressed air and a good squirt of brake cleaner inside the carb and it was good to go.
It's along winter though, so it'll be a while before the car emerges again.
you are spot on about the effects of damp air and there's plenty of that where I live in Lancashire ! I covered the car with a large dust sheet and numerous sets of old curtains a few weeks ago when it was very cold but dry, whereas if I'd have waited for the warmer wetter days to return the car would have been coated in condensation.
I started it and ran it 2 days ago, moved back and forward a few times so the clutch slave hasn't stuck yet like in the past, although it took a while to start as the carbs needed priming. As an aside but still relevent I had 2 trees blow down in the garden, so out comes the petrol chainsaw to dispose of the resulting mess, but as I have not used the saw for a couple of years it was wouldn't start, so out comes the plug, clean the air filter, blow down with compressed air and a good squirt of brake cleaner inside the carb and it was good to go.
It's along winter though, so it'll be a while before the car emerges again.
Re: winter storage/preservation
A long winter is correct - it has been shocking down here - Cornwall- and we not even half way through yet!!
When the car has been stood 'un-used' for more than a few days ,before going for a start i always manually prime the carbs, disconect the central coil lead and turn it over without choke until the oil light goes out. As soon as it does, i reconnect the coil lead pull out the choke and almost everytime she fires and runs instantly. Always a very satisfying moment to hear that engine running again
. The weather is meant to improve somewhat towards the end of the week so hoping to have it out - im like you - see no sense in taking it out in horrendous wind and rain.
Cover wise - in the long term storage of mine i also had it covered with old ( but clean) sheets - but when they were finally removed i was surprised with just how much ' grime' had got through and had properly adhered mainly to the tops of the doors and rear wings - was a bit of a mission to clean it back. This new breathable cover is really good - nothing gets through it. When i lift up a corner for any reason the paintwork is still as clean as it was when last buffed and covered.
I also leave the handbrake off, and mine being an Auto i leave it in Neutral - that allows me to ' shove it to and fro' periodically whenever i am out there , to keep it free so to speak without the need to remove the cover to get in to start it etc etc.
When the car has been stood 'un-used' for more than a few days ,before going for a start i always manually prime the carbs, disconect the central coil lead and turn it over without choke until the oil light goes out. As soon as it does, i reconnect the coil lead pull out the choke and almost everytime she fires and runs instantly. Always a very satisfying moment to hear that engine running again

Cover wise - in the long term storage of mine i also had it covered with old ( but clean) sheets - but when they were finally removed i was surprised with just how much ' grime' had got through and had properly adhered mainly to the tops of the doors and rear wings - was a bit of a mission to clean it back. This new breathable cover is really good - nothing gets through it. When i lift up a corner for any reason the paintwork is still as clean as it was when last buffed and covered.
I also leave the handbrake off, and mine being an Auto i leave it in Neutral - that allows me to ' shove it to and fro' periodically whenever i am out there , to keep it free so to speak without the need to remove the cover to get in to start it etc etc.
Member Number 7392 04/07
1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!
DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!
1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!
DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!
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