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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6312   
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looking for thoughts and opinions.
I've now got the defender sat outside after it spent the last 2 or 3 years sat indoors mostly on a c-tek. I don't really have the luxury of using a c-tek at the moment (and besides I've just had to change my battery so I'm not convinced the c-tek extends the battery life?). any hows I'm just wondering - if I run the engine each week for say 10mins would that be a good move alround ie for the engine and the battery. and perhaps drive back and forth 10 meters just to keep everything moving? would 10 mins each week be sufficient to top the battery up and keep it it in good order? |
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12th Jan 2025 11:59am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6312
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Would you suggest even without the emissions stuff it would be a bad idea?
Just thinking about back up diesel generators - they get run regularly but obviously don't go anywhere and it doesn't seem to be a problem? |
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12th Jan 2025 12:29pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5758 
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Still a bad idea. The best thing for the engine, is if started, is to be worked and got up to temperature. A generator isn’t just running, it is driving the generator, so is working.
If you start it, work it. Otherwise don’t start it. Is the basic message. The best thing for a vehicle complete, is to be used on a regular basis. Something like an hours drive every two weeks or so. I know not always possible, as know personally with my camper, which is often just stood. |
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12th Jan 2025 2:27pm |
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| Devon-Rover Member Since: 22 Jan 2015 Location: South Devon Posts: 919  
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I'll echo the above if you're going to run the engine then it's got to be driven and got up to temperature properly.
I would say a good hours drive every fortnight would not only keep the battery good it'll keep the brakes clean and the oils / seals happy and moved about. For outside infrequent used vehicles I recommend a solar trickle charger https://shop.ringautomotive.com/battery-care/solar-chargers.html Other brands available of course. Also can be found on Fb, Ytube, Insta & Twitter @4WDSouthwest |
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12th Jan 2025 2:45pm |
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| jbcollier Member Since: 29 Apr 2024 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 129  
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You could also fit a battery cut off switch.
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12th Jan 2025 3:02pm |
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| trickster5000 Member Since: 12 Dec 2015 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 506 
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Agreed with the above. Can’t remember if yours is a 2.2 or a 2.4 (ie DPF vs non-DPF) but either way cold starting and idling with no long runs/high load application causes all sorts of issues - cold engines have a lot of condensation, which mixes with the soot to form a sticky sludge and foul up the EGR circuit and DOC, if it’s a 2.2 with a DPF then adds a lot of soot load with no chance to burn it off.
Battery isolator or disconnecting battery negative is an option, or even buying a new battery when you’re ready to have it back on the road is less of a cost than the problems that idling for 10 mins every week could cause. Matt. '89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html |
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12th Jan 2025 3:19pm |
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 1104  
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Agree with budgeting for a new battery when time comes. I have had several vehicles sit (indoors) some batteries survive a recharge others don't. I disconnected, but on trickle chargers etc, but batteries just age over time and they are not all that expensive yet critical to enjoy your car.
You have to have a resurrection budget including bunch of fluids and possibly even tires and hoses ,(rubber) |
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12th Jan 2025 6:15pm |
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| Likeomg Member Since: 29 Jun 2012 Location: Lake District / Newcastle Posts: 2651 
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We still have our 90 that's done 1 mile since delivery. gets serviced every year with no dramas. (yes a puma we trailered home, goes for service on a trailer every year)
Don't start it other than it going for its service, god knows about the DPF lives in a climate controlled environment the rest of the time until we decide what we are going to do with it. |
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12th Jan 2025 10:53pm |
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| Ianh Member Since: 17 Sep 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 2091
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I have a picture in my mind of a pristine 90, sitting in a warm air conditioned glass garage , looking out over open countryside, with tears rolling down from its headlights.
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12th Jan 2025 11:15pm |
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| Likeomg Member Since: 29 Jun 2012 Location: Lake District / Newcastle Posts: 2651
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Well it’s never been washed, no chance yet for the rust marks from the headlamp bezels yet…
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12th Jan 2025 11:55pm |
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| Ianh Member Since: 17 Sep 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 2091
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13th Jan 2025 2:42am |
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