Well, it's February, so the homeward slog toward spring and summer is upon us. Just March to do and then I'll tax my Z again for the beginning of April, so not long!

 

The weather this year especially has made me glad my Z is in storage for the winter. Just awful. But it's also making me miss it as I do push it out of the garage from time to time to either work on it or give it a wipe down and I haven't even been able to do that as it's always been wet/raining! Even if it's cold, at least I can push it outside to tinker with.

 

Anyone else counting the days? I do hope this miserable weather pattern breaks!

 

I do hope this miserable weather pattern breaks!

 

Miserable? I'd put it *a lot* stronger than that! My garage/workshop got flooded out during 24th Dec storm. No lasting damage

fortunately. Not like those poor folks down your way.

Miserable? I'd put it *a lot" stronger than that! My garage/workshop got flooded out during 24th Dec storm. No lasting damage

fortunately. Not like those poor folks down your way.

 

Damn! Was your Z in the garage?

 

It's pretty bad down my way. My parents live in Glastonbury, but fortunately they're on the side of a hill! The levels have turned back to 'swamp' from whence they came! Portishead has fortunately been absolutely fine, even the level 5 Severn Bore that we had whilst I was in Germany didn't do anything. I think Portishead is just lucky! Far enough up the estuary not to encounter the full force of a storm swell, but also far enough downstream so as not to be affected by rivers overflowing their banks.

I'm the same waiting for 1st April to come round or maybe even 1st May but no later.

 

Taking the opportunity to get a bit of engine bling work done, bit more re trimming inside by Mondo and I need some fresh rubber all round, it's nice to do this type of work atm without any time restraints.

I've been doing bits and pieces to mine, but I'd really like to get the car out of the garage to spend a day on it. Whilst I 'can' work in the garage, it's far easier with it out on the driveway. I want to properly install a small amp that AndrewG gave me, but also to fit some new component speakers that I'll order soon! :)

 

It is nice to work on the car with no time constraints. I have some of the interior pulled out on in mine, glass down, T-tops off....something I couldn't 'leave' if I didn't have a garage. I can just go and potter around with it whenever I have some spare time.

Damn! Was your Z in the garage?

 

Yes she was/is. Only got to about 1/2" depth. Most of the important stuff was off the floor. Carpets (yes I know) have been chucked out.

Concrete floor now has a thin layer of brown silt. All dried out now. For that night Kenley Airfield (we are close to it) got 53.6mm of rain.

 

Forecasters have another big Atlantic storm for Saturday... Happy days!

Nasty! Sorry to hear that Andrew. Did this all happen last night? You think you'll move your car to higher ground?

If i had a garage then mine would be locked away .but because i havnt then ive planned for a drive out friday.sorry cant just let her sit there.. i need to get in and drive.dont even have anywere to go so ill just go to my brothers garage for a cuppa. Any old excuse a.

Think I'd have sold my Z if I didn't have a place to store it. Been garaged every winter/wet day ever since I've had it.

Nasty! Sorry to hear that Andrew. Did this all happen last night? You think you'll move your car to higher ground?

 

No, during 24th Dec storm. We are on high ground! There was just so much water coming of the airfield and Kenley common which

are a few metres higher.

Miserable! Guessing the garage has dried out as best it can? Still any further threat? I guess tomorrow will tell!

I'm going to tax mine earlier this year and for 12months with the intention of using it more often... Even in the... in the r... the r-r-ra... the rain! :shock:

I'm going to tax mine earlier this year and for 12months with the intention of using it more often... Even in the... in the r... the r-r-ra... the rain! :shock:

 

No neeeeed! :) Can't use the power in the rain, more dangerous, increases the risk of corrosion, more accidents happen in the winter/wet.

 

I know cars are 'meant' to be driven and yours/mine does. But it's no fun in the wet, so I see no point in risking anything. I love driving it in the summer when you can use the power and visibility is better. :)

Mine only dosnt go out in the snow or ice if we had any.

Driving these cars in the wet is a downer anyway..carefully feathering the gas pedal and cringing every time the car goes into a puddle deeper than 25mm.Forget about it till march then slap 6 months rent in the screen and good to go all spring and summer:thumbup1:

Unfortunately, it's more of a practical requirement then something I want to do. Until a couple of years ago I was on nightshift for many years, so my wife and I only needed the one daily drive between us. On occasions the need for another car arose so we have tried with 3 cars, but eventually this 3rd car ended up sitting for weeks/months without use, wasting tax/mot/insurance etc.

My current job, of the last 2 years, involves more dayshifts (4x4 2 days 2 nights) and with the kids now requiring various commitments, we keep finding the odd day where one of us is without transport. It will be these occasions that I will use the zed to commute to work, come rain or shine (excluding the months/weeks when the roads are salted).

It's not worth having another car for so this seems a logical solution to try. Hence last years strip down underseal and cavity wax to try and keep the damage to a minimum. I boroscoped the cavities and box sections before I started and they were all in good nick and rust free and now there are several litres! of muck spread around in every conceivable nook and cranny.

I also don't personally consider driving it in the wet more dangerous from a power perspective, adapting the driving style to the conditions is a simple solution to a safe trip. I accept the risk of the potential for other road users to undo everything I've just said and total the car anyway!

So what will you do when the kids need the other car and the roads are salted?

So what will you do when the kids need the other car and the roads are salted?

 

Phone in sick should be his answer:biggrin:

I taxed mine for a year last March but have not really used it that much this Winter so might go back to six months tax this year.I drive a e34 BMW as a day to day car but in bad Winter conditions it gets a good hose down when I get home to keep any salt of it. Plus always wash out inside your wheel archs the amount of show cars out there that have the inside lip of there wheel arch full of mud and they wonder why there arches start to rust.

So what will you do when the kids need the other car and the roads are salted?

 

So far this winter we've managed to work around it, but generally means putting a burden on the wife, having to walk or catch public transport (which can be a right pita with 2 kids and a buggy and be very hit and miss!).

I sometimes have the option to lift share with someone fairly close or failing that, there is a bus depending on the day. However, I tend to go overseas very regularly at the drop of a hat for random periods of time and can return at any hour of the day so both these options are a gamble!

Edited February 6, 201411 yr by Joely P

I left my ZX SORNd for January - but stuck a year's RFL on it last weekend. And drove it on Sunday as it was a nice dry day....:biggrin:

 

And good luck to all you guys at potential risk of flooding....:eek:

 

Richard:clover:

I boroscoped the cavities and box sections before I started and they were all in good nick and rust free and now there are several litres! of muck spread around in every conceivable nook and cranny.!

 

I don't suppose that boroscope is still around?

It is, but I used one from work that we use to inspect inside engines. Unfortunately we only have one and it's mega expensive having built in measuring and mapping equipment, so was a bit of a risky one off loan to our hangar car park!

I'd say the cheap ones listed on eBay would be more than sufficient for this job assuming that's what you want to use it for? I think I might get one myself for repeat inspections.

I left my ZX SORNd for January - but stuck a year's RFL on it last weekend. And drove it on Sunday as it was a nice dry day....:biggrin:

 

And good luck to all you guys at potential risk of flooding....:eek:

 

Richard:clover:

 

There have been so many days this winter to warrant a blast in the zed so this is another reason to go for the full 12. The temperatures this winter have been relatively mild, around here at least, so the roads have only been salted on a couple of occasions.

It is, but I used one from work that we use to inspect inside engines. Unfortunately we only have one and it's mega expensive having built in measuring and mapping equipment, so was a bit of a risky one off loan to our hangar car park!

I'd say the cheap ones listed on eBay would be more than sufficient for this job assuming that's what you want to use it for? I think I might get one myself for repeat inspections.

 

It is, how did you get into the enclosed sill channels?

I don't suppose that boroscope is still around?

I borrowed the father in laws one that he got from Aldi's quite cheaply...... worth looking out for when they do one on their special deal.......

was under £100 for it and I have used it for checking under floorboards, inside my sills and also the bores on my old engine..... handy piece of kit.....

Good for spying on neighbours from hell as well.........lol