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MG MGA - Oil and coolant change

My 60 A has been sitting for a couple of years. I've gotten it running and was wondering about the oil and coolant. Milagewise, they are pretty frest, but they have been in teh engine for about 2-3 years but have only 2-300 or so miles. Do I need to change them? The coolant still looks green from the radiator cap.
Thanks
Jack
J Weiss

Oil definitely - change it every 6 months whatever the mileage. Water probably - after that length of time there could be some rust build up - so a reverse flush through the radiator would be beneficial
Cam Cunningham

I agree with Cam. Oil definitely. Oil does not loose its ability to lubricate with time but acids and condensation build up in the oil and attack the engine internals. Especially in a car that is only used for once in a while. Cars do not like to sit still. I would also treat it to a grease job and don't forget to lube the back port on the generator and the distributor cam too.
Keith Lowman

Jack, do you get frost in Alabama? If you don't, you could use "Redline Water Wetter" instead of anti-freeze. It has corrosion inhibitors which last more than twice as long as regular glycol anti-freeze, and it is supposed to increase the cooling properties of water. Alternatively or if you do have frost, you could use O.A.T. antifreeze (Organic Acid Technology and fluorescent pink in the UK) which will last for 5 years. I've got it in my "A" and have had no problems yet and I'd swear it makes it run cooler than the blue stuff.
Regards, Lindsay.
Lindsay Sampford

Another thought. You did not say if your car has disk or wire wheels. If it has wire wheels and it has been sitting for awhile it would not hurt to jack it up and remove the wheels and add some fresh grease to the hub splines. Old grease here can act like glue.
Keith Lowman

This thread was discussed between 05/07/2009 and 10/07/2009

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