Just had a bit of a surprise : Last drove my RS in 2012!

[Markyrsfocus]

Just dug out the last MOT for my car, and it was from 2012!

Can't believe it is that long since I drove it.

Still on its original tyres but I think that I did have the Cam belt changed at some time.

I have been turning it over now and again, but am not sure if I am risking it now, or if I should get it trailered to get the belt changed!

It has just been sitting in my garage gathering dust.

Any views on the risk would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

[AlexRS2782]

Mine was off the road / stored for just short of a decade from 2010 to 2019 when i eventually got it back on the road. My suggestion would be to get it trailered to wherever you're getting any work done to minimise the risk of any damage. In my case i had everything refreshed fluid wise including, things like thermostat, plugs, belts, etc, as at least that way i knew everything was changed. Thankfully when i stored it the tyres were already end of life, so i needed a new set anyway, but the old ones were fairly flat spotted and wouldn't have been fun to use even if the tread was still decent.

Once it was running again it didn't take long to find any bits that needed snagging. In my case it was the new thermostat housing leaking but easily sorted, and a slight oil leak from the gearbox again sorted with a new seal. A few months later and before it was due to be stored for winter it developed a running issue. Looking into it now i have a feeling that's mainly fuel pump related as i doubt 9 odd years of sitting with a 1/2 tank of degrading ethanol based 99RON will have done much good to the pump / seals, filter, etc, so it might be worth considering getting those checked as part of any refresh for use too.

Best thing is to work on the basis of a major cambelt service, with all fluids, etc, replaced and budget for the possibility of changing any other working parts too to be on the safe side. Amazingly mine went back on the road fairly easily having stood for so long, but as said did then require a bit of time snagging until everything is fine.

[Markyrsfocus]

Thanks for that, pretty well sums up what I thought I should really do.

Will start looking for a somewhere to get it sorted.

All the best.

Mark

[Clayton]

Welcome to joining the forum Mark.

The cambelt is always the biggest concern / worry but I do know of a few cars including mine that haven't had a cambelt change due to not being planned to be driven. Storage does play an important factor in the deterioration of rubber and other components. If a car is left stood cold over the winter period and exposed to heat in the summer will certainly degrade many components. I have seen many cars stored and unused in damp cold conditions, generally tyres cracking to the sidewalls so ultimately the worry would be other rubber components like the cambelt.

I start my car every year although I had a slightly longer period she wasn't started but was fine. When you say you turn yours over Mark how often do you start her and run for?

If you are worried then for your own piece of mind then get the cambelt changed, especially if you are planning on using her again?

[WayneR#1195]

A fairly old thread, but mine is going through the same process. It hasn't turned a wheel since February 2021. Sat in my garage, on my old carpet, tyres inflated and on my trickle charger.

Full tank of petrol still and was washed and polished before going in there. Had so many other things going on, that the car has gone to the back of my priority list.

It needs a Cam Belt change, as it's 10 years since the last, and the map probably needs a tweek to smooth it out a tad, plus oil service, brake fluid, coolant flush and an MOT.

It won't be out this year, so will be missing the 20th Anniversary. A shame, but it's not top of any priority list for me right now.

[BartFRS]

It's a shame you can't make it to the 20th Anniversary, there won't be another one !

[Imperial-Blue-RS]

Drove mine for the first time in over 4 years yesterday by coincidence, loved every second of it!

[Markyrsfocus]

Apologies for not responding to the messages, have been a bit busy of late.

I started it last about 2 years ago, and let it get up to running temp, then turned it off.

I am not even sure if it would be safe to drive it onto a trailer!

Ready to get it done now, but I now find myself in the Who shall I take it to conundrum.

If anyone can give me any recommendations for doing the Cam belt in or near Hertfordshire it would be very much appreciated. I will have to get it transported, so I would rather it isn't too far away.

It was always serviced by Ford at Dunstable, but my real concern is that it is just going to be an old MK1 Focus to them.

Many thanks

Mark

[AlexRS2782]

You mention Herts, in which case SCC in St Albans are nearest and still work on a number of Mk1's. I can also vouch for them as Rob and the team have always done the work on my own car pretty much since i first bought it in '06 and were the ones who got it up & running again after its hiatus. If it's any help to you i think they also now offer a booked collection / recovery service alongside their main business.

Further afield from you, and also highly recommended by a number of Mk1 owners, is Demon Performance Centre (DPC) up near Crewe who again have a very good rep with regards to most things RS rrelated.

There's also Sabre who are based near Castle Combe in Wiltshire.

[WayneR#1195]

I've used all 3 companies. Each one has been a pleasant experience. SCC still have the lions share of my business, purely because of their location to me, and have been going there since 2007 when I bought my car.

But i'd contact DPC and see what the differences in prices would be, for the same work.