Car Storage Questions...

[CRoNic...]

Hey everyone,

What's required when putting a car into storage which is basically in a open driveway which will get battered by rain, wind, sun, etc?

Do you simply need to disconnect the battery and throw a car cover over it (after putting a sheet over the paintwork before you put the car cover on)? Will any of the fluids, oils or the fuel need to be drained before it's started up again?

We're talking a long-term storage... a handful of months.

Cheers

[skyhighR33]

it would be best to replace all oils and fluids after the storage. discon battery is a very good idea and also put a car smelly tree in there, thats way when you jump back in there its not gunna smell like mold.

[Chris#3]

I've had my 32 sitting in the driveway for over a month now and all I've done is disconnect the battery but it's always under a cover and there is always a car behind it and other security measures. I don't know what effect long term storage will have on the oil, etc but make sure you keep the petrol tank at about 1/4 tank or less as you'll need fresh stuff when you drive it again. (Spirited drives will have to wait until the fresh petrol has entered the system.) I'd strongly advise getting the car serviced before any major/spirited driving to ensure all the fluids are doing their jobs along with any hoses as they could develop cracks in the inactive period.

[CRoNic...]

Yeah what I might do is just start it up once every 2 weeks to keep all the fluids half-fresh. The car has been serviced only 30k's ago so it has fresh everything in it.

[typevu]

Starting the car up and idle-ing there will eventually drain off the battery due to the power consumed from starting the car but not driven around.

I've searched on the net awhile back and it seems to be recommended to fill a full tank of fuel to prevent moisture building up and contaminating the fuel.

[r33 chris]

but over time the petrol will lose its octane

[r33 chris]

all sounds to hard daniel just let me have it for a bit ill keep it in good use

[Carbon 34]

Starting the car up and idle-ing there will eventually drain off the battery due to the power consumed from starting the car but not driven around.

I've searched on the net awhile back and it seems to be recommended to fill a full tank of fuel to prevent moisture building up and contaminating the fuel.

I stored my RX7 and R31 for over a year when I was in navy or in USA , jacked it up off the ground put it on stands(the tires will be shot if left on the ground in one spot, ride square), put a top quality car cover on it, soft one with locking cable.

before that , change the oil, FILL THE FUEL TANK FULL!!! like VU said it will build water up in it and the rust will set in quickly. plus you will need the fuel to start it up , change the water to top grade coolant with a flush first. all tranny and rear axle needs checked or changed if its old. brakes , clutch and power steering too. detail the car and close the vents inside the car to recirculate mode. keeps the bugs out of the car better. put a line of bug killer around the car on the floor. stops the spiders, etc. the battery -leave it hooked up on solar charger if you have one and clean the terminals and check the water every time it starts up, start it every two weeks and let her run at fast ilde for 30 min with car in gear and let the tranny and rear end spin free in the air, watch the car to be safe. it should be solid on jack stands no movement at all, and dont gun it on stands it might fall off. do not park it with hand brake one, it will freeze up and it makes it easy to steal wheels if they are tight on hand brakes. the battery wont die even on the alarm if it started every week or two. and runs at fast idle with no load on it. also you need to run A/C monthly for 5 min , or the compressor will fail from lack of oil , even in winter you should run it randomly. check the fluids every time you start the car. make sure the fuel lid is locked tight so nobody puts sand in the tank ? had that done to me once on another car. the fuel needs to be premium 98 WITH FUEL "STABIL" PUT IN IT , its used for long term fuel storage in all engines using gasoline. works to keep octane up and water out.find it in lawn mower shops or boat stores , not many car places stock it. the brand is STABIL , cheap only a few bucks for a little bottle , a few drops does the trick. dont put pine tree air fresh in the car they smell foul after long term use, use a proper cleaner first, detail the insides including carpet , Megulars makes a air fresh for cars, comes in a goldish bottle from autobarn or supercheap for 10 bucks. works great , spray some every time you open the car up. no worries no staining either . after storage change all fluids, filters soon, and check for brake pressure before driving it. pump the clutch and brakes when the car is running to free up the parts , and spin the front tired by hand now and then while someone put on the brakes, to clean the rust off rotors.and move the calipers. wax the car with a paste wax for long term and wash it now and then but make sure its real dry before the cover goes on, dont use a bed sheet it will mold to the paint or sand it down in the breeze, fine sand in the air will sift thru it and ruin the paint ? wash the car cover off every few months and let it hang to dry.

besides that it should be good to go.

not stored right I'd sell it off, the rubber and everything will be stuffed, it rots out bad.

and keep it out of the sun and away from trees if possible.

set the alarm and make sure the wheel locks are on and the wheel lock key isnt with the car. jacked up makes it quick to steal them.

take out the radio too anything visible to thieves to be safe.a good car cover alarm is a good idea, touch it and bang it howls before they screw with it.

runs on 9volt batteries cost 5bucks or so.for cheap one, 40 for a real good one. the cover must be tight not flapping in the wind, and the 3M fabric ones are best for long storage. wont rot out or mold to paint then. no UV gets in car either.

so there you have my past storage plan . no issues from storage of race cars or driving car for me by doing these tips. without the fuel stabil the fuel will go off in months and wont start the car. plus rust etc. it also keeps the injectors free from gum and varnish

why are you parking it? if you don't mind me asking?

ps if your car doesn't have climate control move the heater sliders back and forth every time you start it up, or they will freeze up the heater control valve .i cant remember the R32 if it does or not ?

Edited January 5, 2009 by sapphiregraphics

[CRoNic...]

Ah! Sounds like a lot to do!! I might just take it out for a quick spin down the street once every 2 weeks to keep everything flowing, etc.

Thanks for the advice!

[Moodles2]

Remember to run the aircon (even in winter) at least once a fortnight, aircon systems are self lubricated, if you don't the seal will dry out and let the gas escape. When I was on my L's many years ago, I brought a car (VN Commodore) but was still acouple months away from getting my provisional license, I did the starting it up once a week thing, everything was fine except for one of the seals in my powersteering system, developed a leak while in storage. May be worth even waxing the paintwork as well before storage, don't want it to bubble up and cost a expensive respray.

[rhys5169]

gtr coming off the road?