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Preparing a car for long term storage
Guinness - 2/2/09 at 07:57 PM

I'm about to put SWIMBO's car in storage for a year or so. It'll be in a barn, so not exactly inside, but not outside either!

I have a car cover that will fit it, mainly to keep any dust off. I was going to give it a good run out, to warm it through, then park it up.

I don't really want to drain all the fluids, fuel etc.

Thought I'd just disconnect the battery, and maybe's stick it up on axle stands so the tyres don't flat spot.

Anything else I should consider? Leave the windows open a little bit?

Cheers

Mike


prawnabie - 2/2/09 at 07:59 PM

Put some cat litter in the car in trays to absorb any moisture


rusty nuts - 2/2/09 at 08:13 PM

If your putting it in a barn you may need plenty of mouse traps . They will get in the smallest hole


koiking125 - 2/2/09 at 08:32 PM

Mice really like wiring looms!!


greggors84 - 2/2/09 at 08:38 PM

I found a rat in my engine bay once. Had pulled loads of the sound deadening out and made a nest. Then chewed through the HT leads. Shame the car wasnt running when it did!

If you dont put it on axle stands maybe put loads of pressure in the tyres to help stop flat spotting. Dont leave the handbrake on as the rear brakes will seize over the year.

Is it going to be far away? Would be worth popping over once a month to give the engine a run if its possible.


Canada EH! - 3/2/09 at 12:44 AM

Change the fluids, add fuel stabilizer, run it for ten minutes, squirt engine storage spray down the carb (air inlet) till it stalls. Put moth balls inside (lots) mice hate them. Lift it off the ground if you can, about a foot. Give it some wax and cover it up after removing the battery. This is how we store auto engined boats for the six months of winter here in Canada. When you bring it back to life, fresh charge on the battery (kept indoors off concrete floor). Should fire up right away, lots of smoke from the storage spray, give it a new set of plugs and Bob's you Uncle.