Whats up MFers'. What are some good tips for Long term storage for my car? I have to put her up for just over a year without her being started or barely glanced at. I know some of the basics such as a car cover and sealing everything off,but what should I do to preserve the motor, drivetrain, tires, etc? Thanks

 

Several tips:

Change your oil & filterjust before you store the car. Drive a little first so the fresh oil circulates all around the engine. Change it again as soon as you get it out of storage.

After you put the car where you want it, support it on blocks or jackstands to keep the load off the tires. Try to store it somewhere where it will be protected from the sun and weather. Also, don't put it somewhere where grass will grow up around it or where there is a lot of brush or whatever nearby. That attracts bugs and rodents, who will take up residence in your car!

Pull the spark plugs and spray some rust-preventative oil like WD-40 or Kroil or Marvel Mystery inside each hole. Then crank the engine a couple times (with the spark plugs out) to spread the oil around inside the engine. Then replace your plugs. This will prevent any corrosion from occuring inside the combustion chambers.

Make sure there is as little gas as possible in the tank. When you get the car out of storage, put some brand new fresh gas in there when you start it up for the first time.

Put a canister or twoof "damp rid" or some similar product inside the car. That will help keep the inside from getting musty. Some people put a couple of mothballs in there too (and in the trunk, glove box, and perhaps even the airbox) to keep bugs and rodents out. If you do this, put the mothball in a paper cup orsomething so they don't accidentally stain anything important.

Remove the battery from the car. You don't want it to leak acid anywhere. Even if it doesn't leak, you don't want acid fumes floating around your engine compartment...they make things rust. Store it seperatley, or just leave it wherever and get a fresh battery whenever you get the car out of storage. Chances are the battery won't do well sitting that long.

Obviously, make sure the car is clean and there is nothing that could spoil or attract vermin inside the car. A lot of things can "go bad" after sitting a long time, so go through your console and glove box....no rubber bands, pens, markers, crayons, wax, that kind of thing.

 

Crazy all covered most of it. I would also add some Sta-bil Fuel Stabilizer to the small amount of gas you do leave in it.

Richard

 

I actually filled my tank up and put stable in it. This came off of advice on the classic section of this forum. I dont even remember why they said to keep it full it was along time ago. But the old girl cranked right up afterwards. (This is my 65 not my 06)

 

It's best to keep the gas tank completely full and put fuel stabilizer in the tank. Drive a few miles to make sure the stabilizer works its way through the entire fuel system. If you don't keep the gas tank full, condensation will build up on the inside of the tank and then condense to the bottom of the tank. over time this will introduce water into your fuel tank.

 

Timmay..going down range?

 

Going to Korea, not as bad. But I still have a while fore I have to leave.

Hey Al, is there a special tool I need to pull the plugs? If I put fuel stabilizer ina fulltank will that keep the fuel from breaking down?

Thanks for all the help people.

 

I have never trusted the fuel stabilizer, but that's me personally. I have always had better luck draining most of the gas and then refilling it with fresh gas right before starting it back up.

But, some people swear by the stabilizer.....


You don't need a special tool for the spark plugs. A deep socket or a spark plug socket will work fine. Just make sure you don't overtighten them when you put them back in.