Im putting my car into storage

[NefariousVX]

As im working out at the mines i dont use my car anymore, but im unable to sell it, so im going to put it into storage in my shed, unregistered but insured. What i would like to know is if there is anything i should do in particular before i do this, it will probably not be started for atleast 6 months, or is it better to just start it and run it every month, and if so for how long, and should it be at an idle then going to higher sustained revs or what? If i dont start it then, should i make sure that it has new oil before i store it, i would obviously change all the fluids upon re registering and driving of it, but im looking at any preventative maintenance that i should do. By the way i tried a search but came up with nothing.

Thanks in advance Richard

[XLR8 V8]

Here's some light reading

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=77216&highlight=long+term+storage

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=44151&highlight=long+term+storage

[VY2ENJOY]

Why not keep it registered? that way you can take it for a blast around the block every 6 months or so. Can you insure an unregistered car?

[theVman]

For what its worth I would keep it registered - saves the hassles when it comes to wanting to drive it and re-registering later on. For the small cost its definately worth while.

Batteries seem to be the main thing. Im finding now Im starting to kill batteries but will most likely set up a dual battery in my 4x4 to try and keep them alive - seems like a good idea not sure if it will work yet...

[PBoB]

Why not keep it registered? that way you can take it for a blast around the block every 6 months or so. Can you insure an unregistered car?

Fuel goes off after 3 months mate, that rules out the ol' six monthly 'blast around the block'. :)

[zorro]

I did the same thing with one of my old BMWs. I had to drain the fuel tank/s and also get all fuel out of the lines (the old beasts were notorious for deteriorating lines). I threw in some cheap oil and also plugged the exhaust and intake to stop unwanted things from getting in. Also if you can put it on stands as your tyres will deflate. Pull the battery out also and put it on a shelf, not on concrete.

One thing though is to watch for ants, I had an old fella tell me to put water in plastic saucers under the stands to keep them out. I didnt do that and ended up with a nest in one of my doors.

Another thing to do is leave yourself a note detailing what you have done, saves wrecking things when it comes to restarting.

[Hammer]

as your working in the mines, place a out of service tag on the key switch :D
detailing whats been done :D :D :D

[DaveHAT]

Richard,

If you're definitely going to store it and not start/drive it for 6 months.


Drain: Fuel/Oil/Brake Fluid if you can.
Throw in some cheapish engine oil whilst it's sitting..
Plug the exhaust and intake with "something"
Raise the car on stands so that the wheels are off the ground or remove the wheels altogether.
Spray the underside and any exposed metal surfaces (brake rotors etc) with WD40 to act as a protective coating/rust protector.
If possible, place the stands in ice cream containers filled with water or used sump oil to stop ants/wildlife etc getting in.
REMOVE the battery (not just disconnect).
If possible, place the car under a SEALED cover with the doors and boot adjar to remove pressure on the door/boot seals.
Give the interior a thorough clean then cover the interior with sheets/blankets/towels to keep the dust off and maintain the condition
Make sure you know where the hell you radio pin code is :lol:


Remembering of course that you should clean/reverse everything above and renew ALL fluids (trans and diff incl.) before you start/drive it again in 6 months time.

The extent you go to is ultimately up to you and my list is probably on the anal end of things :lol: but if I valued the car that's what I'd do.

:)

[max350]

Why not keep it registered? that way you can take it for a blast around the block every 6 months or so. Can you insure an unregistered car?


Yes you can get what is called "Laid up" insurance cover for an unregistered vehicle and it is still covered for everything but being driven on the road under its own power.

[NefariousVX]

thakyou for all the replys, there is definetly more to do than i imagined but thats why i asked the question, i defenetly wont be driving for at least 6 months so its a waste of money to have it regesterd, as i have a motorbike that will be, and the missus has a car that we will drive when we are home for 1 week out of every 5.

cheers richard

[Devil CV8]

I left my VY SS sitting for just over 12 months unregistered. Didn't take any precautions, car got started a few times over that period.
When it came time to register it again as circumstances changed and I needed another car I replaced the battery (over 4 years out of the original), replaced 2 tyres (they were due anyway) and filled with 98ron, got the blue slip, and had the next due service done. Car hasn't missed a beat in the 8 months it's been back on the road.

[LSX-438]

Richard,

If you're definitely going to store it and not start/drive it for 6 months.


Drain: Fuel/Oil/Brake Fluid if you can.
Throw in some cheapish engine oil whilst it's sitting..
Plug the exhaust and intake with "something"
Raise the car on stands so that the wheels are off the ground or remove the wheels altogether.
Spray the underside and any exposed metal surfaces (brake rotors etc) with WD40 to act as a protective coating/rust protector.
If possible, place the stands in ice cream containers filled with water or used sump oil to stop ants/wildlife etc getting in.
REMOVE the battery (not just disconnect).
If possible, place the car under a SEALED cover with the doors and boot adjar to remove pressure on the door/boot seals.
Give the interior a thorough clean then cover the interior with sheets/blankets/towels to keep the dust off and maintain the condition
Make sure you know where the hell you radio pin code is :lol:


Remembering of course that you should clean/reverse everything above and renew ALL fluids (trans and diff incl.) before you start/drive it again in 6 months time.

The extent you go to is ultimately up to you and my list is probably on the anal end of things :lol: but if I valued the car that's what I'd do.

:)

damn that's like a friggin homework assignment Dave!

seriously though some good tips there

[theVman]

Some excellent tips there. I will use some of them myself.

Poor old VK has been sitting unregistered and undriven in the driveway for 2.5 months - went to do the rego last night and discovered the Pink Slip had lapsed (Doh!!) So I need to go and get another one now!!

Dying to drive it again!!

[iamhappy46]

Some excellent tips there. I will use some of them myself.

Poor old VK has been sitting unregistered and undriven in the driveway for 2.5 months - went to do the rego last night and discovered the Pink Slip had lapsed (Doh!!) So I need to go and get another one now!!

Dying to drive it again!!

Better get the pink slip quickly, not long before you would need a blue slip and that is not something you want to endure on a mid 80's car.

[mike48105]

Went overseas for 6 months.

Instructions I was given by foreman in the workshop at local dealership were

fill fuel tank (to stop corrosion)

Put 60PSI in tyres (To stop flat spots)

Disconnect battery (making sure it was fully charged)

Arrived home after 6 months connected battery. (Car started first turn of the key) reset radio codes, dropped tyre pressures to recommended

No problems whatsoever.

[VY2ENJOY]

Fuel goes off after 3 months mate, that rules out the ol' six monthly 'blast around the block'. :)

Geez I didnt know that, guess ill have to start draining my fuel tank once in a while in my panel van, as it doesnt get driven for months.

[NefariousVX]

well good news is ill be coming home instead of having to put it into storage, i cant wait to drive it again, its been about 3 months so far, but its due for it's 100k service so ill get everything replaced at the same time. Thanks for all the info

cheers richard

[theVman]

Better get the pink slip quickly, not long before you would need a blue slip and that is not something you want to endure on a mid 80's car.

Yeah shes going back tommorow (I hate having no mates in the industry in newy) so they can do a new pink slip. While it will probably be off the road for the rest of the year I want to keep the rego on it to save the hassles of a blue. Also makes it possible to drive it around to get work done if need be. Motor should be in by June so she should be mobile after that, just a little bare and in her undies!!:confused:

[Benboy]

Probably won't have major dramas re the fluids etc as manufacturers often have new vehicles in storage for 6 months or more. I reckon the MOST important aspect is Comprehensive Insurance. If your garage burns down, guess what happens to the vehicle inside it. No insurance - no way of replacing vehicle loss.

[Alister]

Excellent advice being passed on here. My sister in law has had her 92 Suzuki Sierra with 100 000km parked out the back under our patio with its softtop off for over two years now. Strange thing is that she actually plans to drive it soon. Battery is still connected, tyres have bugger all air in them, hasn't plugged the exhaust, etc.

[kryten2001]

Fuel goes off after 3 months mate, that rules out the ol' six monthly 'blast around the block'. :)

Yo.

I've got a brand new monaro in storage, and I can tell you that this is just not true.

The main thing you need to do is disconnect the battery, and (if I were you) replace the oil/filter and cover the car well.

The battery will most definately be dead after 6 months.

My storage regime has been pretty simple. Wheels off/car on blocks - two 'tyvek' car covers clipped on the underbelly to make sure the covers don't flap around marking the paint.

Maintenance is a bit easier for me as I'm near the car. I usually start it up once every month to blow out the cobwebs, and give it a bit of meguairs quick detail (QD). Once every 3 months it gets a full polish and wax.

Looks and runs better than the day it came out of the factory.

You will need to run it around the block at least once every 4-6 months if possible, otherwise your rotors will rust up and likely gum up your brakes a bit.

[lumina ss]

Ive had a ford escort XR3i cabriolet in storage in an open garage without a cover for 13 years I wash the dust off once a year, change the oil, get a permit and drive it for a week and then park it again, I put 50psi in the tyres and they are still round, it needs a new battery every year but thats it.

[hsv-maloo-R8]

unless the laws have changed,,in Melbourne,,you can have your rego suspended,,just cant drive while under suspention. The only thing you should do is take the battery out,,good to start the car once a month. fluids will be ok,,fuel will go shitty after a while, just add some high octain fuel to the mix,if need to. l buy cars all the time from auctions,,some been sitting around for months,,most start straight away,,have a vyss here now,will be 6 months sitting,,bet it will fire up ok. regards

[PBoB]

I've got a brand new monaro in storage, and I can tell you that this is just not true.

My mistake, just checked with a mate who works for a large fuel company. Fuel doesn't "go off" as such, it more or less loses it's octane rating, therefore burning less efficiently and causing the car to run rough. Generally the higher the octane rating, the faster this will happen too. Optimax, for instance, will lose its effectiveness after about 7 days, meaning if it has been in the inground tanks for more than 7 days, it is essentially 95 or 91 ron, depending on weather and how often the tanks are used.

So you don't have to drain all your fuel, just don't be alarmed when the car runs worse than a chinese swimmer without steroids :hide:

[VYBerlinaV8]

When I bought the Berlina it had been in the dealers warehouse for a number of months. It had done 31 kilometres (not thousands!) in 8 months.

After owning it for almost 5 years it seems to have suffered no long term ill effects, although it had the usual few niggles to resolve during the first couple of years of ownership (switches, bulbs, did the power steering pump, etc).

I think that for six months putting it up on blocks and removing the battery would be fine. Oh, and clean it before you put it away.

[Scommo]

Richard,

If you're definitely going to store it and not start/drive it for 6 months.


Drain: Fuel/Oil/Brake Fluid if you can.
Throw in some cheapish engine oil whilst it's sitting..
Plug the exhaust and intake with "something"
Raise the car on stands so that the wheels are off the ground or remove the wheels altogether.
Spray the underside and any exposed metal surfaces (brake rotors etc) with WD40 to act as a protective coating/rust protector.
If possible, place the stands in ice cream containers filled with water or used sump oil to stop ants/wildlife etc getting in.
REMOVE the battery (not just disconnect).
If possible, place the car under a SEALED cover with the doors and boot adjar to remove pressure on the door/boot seals.
Give the interior a thorough clean then cover the interior with sheets/blankets/towels to keep the dust off and maintain the condition
Make sure you know where the hell you radio pin code is :lol:


Remembering of course that you should clean/reverse everything above and renew ALL fluids (trans and diff incl.) before you start/drive it again in 6 months time.

The extent you go to is ultimately up to you and my list is probably on the anal end of things :lol: but if I valued the car that's what I'd do.

:)

DONT put WD40 on the rotors. What happens when you drive it and you get that WD40 into the brake pads? Say good bye to stoping and hello to smashed car!:spew:

[Space Pope]

Might be worth visiting some of the US forums to see what those guys do. Lots of Americans 'winter' cars when the temps start to drop and the salt starts getting thrown on the roads. Mostly to protect their precious cars from the elements and/or because high power rear-wheel drive cars are a pain in the arse to drive in ice and snow. Most of what they do would apply in your case.

One thing some do is add a Fuel Stabiliser like 'Sta-bil'. Not sure it is available here though.

http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/index.htm


Found this article from the RACQ that may help you prep the car for storage.

http://www.racq.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/racq_cms_production/hs.xsl/Motoring_Maint_Repairs_Foun_factsheet_car_storage_ ENA_HTML.htm

[DaveHAT]

DONT put WD40 on the rotors. What happens when you drive it and you get that WD40 into the brake pads? Say good bye to stoping and hello to smashed car!:spew:

I'd imagine that someone who's gone to the extent of protecting the car for storage purposes might just give the rotors and entire car a little bit of a clean with a drop or 2 of turps or degreaser before driving the car??? :confused:

:rolleyes:

[Desertws6]

Might be worth visiting some of the US forums to see what those guys do. Lots of Americans 'winter' cars when the temps start to drop and the salt starts getting thrown on the roads. Mostly to protect their precious cars from the elements and/or because high power rear-wheel drive cars are a pain in the arse to drive in ice and snow. Most of what they do would apply in your case.

One thing some do is add a Fuel Stabiliser like 'Sta-bil'. Not sure it is available here though.

http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/index.htm


Found this article from the RACQ that may help you prep the car for storage.

http://www.racq.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/racq_cms_production/hs.xsl/Motoring_Maint_Repairs_Foun_factsheet_car_storage_ ENA_HTML.htm

I use sta-bil on a regular basis, works great to keep the gas fresh.
Never store a vehicle or even a lawnmover dry, seals dry up! Gas begins the process of breakdown in a little as 2 weeks. After 9 months it's well on it's way into varnish. Varnish creates a real mess of a fuel system.
Came from salt county, stored stuff all the time.

Cheers,
Steve:)

[iamhappy46]

Fuel varnish is bad, especially if you try to run an ethanol additive fuel when it comes out of storage. Ethanol strips off the varnish lacquer from the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, etc and blocks up the fuel pump strainer, the fuel filter and the injectors...

[g00gz]

I had a car insured for a little bit under shannon's 'laid up' insurance cover. Criminally expensive !was $800 a year. On road insurance through them was $1200. 2/3 of the price just to insure a car that is locked away in a secure garage. go figure! :vpo: