Storing a car for long periods of time - any tips?

[Jondot]

I've decided while wearing some sensible trousers that I can't afford to keep my car in Leeds (or indeed on the road at all) for the forseeable future. Now selling it would incur a huge loss of money as it's not exactly mint and used car values have dropped by a few more percent since last year, so we've come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is declare it as SORN, have my mum insure it in her name under 3rd Party F&T and just leave it on the driveway to uh... rust.

Now as it stands, I won't be insured on the car at all for god knows how long - probably not from the end of this month until about the beginning of December - and my mum won't want to do anything to it much beyond switching it on once every now and again. Is there anything I need to be particularly worried about beyond the battery discharging its self?



Any tips/advice appreciated 👍

 

[nk4e]

Every so often, warm up the engine.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

^ +1, that's pretty much all there is to it really. The Sierra's in the same position at the moment because I've been waiting on a few parts that have to be put on to actually make it safe for driving (mainly the windscreen surround, as the wipers are completely jammed up and have ceased to work because of it), and basically what I do is once a week I warm up the engine, maybe take it for a quick spin around the block when it's not raining.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

I'd say to fire it up every week and let it idle until it hits operating temp and to drive it around the block every couple weeks.

 

[kikie]

Remove the wheels and put blocks under your car. It's also a good anti theft thing.

I also heard that the breaks suffer a lot when a car is put into storage. Remove the brake blocks, or turn the disc brakes once in a while.

Not sure about this but remove the battery.

Also wash your car once in a while

Rub all the rubber sealings around the windows, inside the doors, boot lid with grease or vaseline.

Don't deflate the tires. Not even when you remove the wheels from your car.

Remove the windshield wipers and put them inside somewhere dry.

Fill your gas tank to the top or remove the gas oline (or diesel) entirely. I'm not sure about removing it though. What I do know is that leaving your gas tank half filled, can case rust inside your tank.

This is how far my limited knowledge reaches. If something is not right, don't hesitate to correct me.


EDIT: I forgot, put in new oil before you put your car in storage.

 

[Jondot]

Every so often, warm up the engine.

^ +1, that's pretty much all there is to it really. The Sierra's in the same position at the moment because I've been waiting on a few parts that have to be put on to actually make it safe for driving (mainly the windscreen surround, as the wipers are completely jammed up and have ceased to work because of it), and basically what I do is once a week I warm up the engine, maybe take it for a quick spin around the block when it's not raining.

I'd say to fire it up every week and let it idle until it hits operating temp and to drive it around the block every couple weeks.

Excellent, I'll be sure to get her to do that a couple of times a month 👍

Remove the wheels and put blocks under your car. It's also a good anti theft thing.

Is there any benefit to this beyond being an anti-theft measure? Because I doubt my particularly middle-class mother wants a rusty Ka on bricks parked on her driveway And this place tends to be like Craggy Island in terms of crimerate.

I also heard that the breaks suffer a lot when a car is put into storage. Remove the brake blocks, or turns the disc brakes once in a while.

Not a huge concern, the brakes are on their last legs anyway

Fill your gas tank to the top or remove the gas oline (or diesel) entirely. I'm not sure about removing it though. What I do know is that leaving your gas tank half filled, can case rust inside your tank.

Ahh, now this one I was wondering about. I'll make sure to do that 👍

 

[kikie]

Is there any benefit to this beyond being an anti-theft measure? Because I doubt my particularly middle-class mother wants a rusty Ka on bricks parked on her driveway And this place tends to be like Craggy Island in terms of crimerate.

If you're planning on driving around the block once in a while, it's better you don't remove the wheels.

Not a huge concern, the brakes are on their last legs anyway

I meant to say, if you put your car in storage, the breaks, mmm how can I say this in proper English, block. You won't be able to turn the wheels anymore. That's what I was trying to say. But if you're planning on driving around the block once in a while, there won't be any problems with the brakes.

 

[opladener]

The pads can get stuck to the discs due to rust, I believe thats what kikie is trying to say.

 

[Fastas]

The brakes probably will seize but this usually occurs if they are applied, i.e. the hand-brake. You should consider leaving the brakes off and chocking the wheels.

It's a good idea to disconnect/remove the battery, it should protect it from draining and of course act as a good anti-theft device.

That advice above about the a full service and the fuel/tank sounded good too.

 

[kikie]

The pads can get stuck to the discs due to rust, I believe thats what kikie is trying to say.

Yes, exactly! Thank you! 👍

The brakes probably will seize but this usually occurs if they are applied, i.e. the hand-brake. You should consider leaving the brakes off and chocking the wheels.

It's a good idea to disconnect/remove the battery, it should protect it from draining and of course act as a good anti-theft device.

That advice above about the a full service and the fuel/tank sounded good too.

Again, thank you.

 

[opladener]

I'd put a bit more air in the tires, too if you can't keep it jacked up.
And move it from time to time, so you don't get flat spots.

Fill up the gas tank and put some fuel stabilizer in, the fuel doesn't get better with time.

If you start the engine, let it warm up completely, otherwise you will get rust in your engine/exhaust due to condensed water.

 

[Cale]

Make sure moisture can not come up through the floor. If you feel the need to do so maybe lay a tarp down.

 

[eSZee]

Put "stabil" or whatever you guys have in the UK int he tank to prevent the fuel from going bad.
Start it up every couple of weeks.
Have a trickle charger connected to the battery if you can.
I would suggest supporting the car on jackstands so that you don't get flat spots on your tires.

 

[Jondot]

Again, all useful tips 👍 Cheers guys.

I meant to say, if you put your car in storage, the breaks, mmm how can I say this in proper English, block. You won't be able to turn the wheels anymore. That's what I was trying to say. But if you're planning on driving around the block once in a while, there won't be any problems with the brakes.

The pads can get stuck to the discs due to rust, I believe thats what kikie is trying to say.

The brakes probably will seize but this usually occurs if they are applied, i.e. the hand-brake. You should consider leaving the brakes off and chocking the wheels.

Ohhhhh I see. Right, so definitely give it a go around the block every now and again then.

 

[homeforsummer]

Ohhhhh I see. Right, so definitely give it a go around the block every now and again then.

Yes, it's good advice. My MX5 took quite a few revs and a bit of clutch brutality to free it from seized brakes when it was left standing over Winter with a broken clutch slave cylinder.

 

[tein]

Hi,
Actually we should be sure to wash under the car to remove any dirt, especially from the the wheel wells. Clean the interior extensively, being especially vigilant about all food scraps and particles. Removing the carpets for heated indoor storage will prevent them from becoming musty.

 

[Philly]

I pulled the GTI out of summer storage today. I just put Stabil in the fuel tank and made sure that it was started frequently and that it got up to operating temperature. It runs just fine now.

 

[Jondot]

Ahh, quick question: how would you chaps define 'operating temperature'? There's no temperature dial in the Ka, so I can't exactly go off that. Is it a case of run for X amount of minutes and it'll probably be there?

 

[Ibonibo]

Heating up a engine in idle is not good for the mecanics.
When it's still registered drive it once a week for about 30 km, 30min to warm it up and don't rev it up too much

brakes will get a bit of rust but with a bit of braking it will be gone.

now if you really want to store it, clean it first and get some "tarmak"? for the chassis (the black spray to conserve). Look for a dry spot (not too much moisture) and take out the battery. If you gave new tires on it take them off or you will get a standing flat (it will knock afterwards and steering wheel will rumble at a certain speed).
You can also put a pound of coffee in the interior to absorb moisture, or silicea.
And get a car cover so it doesn't get to much dust on the paint, otherwise it will scretch when cleaning afterwards
That is good if you stock it for a few months.This will be your case. And as you don't have insurance and can't drive it and may not want to take of the tires, you can push it every week a few inch forward and next week a bit back so the tires don't have the same contact point all the time.
Not turning on the engine will not harm it for a few months, just when you take it back on the road make sure to change the engine oil.

if you wanna stock it for years, you should consider getting most of the fluids out either before restarting it or before stocking it .


Edit : saw you're in england so moisture will probably be a problem

 

[E38]

It depends what you are planning on doing with the car and how long before you're planning to put it back on the road, if at all.

For anything under three months of storage, I'd:
1. Get a good breathable car cover (as you mention it'll be left on the driveway)
2. Wash the car thoroughly and give it a good wax before applying the cover.
3. Either remove the battery or get a battery conditioner/trickle charger
4. Start the car once a week and take it for a 30 min drive once a fortnight.

For six months to 12 months I'd:
1. Get a good breathable car cover (as you mention it'll be left on the driveway)
2. Wash the car thoroughly and give it a good wax before applying the cover and wash and wax the car every couple of months (more if you are in a salty area).
3. Get the car a full service (oil, coolant, brake fluid)
4. Remove the battery
5. Over inflate the tyres (prevents flat spotting and cracking)
6. Get some axle stands and put the car up on those (keeps the weight off of the tyres and suspension components).
7. Leave the car in neutral (not park, or in gear) and leave the handbrake off (it won't serve any purpose if the car is on stands anyway).
8. Put fuel stabliser in the fuel tank.

When you are ready to put the car back on the road get it fully serviced (Fuel filter, brake fluid and pads, oil change etc).

For storage any longer than 2 years:
1. Don't bother. It's only a KA. Take the financial hit now, as it will have depreciated so much over two years to make the hassle of storing it pointless.

 

[Jondot]

The driving-every-week plan doesn't quite work - I'll be 250 miles away, and I'm declaring it as off the road in order to save giving Mr Cameron £200 a year. So unless someone in West Yorkshire has a race track I can drive it round once a week, that's not really a possibility

Either that or I'll have to give in and re-tax it so my mum can give it a drive every now and again. In which case, screw the storage plan - I'll just tell her to go to Sainsburys in that once a week instead of her car.