I am going travelling for 6 months, so I will store my '95 e300d during that time.

Does anyone have advice about doing this?

Fuel tank full or empty?

What should I do when "reviving" the car? I assume I should get the oil changed right away. Is there anything else to do?

Are you storing it inside? I would store it with a full tank and put a battery maintainer on it and come back in 6 months and fire her up.

(Changing the oil just before storage would be a good idea also. I'm thinking that would cut down on any corrosion possibilities.)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

What kind of climate do you live in?

Changing the oil and a battery minder are good pieces of advice.

I would also add some fungicide to the fuel tank.

Some will even go so far as to put the car on stands to let the suspension relax and to avoid flat spots on the tires that can occur from sitting so long, especially if the climate is a cold one.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

All I would do is disconnect the battery and clean the top off so it cant dis charge on you. Should fire right up when you need it.

mine sat in storage for over a year before i got it and it fired right up with nothing done before or after it was parked but it was in a garage

The car will be parked in indoor storage, in Los Angeles.

I haven't rented a storage space, yet, so I don't know if I will have an electrical outlet available.

I have had poor luck with sitting batteries. If I had a friend that would keep the battery in service while I was gone it would be better than left not in use. Perhaps a maintanance trickle charger helps. I do not know. Anyways my experience is that a battery lasts the longest if in pretty constant service for some reason. Sitting six months or more inactive will reduce it's lifespan to some degree. But other peoples experience will vary. Once in awhile the battery becomes a total loss from this kind of treatment. But if forced to leave it I agree with the suggestion of removing the cables and cleaning the top. The absolute best storage is to drain the electrolite and pour it back in when you return if possible. A lot of modern battery designs will not allow you do this. They are semi sealed or sealed designs.

My experience with leaving my 307d stored for about 9 months two times is this:

Drive into storage space. Turn off engine. Lock door.
Upon return: Charge battery. Put key in ignition. Start and drive away.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I parked my 300D for about four months. All I did was disconnect the battery. If I were storing it for six months, however, I'd put it up on jackstands- sitting for six months without moving is bad news for your tires. If possible, a battery tender is a great option- you can pick them up for $15 at Harbor Freight, $8 on sale. I have one, and it's been working fine for years. Also, I'd give it about a half to a quarter tank, and use a fuel stabilizer.

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1984 300D Turbo Diesel - 211700+ mileage (now sold)
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Ned/benz/sig.jpg
In any of my posts, it is safe to assume
that I'm talking about this car.

i would do this. full tank, fuel stabilizer and treatment. 30 pounds in the tires. unhook the battery.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I routinely rotate cars in and out of service - the benefits of a fleet. When one breaks something I fix it when I feel like it, and in the mean time drive something else.

In SoCal inside storage, all you need to do is park it. Its a little better if you change the oil if its nearly due, and a little better with the fuel tank full. But in your climate you don't really need fuel stabilizer for diesel.

If your battery is in good shape I don't see any reason to disconnect it. Remember on these new-fangled cars the radios need a code if you disconnect the battery - hope you have the code.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Inflate the tires to the limit posted on the sidewalls or put the car on jackstands to avoid those flatspots. If you put it on jackstands pray for no earthquakes

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

on current oil, change it, then drive and get the car up to full operating temp for at least 30 minutes. if your tires are newish, pressurize them fully, if your tread is about gone, don't worry, you will need to change them soon anyway.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!