WINTER STORAGE SUGGESTIONS - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ready-ronnie · #1 10-13-2009, 09:35 AM

I searched the forum and didn't find much. I would like suggestions on how to prepare my diesel for winter storage ie, full tank or not, winter blended fuel or summer. any additives for algae, tires off cement, etc. It will be stored in an insulated garage that does not freeze,+40. Thanks for any suggestions.

dieseldan44 · #2 10-13-2009, 09:58 AM

When I have asked this in the past I was advised:

- winter fuel, filled up in tank. Add biocide if paranoid, but it's probably fine.
- freshly changed oil
- wheels off ground, but, you are probably fine at 40 F +
- disconnect battery and bring inside
- if mice may be a problem, but steel wool in exhaust pipe

In the spring:
- install battery
- change oil after first drive
- change fuel filters at the same time

dd

toomany MBZ · #3 10-13-2009, 10:10 AM

Can't add anything.

daw_two · #4 10-13-2009, 10:13 AM

I was going to add that adding a dryer fabric softener sheet to the car has been reported to keep the mice out.

pawoSD · #5 10-13-2009, 10:21 AM

My dad just parks it in the garage and turns it off.

We put a trickle charger on the battery, and run it maybe once a month to operating temp...that's it.

In the spring, he starts it, and drives away.

He does fill up the tank before he parks it.

kerry · #6 10-13-2009, 10:34 AM

I twice stored my 307d for a year in a farmer's barn. Procedure was simple. Turn off key, open door, walk away.

#7 10-13-2009, 10:44 AM

My wife doesn't normally use the 240D in the winter. I just sits in the garage, I try to start it and/or take it for a little ride every few weeks.

oldsinner111 · #8 10-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldan44

When I have asked this in the past I was advised:

- winter fuel, filled up in tank. Add biocide if paranoid, but it's probably fine.
- freshly changed oil
- wheels off ground, but, you are probably fine at 40 F +
- disconnect battery and bring inside
- if mice may be a problem, but steel wool in exhaust pipe

In the spring:
- install battery
- change oil after first drive
- change fuel filters at the same time

dd

Thats like the Race Driver in the book On the Beach.

Shawn T. W. · #9 10-13-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldan44

When I have asked this in the past I was advised:

- winter fuel, filled up in tank. Add biocide if paranoid, but it's probably fine.
- freshly changed oil
- wheels off ground, but, you are probably fine at 40 F +
- disconnect battery and bring inside
- if mice may be a problem, but steel wool in exhaust pipe

In the spring:
- install battery
- change oil after first drive
- change fuel filters at the same time

dd

In the spring you need to remove the steel wool if it was used, it won't be so messy , if you do this before it is started.

babymog · #10 10-13-2009, 12:05 PM

No need for winter fuel, I always store with summer fuel as much as possible.

If you have the need to occasionally operate the car in the winter, and it will be significantly below 20*F where it will be parked and therefore lowering the temperature of the fuel to that point, you will want winter fuel or an anti-gel / wax-point depressant additive.

The summer fuel has more BTU/h (energy & power).

RML · #11 10-13-2009, 06:40 PM

I put moth crystals in the air intake and in the air cleaner housing to keep the mice away. Last year I sprinkled it around inside the car as well but it took a few months for that smell to dissipate from the cabin in the spring. I'll just do it in the engine compartment this year.

I have read that pumping the tires way up will keep them from getting a flat spot.

I did not disconnect my battery. I had no trouble starting in the spring. My garage stays at around probably 25 F to 40 F.

Skippy · #12 10-13-2009, 07:46 PM

I've stored vehicles a few times:

1. '86 Lincoln Town Car (gasser). Filled tank, parked it in late spring, disconnected battery, walked away. Came back in the fall, reconnected battery, checked fluids and tires, drove away. It ran a little funny from the gas being a little old, but as soon as I ran it down and filled it with fresh gas it was back to normal.

2. Same car. Same procedure. Same results.

3. '83 300D. Filled it up with summer diesel as it was the middle of summer. Parked indoors, disconnected battery. Came back the following spring, reconnected battery, drove off. No issues.

4. '77 240D. Filled it up with summer diesel (middle of summer), drove to my friend's house where he agreed to let me leave it. Handed him keys and encouraged him to drive it once a week, more if he felt like it. Friend broke up with girlfriend and had to move. Car sat long enough for the battery to die. Skinny jumper cables proved unable to fire the beast in cold weather. Provided instructions for an alternate method of starting via email from 8,000 miles away. Car was then moved to friend's new girlfriend's place. I showed up the following spring to a dead battery and a missing fuel cap. Replaced battery and fuel cap. Also replaced two tires due to dry rot.

4. 300D again. After pulling it out of indoor storage in Nevada, proceeded to drive 2500 miles to Georgia and left it at my dad's house. Handed him the keys and encouraged him to drive it once a week or so. Copiously reminded him that it takes diesel fuel, not gasoline. Some time later, provided instructions for finding proper Mercedes coolant via email from about 8,000 miles away. Returned the following fall, washed it, changed the oil, and drove off. No issues.

5. 240D again. After retrieving from friend's GF's place and performing above mentioned maintenance, drove into storage unit formerly occupied by 300D with full tank of diesel (month of May so I think it was summer diesel), disconnected battery and left it. Returned the following fall, reconnected battery and drove off. Ended up replacing fuel filters soon after. Also did the other two tires.