Hi all hope you've all been well, it's been a while since I've last posted.

Just an opinion needed please. My 240D is stored in an underground garage (unheated) for the winter. It's not jacked, it's just resting on some foam. Does it make sense to start it once and a while and drive it around a bit or should I just say 'see you in the spring' and leave her alone?

Thanks all for the replies.

I would worry about sticky rings... maybe not after just one cold season.

I know diesel boat engines going into storage usually get an oil change right before coming out of the water.

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

I would take some weight off the tires, take the battery out and if you want run it awhile, but being underground I assume not ventilated well, but if it is then run it once an awhile

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Worst thing you can do is crank it, run it for 5-10 minutes, and shut it down again. This condenses moisture into the oil, and into the exhaust system, and then neither gets hot enough to "burn back out" before you shut it down again. As a result, you end up with dirtier oil, probably dirtier engine innards (fuel injectors, soot, etc) and an exhaust system that's more likely to rust sooner. Not to mention it drains the battery from the cranking effort, and doesn't really do the engine much good.

If I were storing one, I'd either park it and let it be until I was ready to use it again, or if I had the option, any time I did start it (maybe monthly?) I wouldn't shut it down again until after it had been run, on an interstate highway, and run well up to running temperature and then exercised there for 20 minutes at least.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I'd just pull battery till Spring and put it on a trickle charge before you need it. They say Spring is just around the corner.

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1982 300SD

I knew i'd have fast replies! By far the best forum i've ever used.

I don't crank her and let it run then shut it down. I take her for a little boot for about 10-15 mins then park her again and disconnect the negative terminal. I charged the battery FULLY before storing it but left it in the car disconnected.

240d up for the winter? These things were made for the frigid Northern winter, the heaters can roast a pork chop in 20 minutes flat.

In all seriousness, if you can't get at least 30mins of interstate running time, then just leave it until spring and change the oil before you fire it up again for the first time in months.

I've got a similar question.

I'm about to leave the country for up to a year. I'll be parking the 240D under a little shade but still it will be outside. Its been 2k miles since the last oil change. Should I change the oil before storing? Should I fill the cylinders with MMO or something to keep them protected? I'm in West Texas, so humidity is NOT a problem. I was going to disconnect the battery and maybe put it up on blocks. What else?

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'82 240D 224K miles manual transmission
mods: wooden 4by4 bumper, EGR delete and older EX manifold without EGR port, glass pack muffler (cheapest replacement muffler), rebuilt bosch injectors with Monark nozzles

working on: aux electric fuel pump, coolant/fuel heat exchanger/filter head, afterglow, low oil pressure buzzer/LED

I might spray some fogging oil in the intake as I shut if down for the last time. Don't think I'd bother with much else.

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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

When I did that I paid a little extra and got indoor storage. I also changed the oil right before I put it away, but it was due for that anyway. I had had some charging issues immediately prior, so the battery wasn't fully charged when parked, but after a LONG time sitting with a boost from an MR2 it started again and came back nicely with resumed regular use.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

So would you fill the fuel tank up or drain it?

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'82 240D 224K miles manual transmission
mods: wooden 4by4 bumper, EGR delete and older EX manifold without EGR port, glass pack muffler (cheapest replacement muffler), rebuilt bosch injectors with Monark nozzles

working on: aux electric fuel pump, coolant/fuel heat exchanger/filter head, afterglow, low oil pressure buzzer/LED

Id fill the fuel tank. Id also, if parking it outside, block off the air intake with some tape or cardboard or such to keep field mice out of the air filter.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I stored cars in different environments and my personal recommendations, which I still follow:
1. Change oil before storage season.
2. Remove or disconnect battery and put on a troickle charger if you leave it disconnected.
3. Check the antifreeze level before storing
4. Jack the vehicle off the ground with plywood underneath to absorb extra moisture.
5. Run the car once a month for 30-45 minutes. Full operating temp is needed to get a;ll the moisture out of the system
6. Put Hide Food on the leather.

Wax the outside, even if you don't buff it. Turds will attach themselves to the car, otherwise.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I want to hear more about this

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I guess its means cars are turd magnets? Waxing is a good idea.

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'82 240D 224K miles manual transmission
mods: wooden 4by4 bumper, EGR delete and older EX manifold without EGR port, glass pack muffler (cheapest replacement muffler), rebuilt bosch injectors with Monark nozzles

working on: aux electric fuel pump, coolant/fuel heat exchanger/filter head, afterglow, low oil pressure buzzer/LED