Advice on Indefinite Storage of Functioning Parts Car - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #16 10-03-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIESELVOLVO

It is definitely better to run the engine periodically. In a diesel it is not quite as critical as a gasser. Be thankful that the fuel essentially lasts forever and will not gum up the works after sitting for a few months like the "new gas" would. A car idling will definately take longer to get to operating temp but it will get there. The most damaging about storing a car long term is mice. If there is any way of keeping them out of an idle automobile for sure I have not found it.

Killing every mouse within a mile of your property works.

Running it periodically even if the fluids don't get super warm is better because it keeps everything coated in oil etc, seals moist in the trans, and so on. 25 mins a month is not even 6 hrs a year of run time....maybe 2 gallons a year of fuel at most....diesel lasts forever. We do keep ours completely covered in tarps (several) so it stays nice and dry. Starts right up every time like its ready to hit the road. Sadly it cannot.

We've been doing this for about 9 months....retired it in January when the trailing arm failed...its a frankenbenz too, has a 2.47 diff conversion.

I fully plan to run my 420 at least 30-45 mins a month this winter to keep it good to go...and to use up the fuel to prevent it from getting gross. I'll add a couple fresh gallons a couple times.