Storing my W123 for 2.5 years: To dos?

[Screwdriva]

Greetings All,

I'm forced to store my W123 300D NA Auto here in London. It has just had a full paint respray and rust repair. Also had the Klima aircon kit installed and working as well.

New fluids/ filters all around with synthetic in the transmission/ differential. I've filled the tank to the brim with diesel and wondered if there was anything I should do to keep the car in the best possible condition for the 2.5 years it will need to stay of the road?

It will be covered in the garage and the handbrake won't be engaged. Would adding a diesel fuel additive like Techron to the tank be a bad idea? Any other must dos?

[Alec300SD]

Brake fluid flush.
Diesel fuel stabilizer.
Disconnect battery.
Tubs of dessicant in cabin and trunk.
(Optional - leave an open container of roasted coffee beans in the cabin)

Remove wheels and stack.
Support vehicle with 4 sturdy jackstands.
Support rear half axle shafts with 2 additional jackstands.

[Sugar Bear]

Alec300SD has made a good list.

If removing the wheels support the car on the suspension, not the frame with the wheels hanging.

Fully charge the battery and keep it charged if it is doable safely. Don't let the battery freeze.

Clean the car of every possible crumb of food to not attract mice.

Can ultrasonic rodent repellents be used in the storage area?

Slack the tension on the window mechanisms as slightly as possible.

Treat the weatherstripping with GummiPflege.

Add biocide to the fuel to prevent vs. remove fuel organisms.

Good luck!!

[greazzer]

I don’t know if Stabil or any of the fuel stabilizers really work 2+ years. You could hookup a small plastic bottle as a make shift fuel tank and do a “flush” with a mixture of synthetic tranny and 0 weight oil and just purge on your return. I mention this since I had an IP sit for a few years and I gave up trying to free some stuck elements. The old German steel can sit forever without issues or develop a few shortly. If you have any dampness you’re inviting mold

[Junkman]

I would add some startron to the tank. Definitely keep battery charged. Friend who used to work in aerospace industry says batteries discharge at xx% per month. I forgot amount but a full discharge takes 1 year off the life.

[JHZR2]

I wouldn’t change fluids until after sitting, if yours are reasonably fresh. I’d change them when getting ready to get back on the road.

I would however consider doing coolant before parking, because those inhibitors being fresh would be good.

I’d add some TCW-3 2-stroke oil into the diesel fuel. These two stroke oils have some stabilizers and add lubricity and stay-behind oil.

Consider dryer sheets in key areas to keep rodents out. That’s a bigger concern than sitting, IMO.

Air tires up to max sidewall.

Drive and put away very hot, like 30+ mikes highway, so all fluids are up to temperature and any moisture has had a chance to be driven off.

[vstech]

Large ziplock bag?

I am guessing stored indoors? Park on a tarp…

Remove the battery entirely.

I would disconnect the calipers and hang them from a wire. Quality jack stands are important.


All that said… I have cars that have sat outside for a decade, I changed the battery, drove the car onto a trailer, replaced tires and have used for a daily driver for over a year…

If you are wanting the car to remain showroom fresh, it needs a thorough cleaning, and needs to be stored in a climate controlled clean area…


If you are just worried about storing a driver while you are away, unless the tires are brand new, just plan on changing them when you get back, change the oil when you get back, and install a new battery… and drive.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by vstech

Remove the battery entirely.

Good advice. A discharged battery can freeze and crack the case.

[BillGrissom]

I jack most weight off the tires, but leave them touching the ground for stability. I have many little scissors jacks from cars back when they came with a spare tire, plus small jackstands I find cheap at thrift stores. Disconnect BAT- cable and occasionally connect a trickle charger. Fairly dry in CA where I live, so if under a carport to keep off sun and rain, a car lasts a long time, and can use a cover to keep dust off. If outdoors, don't use a cover in winter or remove it to dry out underside in the sun every week. Otherwise it will get wet underneath and trap water. I haven't seen one which doesn't leak a bit, nor last more than 2 years in the CA sun.

[Graham]

If it were me,
- I would do as Bill suggested - Jack car up to remove load off tires and support off jackstands so that tires just touch ground and are not hanging.
- Remove battery, fully charge and store indoors if possible. (It won't freeze in garage in London - not even here in Canada ) Recharge before re-using.
- Change oil before storing as well as before putting back in service. (due to condensation)
- I would only change coolant and brake fluid after putting car back in service.
- Fill tank and and add a product that will prevent corrosion, stabilize the fuel and act as a biocide! Not easy to find such a product! Besides owning my 300D for 30 yrs, my experience has mainly been with marine diesels. I have used Biobor and Startron. Run the engine for 10 min or so to get the additives mixed and into fuel delivery system.This article suggests both might be an option. It might be an idea to empty the tank and put in fresh fuel at end of storage. If disposal is a problem, add it back in small doses
- I don't do anything about mice. They don't seem to like our garage during our cold winters. But they are a concern.
- I like the idea of dessicant use for London which has a damp climate. They likely wont last for 2 1/2 years. Maybe check marine stores - they may have solutions that are used in boat cabins to prevent mould.
- I would use a car cover in garage.

[vwnate1]

What are the Coffee beans for ? .

I don't understand not dangling the wheels when in dead storage ~ I've seen far too many vehicles with sacked springs for sitting static for too long .

[Alec300SD]

Coffee beans used to make your nose happy on re-opening day.

Inner CV boots might fail prematurely from prolonged full droop of rear suspension.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by vwnate1

What are the Coffee beans for ? .

I don't understand not dangling the wheels when in dead storage ~ I've seen far too many vehicles with sacked springs for sitting static for too long .

I would rather drink the coffee. But so far as dangling the wheels? My suggestion was to raise the car just enough to take the load off the tires and avoid flat spots. Might also help avoid the CV boots taking an unusual set, but that is not something I thought of.

[vwnate1]

I'd rather drink it too .

$tarbuck$ gave me several bags of used coffee grounds for my plants, one of the bags fell over and leaked coffee into the clean, unworn rear palomino mats in my '82 240D, I was horrified and took them out, cleaned well as soon as I got home, soap washed the floor too but I can still slightly smell coffee in the car .

Not a bad smell to me but I worry about permanent damage .

To many oldies I bought back had collapsed springs for being left on their wheels .