Long term storage of 95 E320 W124

[gjones8131]

Unfortunately the time has come for me to stop using the old girl as a daily driver and start fixing her up. Can anyone share some good tips for long term storage in a garage? Car is a 95 E320 W124 wagon.



I am planning on doing a full teardown/rebuild of the engine components and suspension as well. I'd really like to restore the car back to her full glory, but it is going to take quite a while I think. I'd like to make sure things are not getting worse with the car sitting around.



Getting her up on jack stands is an obvious one to avoid flat spots (any suggestions on good stands for this are welcome!). Not sure what do do with the fuel and other fluids. Given that I will be taking components out to replace, I can't regularly start the car or drive it around.



Appreciate the input!

[Sugar Bear]

Put fresh premium fuel in it double dosed with Sta-Bil and put some oil in the cylinders.

Why an engine rebuild? Does it burn oil? M104's run very well for a very long time, mine had 361K miles until a head gasket failure. Compression test at 180K and around 310K were perfect. Consider a compression or leak down test before pulling the engine apart. The rebuild could be $$$ and time with no gain.

Good luck!!!

[gjones8131]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Put fresh premium fuel in it double dosed with Sta-Bil and put some oil in the cylinders.

Why an engine rebuild? Does it burn oil? M104's run very well for a very long time, mine had 361K miles until a head gasket failure. Compression test at 180K and around 310K were perfect. Consider a compression or leak down test before pulling the engine apart. The rebuild could be $$$ and time with no gain.

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the suggestions! I know Stabil generally keeps fuel good for 1 year. I doubt I will use a full tank of gas in that period, so is it easy to drain the fuel?



I think I misspoke also, I meant engine compartment rebuild, not the internal parts... Everything is old and corroded and needs replacing, including the headgasket.

[Sugar Bear]

I think you can get two years with a double dose and starting with fresh fuel. May be best to ask Sta-Bil/Gold Eagle directly.

The tank could be drained at the hose connecting to the fuel pumps from the bottom of the tank. If it is a general overall refresh of the car that hose could be replaced anyway. Remember even when draining the tank fuel remains in the injectors, rail, pumps, filter and lines so use extra Sta-Bil either way.

Good luck!!!

[rob300SD]

You can buy a fluid pump at Walmart for $10 and just pump the fuel out into Jerry cans.
I agree on the Stabil treatment.

You can get nice jackstands at NAPA. Any will do though.