going away for a month...what should i do w/car? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hedpe · #1 07-08-2002, 02:09 PM

Alright guys, i'm going to greece for a month, and of course i'm leaving the 500E and the 300SEL behind. But what should I do with them? A cousin of mine wants to drive them around for me while i'm gone to keep them alive, but I really don't feel comfortable with other people driving my cars, expecially the 500E as he has an extremely lead foot and is an extremely aggressive driver. But from what I understand, I shouldn't just let them sit there for a month...what do you guys think? Should i just disconnect the battery? Thanks guys.

G-Benz · #2 07-08-2002, 02:21 PM

One month isn't a long period of time to leave a car alone...my only concern would be the gas.

Fuels these days break down in about a month or so. Over a long period, they can varnish in the intakes and cause starting problems. If you can, use up what's left in the tank and fill up with fresh fuel.

Will the cars be garaged? I hope so. Still, a car cover would be nice...one month of dust accumulation is pretty dramatic.

hedpe · #3 07-08-2002, 02:24 PM

Yup they're going to be garaged and house alarmed with the keys gone

I can get car covers for them if need be. So you're saying i should fill up the tanks before I go with new fuel?

#4 07-08-2002, 02:53 PM

I've let my SEL sit for a few months, didn't do anything except put a clean bed sheet over it. No probs.

If you're concerned about fuel, add some stabilizer to a full tank, but that seems extreme (IMHO) for only 1 month.

I'd just cover it and enjoy Greece!

Kestas · #5 07-08-2002, 03:41 PM

I've been storing cars for 25 years. One month can drain your battery...keep it disconnected until you get back. I don't think one month will affect the fuel significantly. I've driven on 6-month old fuel! Though I agree with G-Benz. He's saying that rather than keeping the tank full, you may want to keep it near empty. That way you can fill up with fresh fuel when you come back.

daddiojiggy · #6 07-08-2002, 04:36 PM

i think what he's saying(or if not,this is what I would do)is:run all the fuel out of the cars that you can.whether the tank is 1/4,2/4 or 4/4 the fuel will break down,so the less there is in there the better.there is an additive called'stay-bil' for fuel that suppossedly slows down the breakdown process but i don't know if i would want that going through my injectors.for me,the best thing i could do would be to leave as little as possible in the tank and be prepared to be going to the gas station as the first thing i did when i got home.that reminds me,you know how they sepperate the men from the boys in greece?--with a crowbar!!ha
have a good time!

pentoman · #7 07-08-2002, 05:28 PM

Both mine often sit in the street for more than a month at a time, there really is NO problem whatsoever - and this is *definitely* preferable to other people driving your cars (esp. leadfoot nutters ;-) .

Who knows what one person driving the car hard without letting it warm up will do? - You can be sure a lot more damage than leaving the car to sit.

later

Ken300D · #8 07-08-2002, 07:10 PM

A month is essentially nothing - in terms of storage in a garage.

I believe a lead-acid storage battery loses something like 10% of its charge per month. Naturally you will lose more running the on-board equipment. When you get back, put a charger on it and you'll be all set.

Currently I drive one car in the summer and another in the winter. I don't let the off-season one sit the whole time, but they do sit as much as a month anytime.

The more fuel you have in the tank the less it will degrade overall - because there is less interaction with air.

Enjoy your trip, knowing that your car is safely parked inside!

Ken300D

arif · #9 07-08-2002, 11:56 PM

l've let my 500 sel sit for over 6 weeks. all l did was to run the gas tank run to almost empty and disconnected the battery; car started immediately upon return and has been running good as new since.

enjoy Greece.

Kevin_300CE · #10 07-09-2002, 02:24 PM

I always store my car during the winter in the garage. I always ensure that all the fluids or changed prior to the storage. As for the gas it is best to store the tank FULL with a fresh tank of gas. The reason behind this are:

1) Safety: the fumes in the tank are explosive, less air space = less fumes

2) Less air space = less corrosion possibilty.

3) More gas the longer it will take for it to break down.

These may not be the best reasons for storing a car with a full tank, but it make sense.

Just my 2 cents. Enjoy you trip

G-Benz · #11 07-09-2002, 04:35 PM

And yes, I DID mean to use up whatever gas you had left and refuel PRIOR to storage.

I have stored my Beetle (at one time for five years) with a full tank of gas, but I also had an electric fuel pump with a kill switch on the dash.

When preparing for storage, I would shut the pump off and let the engine use up what was left in the carb float bowls and let the engine die.

You don't have that luxury, but then, fuel-injected systems are not as prone to varnishing as carbs.

But you are only gone for a month, so why am I babbling about this?!!!