I want to store a W123 for six months, maybe more. Do diesels require any special storage procedures over gassers?

What would you do to store your diesel? What precautions would you take aside from battery removal, to ensure trouble free restarting in the spring, and to prevent the ingress of moisture, insects or rodents? (mice destroyed the headliner and carpets of a 66' Dodge Charger I once owned and stored for a few years. Hornets moved into the glove compartment of a 55 Chev Sedan Delivery - very horrible and painful suprise)

I doubt I will use a tarp, but will use a sunshield to save the dash. (I had a 240Z Datsun uncovered after a winter under a tarp to reveal big blisters of moisture had bubbled up my nice new Iberian Red paint job)
I have had a few Storage Disasters, and wish to avoid more.

No special storage requirements for the diesel engine. Diesel being a light oil, it doesn't evaporate or turn to varnish like gasoline does. 6 months is a piece of cake - you'll have no problem. Just fill the fuel tank to avoid moisture accumulation there.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Treat it like a boat, clean it up, change the oil, and throw a little biocide in the tank if it is going to be warm out. The tank should also be full to prevent condensation. If you have a junk set of tires use those if not block it up to take the weight off of the tires. Take the battery out and keep it charged. Also a car cover couldn't hurt.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

About the tarp, you're absolutely correct. Use a car cover instead as it will breathe. Tarps hold in moisture and will cause all kinds of problems. I just bought a tarp that has "Not for covering automobiles" printed on the bag.

I know diesel fuel has a useful life but don't know how long it is. You should be OK for 6 months, but if the car runs badly when you restart you may have to drain and refill the tank.

Neal

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'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

I used a car cover all last winter over my 87 300D and the clearcoat was dulled at all four fender corners. Even after tightening the cover, the wind still caused the cover to chafe!

I'd raise her up on jackstands to get the pressure off the tires. One of those trickle chargers would be nice to keep the battery up (top up the water first) and perhaps a solar charger might be a good idea if you are not near an AC outlet. It could be stuck to a cover or something solid with cable ties.

That stabilizer they use for gas mowers in the fuel might be helpful, or perhaps some algaecide made for Diesel fuel.

Old sheets or towels on the seats, dashboard and back shelf would keep the Sun off, and would still permit the leather/Tex to breathe.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)