Proper storage for W210 98 E300 turbodiesel?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Argospete · #1 05-22-2011, 10:06 AM

I am sending my 98 e300 turbodiesel across the pond to Europe to my father and wanted information on exactly what would be the proper way to store the car while its not being driven. The car will probably be driven one month out of the year and the rest of the time locked up in a garage. What do I do gentleman?? Put it on lifts to save the tires?? have someone start it once a month? what about the battery??? and potential rodent problems??? fuel issues???? It has 98,000 miles and is in beautiful condition. I am happy that this car will never see another day of snow or salt in its life, just a few rays from the mediterranean sun. I had an 81 300D for the past 11 years there but have decided to get something more modern.

Jeremy5848 · #2 05-22-2011, 12:25 PM

Immediately before the vehicle goes into its 11-month hibernation:
1. Fill the fuel tank.
2. Change the oil and filter.
3. Put the battery on a trickle charger and put the charger on a timer (an hour or two a day is more than enough to keep the battery alive). Options: (a) disconnect the battery negative cable or (b) remove the battery. This requires resetting the clock and the radio memory when the car is restored to service. If the battery is removed, do not set it directly on concrete -- use a wooden board. The trickle charger advice still applies.
4. Do not start the car once a month. Does more harm than good.
5. Consider rodent traps at strategic locations. Remember where you put them.
6. Air the tires up to 35-40 psi.
7. Cover the car.

When the car emerges from storage, reverse all of the above changes and drive it normally but change the fuel filters after about 100 miles, to remove anything that might have settled out of the fuel.

Jeremy

Argospete · #3 05-22-2011, 02:02 PM

In regards to the tires, would putting 35-40 psi in them avoid flat spots??? Is putting it on lifts not a good idea??

Renntag · #4 05-22-2011, 04:58 PM

Agree with above, how ever, I'd use a 'smart charger' that floats and monitors battery condition. This is something that can have a pig tail attached to the battery or the leads under the hood, the charger plugs into the connector at the end of the lead. Easy on and off.

With respect to tires, I previously have seen curved mounts that you drive up onto. Imagine something akin to a block of wood under each tire with an arch shape that compliments the tire shape. Simply drive up onto a set of four. They could be attached to the floor allowing the driver to park on them everytime.

Dont forget to flush the brake fluid, engine coolant and change the trans fluid as well.

Keeping it in a dry garage under a cover will be good long term storing.

Jeremy5848 · #5 05-22-2011, 07:00 PM

Getting the weight off of the tires would help; the question comes down to one of judgement as to the length of storage time. One year is kinda marginal, IMHO. If you have four jackstands sitting around doing nothing, you certainly could jack up the four corners. OTOH, that would stretch out the suspension, which may have adverse consequences -- I've no experience in that area. The curved mounts sound like a good compromise.

Coolant and brake fluid should be changed every two years although some prefer a change every year. In any case, Renntag is right, it should at least be on the list of things to check before storage and when the car comes out of mothballs. Transmission fluid is a 30,000 mile item with most folks so I'm not sure a change is indicated but it should at least be checked.

All of this assumes indoor storage and assumes the car has no leaks going into storage including all fluids and tires.

Skippy · #6 05-22-2011, 08:13 PM

I've had to put cars in storage before and didn't suffer much in the way of issues. The most recent example was when I put my 300D away for a year. I left it sitting on the tires with a pressure of about 35 psi all around when I parked it. I did not get flat spots. I disconnected the battery when I put it in storage and had a nearly dead battery when I got back. I had had a charging system issue immediately before and the battery probably wasn't fully charged when I stored it. I changed the oil right before putting it away, and I'm still running on the same oil (looks fine) two months after reactivating the car. I had run a tank of B99 in the car a few tanks before the storage and had switched to straight #2 for its better long term storage capability. Unfortunately, there was still some bio left in the mix when I stored the car. I ended up changing fuel filters shortly after starting to drive it again. Aside from the dead battery and the fuel filters, the only other issue I encountered was a loss of brake fluid. Some (all?) appears to have leaked out around the rubber grommets that connect the reservoir to the master cylinder, but there may be some hanging out inside my brake booster. I still haven't checked. Anyway, after refilling the brake fluid, the level didn't drop again. I've since changed the fluid because it was overdue by time.

Argospete · #7 05-22-2011, 10:38 PM

I have already changed the oil and put around 1000 miles so far and have changed the tranny fluid and the fuel lines and fuel filters...Tires are brand new........Pirelli p600 Where can I buy those ramps that were mentioned???? or just get a set of jackstands?? also, where can I purchase an inexpesive carcover, don't want to break the bank on one as already spending 1200 to ship the car...coolant?? hmmm...did not check??? what kind should I use?? or should I bring some with me as the damn oil and parts in Greece are very expensive.......

The battery is brand new, just replaced.

Jeremy5848 · #8 05-22-2011, 11:17 PM

You need Mercedes factory coolant or equivalent, perhaps a European forum member can advise on available brands, and distilled water. Doubt that you would be allowed to carry coolant on an airliner. A Mercedes dealer in Greece would be the best bet even though expensive. It's roughly US$20 per gallon here in the USA and you need 1 gallon of coolant and 1 gallon of water (roughly).