Anything special to do when storing car for 8 months?
 

Hi guys,

Since the snow and ice have finally arrived here in Alaska, it means that's the end of the driving season for Betsie. Last time I drove her was the end of September.

She is parked in my heated garage (keep it between 40f and 50f) on the concrete floor.

Fuel tank's about 5/8th full of summer diesel. No extra additives.

She will probably be sitting unused until about May/June of 2016, so roughly 8 months.

Battery is still hooked up, clock is still running.

Is there anything you think I need to do? I've never had an unused car just sit for months, I've only owned Betsie since February this year.

Should I disconnect the battery? Should I add something to the fuel? Should I jack her up and get the weight of the tires/suspension?

Or is 8 months not considered long enough for anything to start to deteriorate, and can I just leave her be?

Thoughts?


She also desperately needs new rear axles, a valve adjustment and possibly a timing chain at 280k miles (just thinking about replacing the timing chain makes me very nervous, I'd rather not touch it at all...), so I might have to roll her around a little once in a while.

If you can think of it...
 

'Will not hurt to do it...

1.Startron in the fuel tank.
Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Diesel Additive
Also a little Redline.
Red Line Synthetic Oil - Diesel Fuel Additives - 85 Plus
Pour 2-3 Gallons of Fresh Diesel on top of the Additives to mix them.
It'll also Top Off your tank to prevent condensation Acquisition.,
1a. Change the oil BEFORE you Store AND BEFORE YOU RUN it in the Spring.
2.Disconnect the battery and put it on a "Battery Tender" TYPE maintenence
Charger.
3. 8 months MIGHT develop "Flat Spots" on the Skins.
So your Idea about Jack Stands will not hurt either.

There is a procedure to check for "Timing Chain Stretch" (THEY DO NOT STRETCH / THEY WEAR) in the Manual
I'd check it against the procedure before replacing.
BUT If T'were Mine that chain gets NEW Every 100K.

^ X2

Fill the tank full, disconnect the battery and keep it on a trickle charger, jack up the car and leave it sitting on stands so the tires don't get a flat spot, and I'd probably put some rat poison in the engine bay and a piece of cedar wood in the cabin to deter any pests.

Agreed, fill tank, use additive and a battery tender sort of device.

Changing oil before storage is OK if the car is nearly due for a regular oil change. Changing after storage won't help anything.

Do you have salt to deal with or just snow / ice? If just snow, I'd pick a nice day every few months and drive the car for 15 min or so.

Don't start and idle the car without getting it up to operating temp for 15 min or so, this won't allow moisture / fuel in the oil to burn off.

Even if it gets to operating temp, the oil won't get hot enough to boil of moisture.

Just don't start it. Let it sit undisturbed and give it a good long drive once you finally revive it and put it back into DD service.

I'd change the oil before storing to remove acids and replenish the additives present in the sump. Acids will etch crank bearings if left to sit. New oil will be better suited to tolerate the storage.

All right guys, thanks for the advice. They do use salt here unfortunately. Means washing the car once a week. I'd rather not drive the Benz in it.

Rather then having the car on jack stands for 8 months I might put my other set of rims on. I have an extra set of bundt rims with completely worn out tires. Those can get flat spots, it won't matter. I'll swap them out.

I'll disconnect the battery and check into that fuel additive :)

The rat poison was a good suggestion...

My house is attached to the garage and it's my poiny of entry. I park my other car in it as well, and my cat likes to slip through the door in the kitchen, into the garage when I come home. Not gonna use rat poison, never seen evidence of any critters in there, and a bit too dangerous for the cat.:P

Your situation is not conducive to rats, so that's fine. I made the suggestion without knowing your layout and the presence of a kitty cat.

I can't tell you how many rats nests I have pulled out of blower motors, cabin filters, and air filter boxes. I have taken hand fulls of dog food out of an air filter box. :D The vehicles were either sitting or parked in the driveway of a rural house.

Our province/ state prides itself with a boarder rat patrol program which has been in effect since 1950. When a rat is found anywhere in the province it's a big deal and usually makes the headlines. Mice and car storage is more of a problem though they like to nest in seats.

Jack stands have the added benefit of unloading suspension components which maybe of interest to you?

Jack Stands will unload the suspension, but will impart torque on all of the suspension bushings which are installed in the loaded position. Not sure that will be detrimental but just wanted to mention it.

Some kind of mouse control is a good idea...... I had a $1500 bill to fix the wires which controlled one injection nozzle on my pickup truck....they had to remove the intake manifold to do the job.
Mouse traps can be put into PVC pipes with holes big enough for mine to enter.. but too small to be of danger to cats , etc....
There is also an excellent multi trap which does not require bait... and is no threat to cats....I have used this one and was pleasantly surprised by how effective it was... learned about it after the pickup problem....

Ketch All Mouse Trap, Kness Ketch-All

Mothballs repel rats and won't accidentally kill anyone's pet FYI

Definitely need to do something, I left my bike sitting (outside) for 1 week and they built a nest under the seat!!!

Mothballs should not be used inside the car... will smell like that for years unless all the carpet and the seats and headliner are replaced....