I'm going to have to store my 83 300D for at least 6 months and am wondering what, if anything, should be done before I lay it up. Thanks!

Just turn it off. I stored my 307d for one year. It started on the first crank. Some algaecide in the tank might be a good preventive measure. Available at boating supply stores.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Top the fuel off first too and maybe some sort of fuel stabilizer along with the algaecide.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

Also, top off the battery with distilled water and install an automatic trickle charger/maintainer on it to keep it fully charged. Most good automotive stores carry these for around 30 to 40 bucks.

You can get the trickle charger at Harbor Freight for about $8. However, I have not had a lot of luck with them. The last time I used one over the winter, the battery was bad in the spring.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Yeah, I guess a bad one can ruin a battery also. You could just charge the battery and disconntect it from the car. Probably wouldn't hurt to remove it totally from the car to prevent any corrosion that may form and ruin the terminals and/or battery tray.

Don't do it. Bought two both were no good. Buy a little one from Sears.
Charlie

Running the engine for a few minutes every other week will help with the battery and overall engine health from oil contaminants, fuel settling, and coolant rust.

Mdlwolf,

The first answer was the correct one. No need to worry about the battery. If it is a good battery, it won't run down if your electrical system is OK. Starting and running your engine for few minutes will just get water in you exhaust system and cause rust.

I store my 300SD and 300SDL every winter and all I do is shut them off hot and restart in the spring. So I know from experience.

Gasoline cars may be different because the lighter molecules evaporate from gasoline which sometimes makes them hard to start. This doesn't happen to Diesel fuel.

P E H

Thanks!