How to put vehicle into long term storage.

[ColonelKlink]

Hi, I have 2 x Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi Mirage relabeled), 1995. There are both in fine shape, but my wife tells me it is waste of money to run 2, because we also have a 2008 Subaru Impreza, and a 2008 Dodge Dakota. So I would like to put one Colt into long term storage, to be available as a source of "parts". I can park it for $20 per month storage fee at the auto wreckers yard, and they can take parts off for me as needed.

What should I do for long term storage: I already have a fabric car cover - should I jack it up and put it on blocks to keep the stress off wheel bearings/ etc., and what about the engine, is there anything that needs to be done to keep the engine from deteriorating from lack of use?

thanks, the Colonel.

 

[Rand]

Is that the one with the manual and HI-Low transmission.. I loved those.

 

[ColonelKlink]

It has a 5 - speed manual transmission - they are a blast to drive. - the Colonel.

 

[scurvy]

Your biggest enemy is likely to be rodents making nests in the engine and eating the wiring/vacuum tubing.

Assuming you have a garage to work in, what about parting out the car yourself and boxing up the parts?

 

[ColonelKlink]

I just don't have storage space for all those parts -

 

[andrewp1998]

Change engine oil,. put stabil in gas tank, , chanege coolant, put cotton in intake and tail pipe to keep rodents out. Take out battery and put on charger.

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: andrewp1998
Change engine oil,. put stabil in gas tank, , chanege coolant, put cotton in intake and tail pipe to keep rodents out. Take out battery and put on charger.

Cotton is exactly what the rodents want! Use steel wool.
If the car won't be on jack stands, slightly over-inflate the tires so they hold their shape better/longer.
Consider Damp Rid or baking soda inside depending how often you'll visit the car and if you care about the interior.
Keep the e-brake off so it doesn't seize.
Some mfrs. suggest storing with the trans in reverse.
Remove everything and I mean everything extra from the inside of the car, you don't want so much as an old grocery store receipt in there that a mouse can shred up and use for a nest.
Turn every electric in the car off, dome light, fan, etc, it will make the load easier should you have to start it at some point.

 

[eljefino]

I wouldn't pay the $20/mo. That'd be $240 a year. If you gave the car to the junkyard would you spend $240 buying your own parts back? How big is your back yard? Maybe you could pull the engine, transmission, front subframe as a unit and grab anything else mechanical then crush the shell.

 

[fdcg27]

Either sell the car or alternate betwen the two every six months.
This thing will not survive long in a yard.
The damp ground in winter spring and fall will accelerate rust and I can pretty well guarantee that the car will get "accidentally" parted to some extent.

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
...
This thing will not survive long in a yard.
The damp ground in winter spring and fall will accelerate rust and I can pretty well guarantee that the car will get "accidentally" parted to some extent.

^ absolutely.