Letting A Car Sit

[pavelow]

Originally Posted By: ted s
i have collectors cars that are in storage about 4 -5 months a year. the key is proper storage.
Proper storage is key. There's a major difference between properly storing something inside a climate controlled facility or garage and just parking the car outside in the driveway in the elements. At a minimum, toss an all weather car cover on it or drag the thing into a garage to keep it out of the elements...that'll at least keep water from pooling in crevices and causing rust.

There's a (foolish) guy down the block from me that leaves his 96 Grand Sport Vette and 97 Z28 SS (white with orange stripes) parked outside, uncovered, year-round in his driveway. Both cars are currently covered in snow and ice. In the summer they bake in the sun. Sickening sight for a car guy like myself. The guy is either an idiot or has more dollars than sense.

 

[gfh77665]

Sorry to hear the horror stories, but my storage experiences have been absolutly great. I stored a '91 Cadillac, a '97 Chevy pickup, amd now a '97 Chrysler LSH (too long of a story to expalain all the storages). I simply:

1)Added 2X dose of Stabil, filled tank to brim.
2)Pumped up the tires to about 45 PSI,
3)Changed to fresh oil & filter, and
4)Started and ran at 1800-2000 RPM's every 1-2 months.

ZERO PROBLEMS. ZERO.

 

[demarpaint]

1981, clean it real well, get a good coat of wax on it. I'd add Stabil, fill the gas tank take it for a long drive, find a good spot to park it and fog the engine with MMO or fogging oil. Take the battery out and let it sit for the year. Be sure to slightly over inflate the tires before you park it. Block the exhaust and air intake so no animals decide to build a home in it. You'll be fine. I would not start and idle the car, if you are going to start the car drive it for at least half an hour or more.

 

[CBR.worm]

"I'd just let it sit.

That's what I do with my '94 Xj12"


With the Xj, I think parts will fall off at the same rate regardless of being driven or not.


Just Kidding. They are great cars (truly beautiful), but seem to need a lot of upkeep. My brother bought one new had all kinds of problems, that was more than 20 years ago. Then he bought another one in '04 for sentimental reasons. It rarely left his driveway. He used to say it needed a cash infusion to get it started, and it needed another cash infusion at a gas pump every few miles. A year later he sold that and bought the then new, improved S Type "R", or whatever it was called. Very strong supercharged V8, big brakes, mostly Ford parts and it still had all kinds of random problems - some fairly expensive. ABS controller, Airbags and Transmission come to mind.