Oil is stored vehicle - 6 months

[gfh77665]

I am about to take my '97 Chevy V6 pickup out of 6 month storage. I filled with 10w30 Synpower (and used a NAPA Gold filter) just before storing it away, garaged. It has been started for 15 minutes, 3 times in the last 6 months.

Is the Synpower still good? I am thinking it still is. I will drive near 100% highway mileage. Can I still possibly go 7500 mile OCI? Thanks.

 

[addyguy]

Yup, good to go.

There will be a bit of condensation in it from the short idle periods, but that will boil off on your first highway run....

 

[demarpaint]

I instructed my son to store his car that way when he was deployed. Only difference was the car was not started at all during his time away. Fresh oil, fresh filter, etc....park the car. 6-8 months later put the battery back in, and take it for a good 1 hour ride, no problems after 3 deployments following my routine for storage.

 

[stockrex]

do it all the time here in MI,
will be fine, I just charge the batt of electric charger everymonth or idle the truck few times a month

 

[bt99]

change oil and filter before storage ~~ GOOD

starting for 15 min at a time ~~ NOT GOOD

put it away and leave it alone til you want it out of storage
and your oil is good to go ~~ you car is too

 

[ahoier]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
6-8 months later put the battery back in, and take it for a good 1 hour ride,
where or how did you have the battery stored? I've heard leaving a battery on the ground (cement, etc..) will leach out from the battery causing a drain.

So I'm kind of curious. And what's the difference between having it on the ground, or at the store, where they have the battery stored in the battery "cage" with the roller things that roll down the next battery as you take it off the shelf?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
6-8 months later put the battery back in, and take it for a good 1 hour ride,
where or how did you have the battery stored? I've heard leaving a battery on the ground (cement, etc..) will leach out from the battery causing a drain.

So I'm kind of curious. And what's the difference between having it on the ground, or at the store, where they have the battery stored in the battery "cage" with the roller things that roll down the next battery as you take it off the shelf?


First deployment he disconnected the battery and left it in place. When he got back he needed a battery, but the battery was a few years old at the time. Second and third deployment, he kept the car at a friends house, removed the battery, put it in his buddies basement, on a wooden block. Trickle charged it when he got back, put it in the car and it started w/o issue.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: bt99
change oil and filter before storage ~~ GOOD

starting for 15 min at a time ~~ NOT GOOD

put it away and leave it alone til you want it out of storage
and your oil is good to go ~~ you car is too


I realize about fuel dilution, but I did run at a high idle, about 1500 rpm, until the engine and oil was at basically full temp for 5 min. or so. I also figured at worst, this would be the equivalent of three short trips-not ideal, but not catastropic, either.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: bt99
change oil and filter before storage ~~ GOOD

starting for 15 min at a time ~~ NOT GOOD

put it away and leave it alone til you want it out of storage
and your oil is good to go ~~ you car is too


I realize about fuel dilution, but I did run at a high idle, about 1500 rpm, until the engine and oil was at basically full temp for 5 min. or so. I also figured at worst, this would be the equivalent of three short trips-not ideal, but not catastropic, either.



That is not a good thing to do. In order to burn off moisture and fuel dilution it is best to drive the car for about 20-30 minutes. Engines warm up best when driven. Since you can't turn back the hands of time, once you prep your car for a 6 month storage don't start the car until you plan on driving it again. It is a common mistake people make. Odds are you did no harm, we are just sharing with you what is best for storing a car for 6 months.

 

[SteveSRT8]

as one who routinely stores cars for long periods I have found that if you can't take it out and drive it for at least 20 minutes it's much better off to let it sit!

 

[gfh77665]

I would drive it, except that I do not insure it while in storage. Costs too much for the insurance! I understand your points, though.

 

[Coogles]

I don't know if it's necessary, but I always change my oil again when I bring the car out of storage. I'll drive out the tank of old gas and change the oil again after I fill up. I end up draining out ~400 mile oil, but it gives me peace of mind.