Vehicle in storage
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield IL
Vehicle in storage
I have a 1980 L82 in storage . I try to run it at least every couple weeks. With the salt still being on the roads I am forced to wait longer in between outings. Does any one know how long is too long for a Car to sit without being driven . The oil change is fresh . Thanks D.V.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I have been told they can sit all winter as long as the oil is changed b4 storage. Some like to put the car up on jack stands too. You should also disconnect the battery if you havnt done so already. And yes, start it weekly or every other.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
If you drive her every two weeks and she's kept in nice warm storage, you're fine. Make sure you at least bring the engine up to temp when you do take her out to circulate the fluids and stretch her legs.
Left unattended, bad stuff happens,..rust (in weird place like ring and pinion gears), cracked tires, dead battery, leaky breaks, etc.
Left unattended, bad stuff happens,..rust (in weird place like ring and pinion gears), cracked tires, dead battery, leaky breaks, etc.
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jan 24, 2007 at 01:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Boston Massachusetts
storage
Hi,
I'm from the North East, so my Vette goes into storage in the Fall. I fill the tank, change the oil and over inflate the tires a bit. I also pull the battery and put it on a float charger. Then, I wax the car and cover it. I've had the car for five years and this storage method does not seem harmful. I do have a heated, dry storage area, which helps.
Good luck with your Vette,
Tom
I'm from the North East, so my Vette goes into storage in the Fall. I fill the tank, change the oil and over inflate the tires a bit. I also pull the battery and put it on a float charger. Then, I wax the car and cover it. I've had the car for five years and this storage method does not seem harmful. I do have a heated, dry storage area, which helps.
Good luck with your Vette,
Tom
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
mines an outside car and sits from about november to april. i start it up about once a month and move it back and forth in its spot if i can. normaly cant because theres too much ice and snow.
i just keep a full tank of gas in it, put a cover on it, and unhook the battery. havnt really had a problem with it yet. storage wise that is....
i just keep a full tank of gas in it, put a cover on it, and unhook the battery. havnt really had a problem with it yet. storage wise that is....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Stored one of my cars for 2 years with oil change, full tank with Stabil, Battery Tender and car cover. Car started right up and I drive it now every summer. There is no need to start a properly stored car.
Fred
Fred
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
starting a parked car and not driving it is worse then not starting at all. The only thing you are doing is charging the battery and a tender can do that for your.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I park mine November 1st every year. Just disconnect the battery and walk away.
I don't touch them until April 1st or so. They fire right up no problem. Then the oil gets changed, not in the fall. I never start them at all through the winter. I couldn't get to them if I wanted to. They are buried behind lots of RVs and muscle cars and motorcycles.
I don't touch them until April 1st or so. They fire right up no problem. Then the oil gets changed, not in the fall. I never start them at all through the winter. I couldn't get to them if I wanted to. They are buried behind lots of RVs and muscle cars and motorcycles.
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Le Mans Master
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Storage
This old Gentleman sat for 28 years- on the tires. New battery, fresh gas, (well ok, it leaks a bit), changed the oil, and started right up. I had to replace 3 "freeze plugs" that had rusted thru, but it runs just fine.
"24 Model T- the only thing not original is the color of the wheels..
"24 Model T- the only thing not original is the color of the wheels..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
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From: End of the Ike IL
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Once mine goes into storage, I don't start her again until Spring. Like those above have said, it does more harm than good to start her up and letting her run for 20 minutes. An oil change, a full tank of gas with Stabil, disconnection of the battery, and a car cover lets her go into hibernation from Nov 1 to Apr 1 each year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
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From: Ocala FL
Once mine goes into storage, I don't start her again until Spring. Like those above have said, it does more harm than good to start her up and letting her run for 20 minutes. An oil change, a full tank of gas with Stabil, disconnection of the battery, and a car cover lets her go into hibernation from Nov 1 to Apr 1 each year.
As long as there is no snow on the ground, or wet roads, it doesn't hurt to run the car out and around town for an hour to warm things up, circulate lubricants, and give yourself a charge. Doing this every month or two is better than sitting the whole time or starting and running in place for 30 minutes every week.
The best condition my Corvettes ever were in was when they were driven weekly, even through the winter. What got to them was sitting.
And taking them out for a ride every few weeks tends to keep the mice out.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
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From: Fremont,CA
Once mine goes into storage, I don't start her again until Spring. Like those above have said, it does more harm than good to start her up and letting her run for 20 minutes. An oil change, a full tank of gas with Stabil, disconnection of the battery, and a car cover lets her go into hibernation from Nov 1 to Apr 1 each year.
Le Mans Master
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Mine won't start unless I give it a squirt of gas, so on that first crank of the season I always just let it turn over until I see the oil pressure gauge come up. Then I hit the gas a couple times and off she goes. Been doing it like this for last 29 winters.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
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From: Ocala FL
However, out in Plainfield, he should have some small roads he can get it out on to run it an hour or more every month. That is all it needs. The main thing is drive for long enough to heat the mufflers to dry them out. Then you know everything else is, too. Of course, the temp gauge needs to get at least to the 180 mark.
If not, then you are not getting it hot enough to boil the moisture out of the oil and are not doing any good. With winters below zero, you could have a problem getting it hot enough. If that happens, change the oil, pull the battery out, and park until you have 40 degree weather.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Redondo Beach, California
When you start up an engine, the exhaust gas contains water as a by-product of combustion. With a cold engine and exhaust/muffler system the water vapor in the exhaust condenses into liqiuid water. So a brief run on a cold engine just adds water into the oil, exhaust pipes and mufflers. You need to run the engine until the exhaust pipes and mufflers are above 200 degrees F. This way, water vapor created will be exhausted and any liquid water in the mufflers will be evaported.
....Also, if I've got this right, all the water vapor in engine exhausts is causing the ocean levels to raise and also glaciers to melt.
....Also, if I've got this right, all the water vapor in engine exhausts is causing the ocean levels to raise and also glaciers to melt.