2 year storage
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
2 year storage
So today at work I get a 120 day notice on a 2 year assignment to Korea. I have been researching long term storage. It seems like every thread turns into "Have someone start it for you"
The car is going to be stored in a 10x20 storage facility here in cocoa beach FL. There is no one that will be able to drive the car. The nearest family is 2 states over. My plan is to fill the tank, take out the battery, add stabil, fresh fluids all around, carpet under the tires, cedar ***** all over the place to keep out rodents, lock the door to the facility and come back in 2015. Is there anything else that I should do?
The car is going to be stored in a 10x20 storage facility here in cocoa beach FL. There is no one that will be able to drive the car. The nearest family is 2 states over. My plan is to fill the tank, take out the battery, add stabil, fresh fluids all around, carpet under the tires, cedar ***** all over the place to keep out rodents, lock the door to the facility and come back in 2015. Is there anything else that I should do?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 825
From: US
Make sure you drive the car after adding Stabil and if you can find it fill the tank with 100% gas, No Ethanol...
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 718
Likes: 69
From: North Reading MA
You have some time to find another Corvette enthusiast locally that you can trust and may help you out for a nominal fee? Starting it up and moving it a few feet back and forth every 3 months will work wonders. You would need a battery tender if you went that route.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
If family is only two States over why not store the car in their town and let them tend it if they're willing and you trust them? Having it set for two years unattended is extremely risky regardless of the precautions you take.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It would kill me to leave my car untouched for 2 years while being on the other side of the world. If I was one of your family members, I'd happily drive 2 states every 2-3 months to take care of it. Good luck with your assignment!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
I am guessing that nothing will go bad just sitting there other than maybe the tires. I'll pull the plugs once its in storage and spray some marvel oil into the cylinders before I put it to bed.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
In addition to what you have already stated, I would try to protect the tires, or sell it. You could lose several thousand dollars in depreciation alone without adding any miles. It would also be one less thing to worry about while overseas. Aren't there hurricanes in Florida?
OBD
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
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From: Minnesota
A lot of good resources for long term storage but I would say do a good detail and give all the rubber seals a good dressing before putting her to sleep. If it's been awhile I would vote for a coolant flush and fresh brake fluid.
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I would not want to just let the car sit for two years without someone checking on it. If you can't do the above, might be a good idea to sell the car and then buy another one when you get back.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
if there is something wrong with it when i get back, i'll fix it.
other than a mountain of dust, what are common storage failure points to look for.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
I also work overseas but I'm in Dubai. I have mine in my garage in Virginia and only get to drive it about once or twice a year and after alot of hard thinking. I am pretty sure I am going to sell it. So my vote is to sell it and let someone else enjoy it. They deserve to be driven.......
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
I wouldn't jack it up on stands. 2 years of the suspension being "unloaded" like that would just be bad. You can get tire cradles for the tires if you are concerned about flat spotting, but even just inflating to 40psi and parking on carpet might be fine.
Secondly, not sure how long gas will last - even with Stabil. You may want to consider your plan of topping it off with stabil just so it's not half empty and getting moisture in there - but maybe when you return you could siphon most of the old gas out and fill with fresh before running it. A full tank of 2 year old stale/gummy gas might do more harm than anything else. (I'm no expert on that topic but I've seen what old gas can do to yard power tools)
Also put dessicant packets in the interior to soak up moisture inside the car.
Or, sell it. Put the money in a 2 year CD with a couple % return then buy a new car with same money when you get back. Probably get a better deal by then for same $$$!
Secondly, not sure how long gas will last - even with Stabil. You may want to consider your plan of topping it off with stabil just so it's not half empty and getting moisture in there - but maybe when you return you could siphon most of the old gas out and fill with fresh before running it. A full tank of 2 year old stale/gummy gas might do more harm than anything else. (I'm no expert on that topic but I've seen what old gas can do to yard power tools)
Also put dessicant packets in the interior to soak up moisture inside the car.
Or, sell it. Put the money in a 2 year CD with a couple % return then buy a new car with same money when you get back. Probably get a better deal by then for same $$$!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Your plans to store sound good. Don't let the tires sit on the floor.
Also: Put some poison in the storage unit so you don't have any rodents getting in and chewing things up. Having someone to freshen the poison every few months and to check on it would be good. Surely someone you trust there can help.
Also: Put some poison in the storage unit so you don't have any rodents getting in and chewing things up. Having someone to freshen the poison every few months and to check on it would be good. Surely someone you trust there can help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
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Race Director
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Oldtimer
leaving your car for two years ?
So today at work I get a 120 day notice on a 2 year assignment to Korea. I have been researching long term storage. It seems like every thread turns into "Have someone start it for you"
The car is going to be stored in a 10x20 storage facility here in cocoa beach FL. There is no one that will be able to drive the car. The nearest family is 2 states over. My plan is to fill the tank, take out the battery, add stabil, fresh fluids all around, carpet under the tires, cedar ***** all over the place to keep out rodents, lock the door to the facility and come back in 2015. Is there anything else that I should do?
The car is going to be stored in a 10x20 storage facility here in cocoa beach FL. There is no one that will be able to drive the car. The nearest family is 2 states over. My plan is to fill the tank, take out the battery, add stabil, fresh fluids all around, carpet under the tires, cedar ***** all over the place to keep out rodents, lock the door to the facility and come back in 2015. Is there anything else that I should do?