long term outdoor car storage tips needed...

98stangv8 said:

I found out I will be going to Germany with the Army for 2-3 years, and I will not be able to take my mustang with me. I will probably keep it outside on a trailer, covered. Now, what do I need to do besides unhooking the battery?

Thanks!

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you have anyone that can take care of it for you?? Mom or Dad that can drive it a few miles every few weeks or something like that?

Dan_Soprano said:

you have anyone that can take care of it for you?? Mom or Dad that can drive it a few miles every few weeks or something like that?

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yeah do you have someone that can take care of it

thats not good. you need to find someone trust worthy that can keep it in decent condition. nothing good will come out of letting it sit for a few years. you will be sorrrrry

sorry. i didnt mean to post it...i was looking for storage places for you in f-ville that would help you out.http://usstoragesearch.com/locate.php?id=54452&OVRAW=car%20storage%20fayetteville&OVKEY=fayetteville%20car%20storage&OVMTC=standard

without being started for 2 years or so, i would imagine some oxidation could find its way into the motors...things could potentially seize up, your motor oil will not have been circulated for years. your cams will not have rotated, crank will not have moved, brakes could be frozen/seized. many things wont happen but some could and it would just be pure hell when you come back.

p.s. some of those places (mini maxi offer military discounts)

The owner's manual has instructions for this. Be sure and take precautions against mice and insects.

While here in Iraq my Dad drove my car. A buddy of mine got back after only 8 months of the car sitting and the battery was dead and had flat spots on the tires. It also billowed smoke and ran like crap for about a week. I could only imagine 2-3 years.

I only store for the winter. 2-3 years seems not worth it. Sell the car - its value will be dropping and you wont even be able to drive it.

My old BMW has brakes totally rusted frozed after 1 year sitting. Use fuel stabilizer, blow the tires up really hard. Put dryer sheets all over the place (engine bay and inside) to keep mice out etc. Maybe try and seal everything up as best you can. Seal exhaust pipes and intake? I dunno man - that s a long time. Id sell it.

ya that long without starting, Not good for the car alt all. Tire would not last that long with out heat/cool cyslce. OIld would be no good. and with oil not circurating, internal components would corrode/sieaze, and not to mention rats and insect get in to the car.

Its not worth it. I would sell it, and get something else when you get back

i would recommend (if you have the money) would be to put your car in storage somewhere safe and maybe close by your house. I would disconnect the battery, and keep a completely FULL gas tank, so that your gas tank does not rust or form any dried up gunk. (ie: if you have a 1/2 empty gas tank, the top 1/2 where there is no gas may corrode the walls of the tank while it sits for 2-3 years). I know that was more of a problem with way-older cars, but its something to think about.

And you DEFINATELY should have a new oil filter and brand new quarts of oil sitting in the storage with the car. Because when you get back, change that oil immediately before running the car. Because oil sitting for 2-3 years is a "no go". And if you really dont drive this for 2-3 years, u might as well throw out the old battery and just buy a new one when you're ready to run the car again.

Hope that helps, and goodluck and godspeed during your tour of duty.

*Hoo Ah!*

My Bullitt is in storage this winter so I can give you some insight into what I do every fall.

Wash and wax the car before it goes into storage, I put about three coats of wax on the Bullitt before it went away. This will keep the paint safe and resist oxidation. Don't forget the engine bay too.

A car cover would be a good investment, one that's good quality and breathable will keep your paint safe from dust/oxidation/uvrays etc. Even indoors dust will accumilate so it's the most important protection.

As said above fill up the gas to max before storage and add fuel stabilizer. Be sure to run the car for 5 minutes with the fuel stabilizer in it to get the stuff into the injectors.

Remove the battery and keep it off of concrete surfaces and in a warm environment. The battery will discharge no matter what so you may have to get a new one if it can't hold a charge in two-three years.

It would be best (IMO) to support the car on jackstands to prevent flat spots on the tires. This practise is a point of contention as many people feel that it's putting more stress on the control arms with the wheels suspended/struts pushing down. I do keep my car on stands because I can't drive it often.

If you don't want the brakes to rust up you can put a light coating of vaseline on the rotors to prevent rust.

Vaccum out/really clean the interior as food particles will attract critters and after two years stuff can smell really bad.

As said above change oil + filter and stuff some rags into the exhaust pipes to keep out creatures .

Spray the rubber door seals with silicone lube and lube all hinges/locks etc.

If you have a realative that can come by and start the car every month or two it would ensure that everything will not sieze. If not then lube the cylinders with fogging oil through the sparkplug hole and crank the motor a little.

When you come back, then unwrap car and charge the battery. Change oil + filter. I'd change the fuel filter and inspect all suspension components before you break her out.

That's all I can think of for now, I pretty much go through all this religiously although I've only had my Bullitt for a short time I think it will prolong it's life considerably.

I generally start mine once every two weeks out of a month but once a month should suffice. When you start it let it idle for about eight/ten minutes, and let the A/C run for about five mins to keep the compressor lubricated (if you got Air cond). Oh yea if you are not jacking it don't leave the e-brake on just park it in gear or P, this will keep the back brakes from seizing.

Do you have an engine block heater? Use it before you start it, otherwise try and start it on a reasonably mild day or else this will not work well. Cold temps mean longer idle times to get the oil moving. With all the mods you have you def want to keep it working properly.

Good luck