What should be done prior to storing a car.

[scochran53]

My mustang has been down a while. Is there anything I should do like start it every once in a while. What should be done to the car if is not going to be driven for a year or so.

 

[warriorpluto]

do what i do. i just start it every once in a while.

 

[warriorpluto]

and since i havent driven it in over a year in a half i roll it around the block. of course dodging policemen. lol. a whole lot of blue smoke from the long sit. maybe small leaks. very small.

 

[nero6]

Make sure you put some fuel stabilizer in to prevent your gas from going 'stale'.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Make sure you put some fuel stabilizer in to prevent your gas from going 'stale'.

+10000000000

If you plan on letting your car sit for a while, fuel stabilizer is a must. Gasoline can go bad in just a couple of months. SeaFoam is a great product, I use it when I put the car away for the winter, and I run it through the tank once a month or so when I am driving the car. STA-BIL is also very good.

Another thing you can do is use fogging oil, which is readily found at any auto parts store. This stuff is used extensively in marine applications when storing boats for the winter. You basically spray it into the intake while the engine is idling until it stumbles and dies. This coats the pistons, cylinders, and valves with a thin layer of oil that protects them from corrosion during the winter months. You can also spray it directly through the spark plug hole with the engine off, but I don't think that is as effective. Obviously, if you drive it after you run the fogging oil in it, it burns out and will need to be applied again before storage.

One more thing- if you are very particular, or the car is going to sit for a loooong time, putting it up on blocks will keep the tires from developing "flat spots". Pay attention the next time you are at a car museum, a lot of the older cars will have jack stands hidden underneath.

 

[warriorpluto]

yep i forgot to tell you about the seafoam. that stuff is great. i didnt know about that fogging oil. ill keep that in mind

 

[93 LX]

Also put in a lighter weight of oil. I would get a 0-20 synthetic, this will pump faster through the engine after sitting and when the engine fires it will have oil in the important places like bearings and what not. The Synthetic oil will not go bad after sitting for long periods of time either.