Auto preserving

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

How does one put an auto into long term storage today. I have a Volvo with fuel injection and am not sure about putting oil into the cylinders. I would put it up on blocks-possibly partially deflate the tires?? Seal all openings as much as possible with something. remove the battery, Drain the engine antifreeze?? Who has good suggestions as to what to do? I would try also to drain the fuel tank, unless I were going to use that as a storage unit and treat the fuel before hand. Any suggestings? Gene

-- Gene Peterson (carvgene@gis.net), November 06, 1998

Answers

Gene, you outta go to http://cartalk.cars.com/; it's the home of the car guys and here is what they told somebody else:

"Dear Clink and Crack,

I'm leaving the country for a year and will be storing my cars. I have an 82 and 92 Subaru. (Sorry, I know that you hate Subarus, but you don't know what you're talking about anyway.) My plan was to park the 82 (170,000 miles - still runs great!) in the back of my yard covered with a tarp. The 92 I was going to park in a pole barn.

I there anything special I should do with the cars to store them or when I restart them? Specifically:

Is the tarp really necessary? Should I change the oil before or after I park them? What else should I do?

Thanks a million! Love your show!

Harv Busta

Answer:

Harvster:

On the 82-- leave the windows open and let local stray animals live in it. If you're lucky, when you come home it will have sunk into the ground and all that will be left is the tarp.

With the 92, unscrew the spark plugs and squirt a little oil into each cylinder, put the plugs back in and turn the key for a couple of seconds to get the cylinders lubricated. Next, cover the air filter intake and the end of the tailpipe with a plastic bag. Then, disconnect the battery and store it in the house. Finally, add some gas stabilizer to the gas tank.

Bon Voyagedly,

Tom and Ray"

-- Karen Cook (browsercat@hotmail.com), November 08, 1998.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ