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Long Time Car Storage Tips

63 messages,  Last post on Aug 04, 2011 at 2:45 PM

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What is this discussion about? Heating / Cooling, Fuel System, Tires, Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Oil, Suspension, Transmission

Messages Page 5 of 7

#34 of 63 Re: 1982 Jaguar XJ-S HE V12 has sat for 15 months [harley62] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 06, 2009 (8:34 am)

Replying to: harley62 (Dec 05, 2009 7:28 pm)
Er....no...bad advice to start up a car with 15 month old gasoline in it, especially a Jaguar V-12. That gas will have to be drained out.
 
Then you will need a new battery. Charging a battery that dead is DANGEROUS.
 
I'd also consider removing the spark plugs, squirting a little oil (just a teaspoon) into each cylinder and then, depending on how the plugs look, re-using them or installing new ones.
 
I would start cranking the engine with the ignition coil grounded but you may wish to check with a Jaguar expert to see if this is safe for the ignition system. You don't want to fry one of those V-12 black boxes! I'm suggesting this so that the engine can build up some oil pressure before it starts.
 
Howver, with all the gas drained out, it's probably not going to start right up anyway, so maybe you're okay there.
 
Once the engine starts, don't RACE it--just let it idle for 15 minutes or so, then drain out the old oil, and install fresh oil and filter.
 
Once it it running okay and you have clean oil in there, you can check the tires for cracks and flat spots, and carefully check the brakes to make sure there is no seizure of the calipers or the emergency brakes.
 
For a test drive, I suggest the 1-5-50 rule, which is:
 
drive 1 mile, stop and check for leaks top and bottom
 
drive 5 miles, do the same
 
drive 50 miles---if she runs well, doesn't leak, pull, steam, scream, buck or protest----you are good to go.
 
Other optional items, depending on a visual inspection would be to flush the coolant and the brake fluid.
 
ALSO ---these engine are PRONE TO FIRES-----so when you begin the resuscitation process, have a fire extinguisher handy and be on careful watch for fuel line leaks in the engine compartment.

#35 of 63 Re: 1982 Jaguar XJ-S HE V12 has sat for 15 months [Mr_Shiftright] by harley62

Dec 06, 2009 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2009 8:34 am)
Thank you for the advice... pretty sure I can handle most of that by myself. Will probably have to find someone to check the brakes but hopefully that won't be too difficult. I do have a different battery for the car as I figured after sitting all that time the old one wouldn't be much good.
I will check with Jaguar about the ignition coil...not sure where it's at anyway.
I know that the tires are good...no cracks or flat spots...the friend that hauled it here for me checked them out.
The car isn't much but it has a great history and I don't wanna do any damage to it so thanks for the advice about the fire extinguisher.

#37 of 63 Car storage for two months by aztec04

May 27, 2010 (8:14 am)

I have to store my toyota camry for a little over two months. Can it go that long without being driven? Also, is it true rats can move into the engine if it is left undriven in a garage for that long?

#38 of 63 Re: Car storage for two months [aztec04] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 27, 2010 (8:53 am)

Replying to: aztec04 (May 27, 2010 8:14 am)
For only two months, there's really nothing you have to do. I don't think I'd leave a battery tender attached to any car if no one is going to look in on it---if someone is going to look in, then hook up a battery tender and start the car once in a while. Some might suggest a fuel stabilizer, which is okay, but again, for two months probably over-kill. But it's cheap and easy.
 
As for rodents, that really depends on your local situation. I think it's better to protect the garage in general with poison or traps than try to protect the car itself.

#39 of 63 Re: Car storage for two months [aztec04] by capriracer

May 28, 2010 (3:42 am)

Replying to: aztec04 (May 27, 2010 8:14 am)
If you can, overinflate your tires - up to 50 psi. That will slow down the flat spot that will be created.
 
Better yet, put it up on jack stands.

#40 of 63 93' Audi left for one year what to do in re-starting by wpatters

Aug 19, 2010 (1:09 pm)

I have an old Audi 100 with v6 that overheated and when finally go it home I put a cover over it and has not been touched for the past year...finances bad to work on it. I know it needs a radiator and maybe a new headgasket...but it started when I last drove it.
What should I do before trying to fire it up? Drain the gas? Pull the plugs and oil the pistons etc.. Is there anything than can be added to the gas versus draining the tank? That seems like a big problem. I can do the plugs and even replace the radiator. Just do not want to have to pull the tank. Any advice on that would be great.
Also what is the best way to tell if a head gasket got tweaked?

#41 of 63 Re: 93' Audi left for one year what to do in re-starting [wpatters] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 19, 2010 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: wpatters (Aug 19, 2010 1:09 pm)
You probably have to drain the gas...it's not gasoline anymore.
 
If you pull the dipstick and its got a milky white residue, then your engine bearings have been lying in coolant for a year, and that's *real* bad.
 
But, to your main question:
 
Best way to test the head gasket is to get the engine running for a while, at least until it heats up, then shut 'er down, pressurize the cooling system with a pump, then pull the spark plugs and see if there is coolant on them (keep the system pressurized)---you may also use a bore-scope to inspect the tops of the pistons for signs of coolant. Of course, in some cases (but not all) you will see coolant in the oil, which turns the oil a milky gray on the dipstick.

#42 of 63 longtime storage by wpatters

Aug 20, 2010 (6:56 pm)

Thanks for the advice...so there is nothing on the market to fix the gas....I would think they would have something invented for just that problem.
 
Ugh

#43 of 63 Re: longtime storage [wpatters] by capriracer

Aug 21, 2010 (4:53 am)

Replying to: wpatters (Aug 20, 2010 6:56 pm)
Unfortunately, you can't repeal the Laws of Physics! (or in this case, the Laws of Chemistry!)

Messages Page 5 of 7

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