Storing Car for 2 Years - Tips?

[roddy]

Originally Posted by cliff p.

Quite honestly, I would store it without fuel at all if possible. Siphon the tank, and pull the pump fuse. Crank it up to get residual fuel out of the lines, and then let her sit. That's jmho

I'm surprised no one else suggested this. Our gas tanks are a saddle type, so it would be pretty difficult to get all of the fuel out by siphoning. However, I was just outside feeling around under the car, and I think there is a drain plug on both sides of the tank. I'm doing an oil change on the weekend, so I'll have a look-see while I'm under there.

Originally Posted by FR-S Guy

Doesn't this pretty much guarantee condensation in the tank, followed by mold and all that good stuff?

I'm fairly sure our tanks are plastic, so condensation shouldn't be an issue.


I'd run the gas tank low, change the oil, put a good dose of stabilizer in the tank, go for a rip around the block, then park the car and get all the fuel I could out of it. I park the Mustang for 6 months of the year (damn winter), and leave the gas in it (with stabilizer). I haven't had any problems doing that for 7 seasons now, but 2 years gives gas a long time to turn into poo.

[FR-S Guy]

Originally Posted by roddy

I'm fairly sure our tanks are plastic, so condensation shouldn't be an issue.

I don't mean that it would rust, but would become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold and other gunk.

[joe strummer]

Here's what Toyota recommends. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...9&d=1379350290

[FR-S Guy]

If anyone cares for an update, I returned right at the end of December.

What I ended up doing was:
-disconnected and removed the battery
-pumped tires slightly beyond Toyota's recommendation
-filled the gas tank with gas
-put in a dose of fuel stabilizer/octane booster (stuff was rated for 2 years)
-put a sand bag behind each wheel. Roll onto them in neutral, then leave car in gear. Handbrake off.
-stuffed a microfiber in the exhaust tip
-stuffed a microfiber in the intake, behind the filter
-left a note on the driver's seat to remove said microfibers

I also bought a moisture absorbing thing from a dollar store and left it on the centre console.

I left right at the start of January 2015. I returned for a visit in July of that year. At that time I changed the oil and took the car for a quick spin. Basically everything was fine. Couldn't tell it was ever in storage. When I left I put everything back as above.

I returned for another visit in august 2016. By this time my battery was toast so I did nothing to the car.

I finally returned for good at the end of December 2016. I installed a new battery and changed the oil. Car fired up with no problems. For the first 20 seconds or so it sounded and felt like the idle was a tiny bit rougher than usual, but no problems otherwise. I was impressed with how well the tires held up. I noticed a hint of shaking at highway speeds, but definitely drivable. I was able to make a 40 minute drive to my father in law's shop to get fresh michelin X Ice tires on.

The car has been used daily since then with no issues. The one thing I would do differently is put the moisture absorber on a dish or something. It comes in a plastic container but it split apart. So after all the moisture was absorbed, some of it leaked onto my centre console and into the seat heater switches. Everything still works just fine, thankfully.

Thanks for everyone's advice and I hope this might help someone in the future.

[guybo]

-left a note on the driver's seat to remove said microfibers

LOL, it's the details that count! This post should really be stickied. It's the perfect example of how to store a car. Some might say to put the car up on jack stands, but as good as that is for the springs and tires, it's bad for the dampers, IMHO you did it right.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by guybo

LOL, it's the details that count! This post should really be stickied. It's the perfect example of how to store a car. Some might say to put the car up on jack stands, but as good as that is for the springs and tires, it's bad for the dampers, IMHO you did it right.

What? How does it hurt your dampers? How do you manage to force the suspension into the dampers by putting a car on jack stands?

[guybo]

It's bad for dampers to be at full extension for long periods of time. They've been known to get locked in that state and have to be replaced.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by guybo

It's bad for dampers to be at full extension for long periods of time. They've been known to get locked in that state and have to be replaced.

Thanks! The way you wrote it confused me and I thought you meant they would be over compressed somehow. That is why the jack stands should be under the suspension not the body of the car. Suspension components should never ever be left dangling since they are not designed for that.

[guybo]

LOL that's a funny visual. Imagine someone putting the jack stands under the wheels

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by guybo

LOL that's a funny visual. Imagine someone putting the jack stands under the wheels

Oh you have to know it was done at least once!