Storing car for 10-12 months

Storing car for 10-12 months

Author
Discussion

gretsch drummer

Original Poster:

622 posts

164 months

Sunday 10th November 2013
quotequote all
Hi all, picked myself up a nice ph1 Peugeot 306 GTI-6 which I'm planning on SORN'ing at the start of December. It will be kept in a single garage where I can't really take it for a spin to warm it up etc. I plan on doing a bit of work on it as well.

What precautions should I take to limit damage a year down the line when I plan on running it? The car has just had a full coolant flush and change along with cambelt and oil change.

My current thoughts are:

1. Fill fuel tank and add some fuel stabiliser.
2. Put car on axle stands but put load on suspension components.
3. Disconnect battery and have it trickle charging.
4. Remove plugs and spray some WD40 or similar into bores. (Unsure on what to use here really)
5. Buy breathable car cover.


Is there anything else I should do while in storage?

Cheers.

DocArbathnot

27,533 posts

190 months

Sunday 10th November 2013
quotequote all
gretsch drummer said:
Hi all, picked myself up a nice ph1 Peugeot 306 GTI-6 which I'm planning on SORN'ing at the start of December. It will be kept in a single garage where I can't really take it for a spin to warm it up etc. I plan on doing a bit of work on it as well.

What precautions should I take to limit damage a year down the line when I plan on running it? The car has just had a full coolant flush and change along with cambelt and oil change.

My current thoughts are:

1. Fill fuel tank and add some fuel stabiliser.
2. Put car on axle stands but put load on suspension components.
3. Disconnect battery and have it trickle charging.
4. Remove plugs and spray some WD40 or similar into bores. (Unsure on what to use here really)
5. Buy breathable car cover.


Is there anything else I should do while in storage?

Cheers.
Forget 1, 4 and 5 + oil change and lube service, crack the windows open a touch, keep an eye out for rodents.

(I hate car covers, best to have decent ventilation in a dry garage and let the air circulate)

buzzer

3,559 posts

247 months

Sunday 10th November 2013
quotequote all
In the old days we used to squirt some oil into the carb with the engine running until it smoked well from the exhaust and then stop the car... nice coating of oil on the bores, valves, and into the exhaust as well. I was never really sure if it made any difference, but it felt good to do it!

Probably not a good idea these days with a CAT though... I would still squirt some oil in the bores though as it will have leaked past the rings and into the sump by the time you come to start it.

One thing I always use is ACF-50 (have a look on Ebay - lots of bikers use this) and spray it over everything under the bonnet and anywhere that corrodes. It does not seem to bother paint or rubber. warm the can before spraying it and keep shaking the can. This stuff really does stop corrosion and stops the white stuff appearing on the alloy components. here is a picture of my old corolla engine that I have used this stuff on for years.

A lot will depend on how well ventilated the garage is...


buzzer

3,559 posts

247 months

Sunday 10th November 2013
quotequote all
Good point above about rodents... I know of a few cars that have been written off due to mice getting in there, and they will! my mates VW Sirocco was ruined , they ate the seats, the wiring, even the leather on the steering wheel!

I have a few traps in my garage baited with chocolate held on with some small elastic bands. I check these now and then. Some might say that doing that actually attracts them, but I would like to know if they are around!