Garaging For A While

[nzpug 0]

hey,

if you were to store your pug in the garage long-term (1-1.5 years) would it be advisable to remove all the petrol from the tank etc??

also, aside from

leaving the handbrake off,

using different tyres to prevent flat-spotting the good ones,

and disconnecting the battery

what else do you need to do??

 

cheers

Matt

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

You seem to have everything you'd need to do but it might be better to put the car on axle stands instead of leaving it on the wheels & remove the brake calipers so the don't sieze (like mine did).

 

You don't need to drain the fuel tank, you can get a fuel preserver additive afaik.

 

Do an oil change before it goes into store & a good wash & wax as well, then cover it with a good car cover that is waterproof & allows the paint to breathe so you don't get rust spots from trapped moisture.

 

Might be an idea to put a tub of silica gel inside to absorb any moisture inside as well & leave the windows slightly open.

 

Graham.

[nzpug 0]

Cheers Graham

[richt 0]

If the garage is dry and enclosed, leave the doors latched not fulled closed to prevent wear on the seals. Treat these also with a product called gummi pledge, BMW dealers should sell it. Products all rubber seals and stops them drying out.

 

I would also disconnect and remove the battery, and store off the ground

 

As for covers you should be able to get a light weight breathable cover, which is different to out door ones. If you garage storage area/ is dry cover with a soft sheet works well.

 

As for waxing use a product with good durabilty such as a good sealant - meguiars number 20 polymer sealant or autoglym extra gloss are very durable. Give the under body a good wash and dry to prevent corrosion.

 

I also second Grahams axle stand request, and just add fuel stabilizer to the tank.

[saph 0]

I would also make sure the engine has had a good service and things that are nearly worn out are replaced.

 

Whilst its off the road it would be a good idea to turn the engine over or even run it for a while, as this will help to stop flat spots forming on the crank and rust forming inside the engine that will stop it from running in the future.

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

hmm, i'll go against putting it on axle stands - what if there's a slight

earthquake that bangs it off the axle stands down onto the floor?

 

 

what about some oil down the bores as well?

[richt 0]

Axle stand it with the wheels still on.

[Dave 0]

not a huge amount of earthquakes round here....

 

Anyway, I would advise against starting it every now and then, unless you run it for a good 20 minutes at least. just starting and running for a few minutes will flatten the battery and will build up condensation in the engine.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Remove the plugs and pour a small amount of oil down there, in readiness for when you start her up again.

[stevec205gti 0]

And if you live in the UK remember to declare her SORN or you'll get a nice fine through the post

[nzpug 0]

thanks guys.

I am still a little in two minds as to whether I should

a) leave it permanently off the road and dont run it at all, or

get someone to take it for a 30-odd minute drive every 6 months or so.

Whilst its off the road it would be a good idea to turn the engine over or even run it for a while, as this will help to stop flat spots forming on the crank and rust forming inside the engine that will stop it from running in the future.

 

any further comments/ thoughts. how long for rust to form inside and will the internals be damaged but the rust??

[Guest turnip]

Best idea Matt9 is to leave it with me .

 

I'll make sure it gets driven frequently!

 

Cheers

Matt6

 

PS where you going?

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

I'd minimise the amount of fuel in the tank because it won't be very good after that much storage. If garage is warm and dry then I'd put it on axle stands, take battery off and drop some oil down each of bores.

 

Also leave windows open a crack and that would be about it...

 

Rob

[davemar 16]

I had my car sitting in a garage for over a year, and left it on the tyres and they didn't get flat spotted. The tyres were quite new and held their pressure over that time which probably helped. I also had 1/3 of a tank of fuel and it ran OK after that time (ignoring all the other engine problems I was trying to fix!). The only things that really suffered were the brake disks getting very rusty, but I was going to replace them anyway, and the interior growing some green mold. I think some silica gel would have been a useful thing to have.

 

As I was essentially changing the engine over that time, there wasn't any need to do anything under the bonnet, as most of it had been removed. The battery, even though had been removed, did die; so I recommend charging it every so often to keep it going.