ppashley

I am putting the car into multi-year storage.

Since there is much talk but limited data on this, I'll monitor the car over the next few years, and update on status.

I am expecting some work will be required on the car in time, and I'll track that here.

The car will be serviced approx annually, but will not see use, as I will be overseas. The car is a 1995 993 with 42k miles.

Update 1: June 25th 2011
- Car put in Storage
- Tyres filled to 50psi
- Sta-bil added to fuel
- Car put away after a hot run
- Car cover
- C-TEK charger

I'll add another update in 6-12 months.

AOW162435

My junker has been on jack stands since January. I know the feeling...



Andreas

No HTwo O

Tires should be closer to 58 PSI, IIRC. Use nitrogen, if you can get it (dryer air).

Park on a thick mil plastic painter's tarp. You should also consider putting several pounds of desiccant in the cabin.

Fresh oil? I hope.

What are you going to monitor? What data are you planning to collect? For example, use oil analysis during the storage period my be intersting to see.

ppashley

Andreas - the dung beetle still in hibernation? Seems a bit long?

NoHTwo0 - Yes, Fresh Oil - engine and gearbox (tranny). Fresh brake fluid.

Intention is to monitor general issues, and track maintenance etc.
Oil analysis would be interesting, but since I'll be out of country, not easily possible.

Psoncanada

I would put it on Styrofoam as well - 1-2" thick - to further help the tires stay round.... And some steel wool in the exhaust pipes...

95_993

For storage, I use tinfoil wrapped with a rubber band over exhaust tips & air inlets to heater boxes underneath. Keeps the critters out and is really easy to remove.

+1 Especially if it's sitting on a typical concrete garage floor

Lastly, I would treat the leather with something like LeatherMasters Vital. A little 303 protectant on the door/rubber seals wouldn't hurt either.

paa502

Doors on first "click", helps to restore shape of the rubber seals.

ppashley

So its just over 1 year now that the car has been in storage.

Next week, will be returning to Europe and will check on the status of the car.

Intention is to remove the DME, and turn the engine over a few times to get the oil pressure up, then replace DME and start.

Any other tips, other than checking for rodents etc.

Thanks

Phil

Update 1: June 25th 2011
- Car put in Storage
- Tyres filled to 50psi
- Sta-bil added to fuel
- Car put away after a hot run
- Car cover
- C-TEK charger

Update 2: July 2012
- Will confirm next week!

77'3.6vram

I would not worry about the tire pressure as you are going to need to replace the tires anyway after 5+ years in storage.

RocketJohn

Interesting thread...

NC TRACKRAT

IMHO, using double-dose STABIL in the fuel will be sufficient for 2 yrs. at best. At next visit, if at all possible, I would drain tank and re-fill with fresh fuel and double-dose STABIL. Anyone got an easy method of draining a 993 gas tank? Next to impossible going in the filler neck to siphon.

Christian J

An easy way to drain the tank involves removing the tank guage. With a flexible hose you can get almost all of the fuel.
If you have non-ethanol gas I wouldn't worry about the fuel if it's going to be 3-5 years. I also wouldn't start the car annually. It introduces condensation and acids produced from combustion into your fresh oil and for what benefit? Fog the cylinders with oil, cover the inlets and exhausts as suggested above and let it sit. I've stored motorcycle engines for years with no damage using this method.
I agree that the tires will be suitable only for a drive to the tire store after 5 years so no need to worry about them either.
Corrosion is your major enemy. Maybe push the pads back into the calipers?

Quadcammer

would pulling the hose to the fuel pump not get the job done?

Robert993TT

About fuel and longtime storage over a few years without starting the car. I think I would put Aspen fuel in the tank. It do not change during longtime storage as regular pump fuel does. If the longtime storage is just over the winter month I think regular pump fuel is just fine. I have not had any problems ever. The pump fuel in my Ducati is just over 12 months old right now, but I will fill it up with new fuel before the winter storage. I always fill it up with ethanol free fuel.

http://www.aspen.se/Aspen_(eng)/Consumer/Products

Van1

I'd check for evidence of rodents inside of your cooling fan area. When i first bought my 993, there was evidence that rodents had lived in the engine bay at one time as a large portion of the sound pad was gone and one of the ground wires was chewed. While removing my cooling fan to install an RS pulley while my engine was out I had discovered where all the sound pad went. It was all over the top of the engine underneath the cooling shroud.