Friends,
I have accepted a 2yr assignment overseas and need to store my 88 Cab (too nice to sell).

I plan on storing it underground with a car cover on it at a friends place. My local mechanic suggested filling the tires up to 50psi, storing it with a full tank of gas and disconnecting the battery.

Are there any other suggestions? Do these cars store well? Also should it be started every little while or is it better to just let it sit?

thanks!

 

Why don't you take it with you?

 

Typically, the worst thing you can do to ANY machine, especially one with an internal combustion engine, is to let it sit untouched. I'm sure there are things you can do to minimize any adverse effects, but the better alternative is periodic use.

 

affman,

you can store it fine.

1 change the oil and filter before storage (run it once after the change though)
2 fill the tires to 50 psi
3 fill the gas tank and add a stabilizer
4 clean the engine compartment
5 clean the underbody
6 clean the interior
7 wash and wax the car
8 don't put the car away wet
9 leave the doors locked, but leave the windows down about a 1/4 inch to let the leather breathe
10 buy some of those anti-humidity absorbants and place one in the interior and one in the trunk
11 remove the battery
12 close the vents and plug the exhaust with newspaper
13 leave one or 2 newspapers on the floor under the car to absorb moisture
14 cover the car with a cotton flannel cloth
15 treat all hoses, trim, seats with the appropriate vinyl/rubber/leather dressing

 

affman,

you can store it fine.

1 change the oil and filter before storage (run it once after the change though)
2 fill the tires to 50 psi
3 fill the gas tank and add a stabilizer
4 clean the engine compartment
5 clean the underbody
6 clean the interior
7 wash and wax the car
8 don't put the car away wet
9 leave the doors locked, but leave the windows down about a 1/4 inch to let the leather breathe
10 buy some of those anti-humidity absorbants and place one in the interior and one in the trunk
11 remove the battery
12 close the vents and plug the exhaust with newspaper
13 leave one or 2 newspapers on the floor under the car to absorb moisture
14 cover the car with a cotton flannel cloth
15 treat all hoses, trim, seats with the appropriate vinyl/rubber/leather dressing

 

As I said before, there are ways to minimize deterioration as 9elfer listed above, but the better alternative will ALWAYS be periodic use and movement. This is a well proven theorem in aircraft, and would also apply to cars such as ours.

 

9elfer and Ed,
What precautions should one take before starting car, after car has been sitting for 2 years?Thanks,
GeorgeMa
Seattle, WA
1983 911SC Targa

 

Just a quick question to the group reguarding long term storage and fuel... My father and I restored several antique Lincolns, and always stored them with full tanks. I understood that this was to prevent the steel gas tanks from rusting. However, in the case of the 911, the tank is fiberglass. Wouldn't it make more sense to store it almost empty to reduce the amount of stale gas, so you can add fresh when you pull it out of storage? Rust in the tank shouldn't be an issue on the 911 no?
- Ellsworth

 

Here's my list (that I've posted earlier on 996 board):

Don't start the engine! ALl you'll be doing is making those 'bad' starts & not letting it warm properly etc.

Tyres, don't lower the pressure, but little more (about 40 to 45 psi) in order to avoid flat spots).

Fill up the gas tank.

Change the oil.

Disconnect the battery (or put trickle charger).

Clean interior.

Wash & wax the car. But take it for a spin after that (assuming wheather is nice). You need to dry that baby up before putting it into storage. Cover it if you have a car cover.

Put some conditioner on your rubber & vinyl parts.

Leather conditioner as well.

You can put some of those 'dry pack' to keep the interior dry but since your storage is warm and controlled I don't think it's necessary.

Then, when you start it, if you really want to do it right (this really takes time & effort and maybe is a bit much but here it goes anyway): Lube the cylinders (take out the spark plugs and dip some oil in the cylinders), disable the ignition, crank it up for a few rounds (to get oil in lines before it really str=arts spinning!), connect the ignition again and the fire it up!

This is basically what I do with my older 911, it sits for about 6 to 8 months during winter.

 

For the sake of the tires and springs, I would put the car up on jackstands.

 

A second opinion on jackstands: I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't put my car on jackstands for two years. I've read that the suspension (springs and shocks) should remain compressed during extended storage. If you want to insure that the tires don't flatspot, however, you could replace them with any old tires and store your good tires flat without worrying about them having 50# of air. They should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, place, away from electric motors. I'd cite sources if I could remember any.

 

Filling the tank has nothing to do with rust, but everything to do with limiting the amount of air, and the resultant condensation that puts water in the fuel. Once again, everyone is throwing all of these do's and dont's at you. If you have someone that can start, and preferably drive the care periodically, you (and your p-car) will be in much better shape!!!!

 

All thanks very much for your great advice!
Unfortunately, I have to store it - or sell it. And I am not ready to part with it yet!

I appreciate your feedback.

 

If you do get someone to start it. Don't just start it.
You have to drive it so that the engine gets fully warmed. If it doesn't, bad thing you do (by just starting it) is that you get condensation in the engine.
Also, starting is the worst thing for engine (especially if it has been sitting for a long time). There's no oil in the lines so engine turns few times w/out oil (well, not reall w/out but there's not good pressure).
So, start it once in every six months and when you (or someone lese) do it, drive it too.

And, if you don't have anyone to start it, just preserve it! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />