long term storage procedure ?

[John Peerce]

job requirement means i might need to work abroad for at least six months. Can ppl here advise, or provide decent links on how to "prepare" a car for long term storage ? (e.g. disconnect battery is the most obvious one).

I am thinking of storing the car in a long term car park in London somewhere (indoor).. any ideas of reasonably priced and safe car parks ?

 

[sym]

John - I'll look after your car for you for 6 months . . . I'll even drive it round the block once a week, and give it a nice motorway run every so often to keep it nicely lubricated

Shame to have it stuck in a car park

Seriously - I think this has been covered elsewhere on the forum in the past . . . I've certainly read it somewhere, if not here.

S.

 

[guydewdney]

full fuel tank, high tyre pressure (like 50 psi to stop tyres from deforming), disconnect battery? i'd open a window / sunroof just a crack to allow air circulation - if safe to do so...

 

[jaymanek]

When you get back, turn the engine 'by hand' (or big wrench) a few times before starting.

I bought my own wheel clamp for use in london car parks and id cover it with a car cover. If someone notices a c43 in a car park that hasnt moved for a while, they will prob get it out somehow...

Jay

 

[C240Sport97]

ask a relative or a close friend to look after for you ... put them on the insurance, and get them to drive it for about 20 miles once a week.

 

[John Peerce]

hehe .. thanks for the offers of looking after the car ..

reading between the lines from the comments above it sounds like some of those long term car parks are not as safe as i thought

As a side point, am i right in thinking that before disconnecting the battery there is a fuse located in the boot near the battery itself which has to be lifted(unplugged)... if i recall correctly this is to do with protecting the circuitry later when reconnecting the battery..

 

[andy_k]

the best form of long term storage is to get a friend/family member to look after it for you and drive it once in a while.

Other than that, the advice offered has covered most things

Andy

 

[Satch]

Try

http://www.carlines-uk.com/

 

[Brian WH]

I agre that the best care of a stored car is to run it regularly or as a "Must" it should be moved to avoid bearings "Brunelling" when stuck in one position. One alternative is to jack the car up on blocks to take the weight off the wheels, which is not practical in a public carpark.

 

[Will]

Don't forget that if you are to disconnect the battery, the car will not be alarmed. May have a significant effect to the security of your pride and joy, and to the insurance. As has been said, let a good friend or relative take it out for a run every week or so.

Good Luck,

Will

 

[fuzzer]

How about here?

http://www.autovault.co.uk/

 

[guydewdney]

i have also heard that jacking it up is bad, as it makes the suspension go funny as the rubber blocks get loaded strangely.
the solution was to jack it up using the suspension arms, so the arms stay (nearly) in the same place. - four el-cheapo halfords stands would be fine.. would also help the tyres quite a lot.

if theres sunlight on the car - get a sooperdoooper soft car cover from the back of the merc enthusiast / any classic car mag to stop interior fading and UV damageing the tyres. (caravanners aparantly do this tot he tyres)

 

[jimmy]

John, seriously, if you are looking for long term, safe, secure, storage then please contact me. Cheaper and safer than a long stay car park and no funny business.

 

[mbz 6]

If you can find a garage to store the car,a Carcoon with a battery conditioner is the best. I have stored my Brabus over the last 3 winters in one and after 5 months in storeage I get in and start the car first time. Its like you used the car yesterday. So far I have not had any problems with the battery (not changed in 3 1/2 years) clutch sticking or brakes.

 

[Simon]

May I add I don't think it's a good idea to apply the parking brake because the cable might stretch, or more likely the brakes will become seized on. Just leave it in P or gear. Personally I'd take Jimmy up on his offer.

Good luck on your venture abroad.

 

[John Peerce]

thanks for the replies so far. They do raise alot of issues which i havent considered (eg disconnecting the battery will disable the alarm thereby potentially affecting the insurance)..

The carcoon idea seems very atteractive, but for that i guess i need to rent a garage...

The specialist car storage companies (two mentioned in this thread) also seem attractive, as they offer packages which include switching the engine on periodically (untill it reaches operating temprature) and keeping tyres inflated etc. The trouble is how do you know if they are actually going to do that ? not to mention they probably park cars so close to each other like sardines in a can (door dings, anyone ??).

 

[Ralph]

Rather than disconnect the battery, consider a solar panel battery trickle charger. That way you can leave the alarm on, protect the battery, and keep the electronics happy.

Something like this, only £14 but you might have to connect it direct to the battery.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=28641&item=7915344284&rd=1&ssPageName=WD4V

Not sure of the quality / output. Good ones cost > £100

Maplins do a few
http://www.maplin.co.uk/?default.asp?CartID=10969933&userid=newsletter
N46AJ
N45AJ
N44AJ

 

[mbz 6]

If you want car storage you could give Italia Autosport a ring 01484 319308. Its run by John Pogson who races a Ferrrari F40. I have been in their storage area its very secure dehumed and the cars have plenty of room, they sometimes store F1 engines.
They have done work on my Brabus and are very good but not cheap, people ship Ferrari's from all over the UK and europe for servicing.
The garage is in Huddersfield but you could have a good blast around the pennine roads( Topgear use them sometimes) before saying goodbye to your car for six months