Hello all, I’ve just bought my fathers old merc citan van as I’ve got some building work to do on the house. My 03 E55 will be going into dry (not temp controlled) storage for at least six months. I’ve just changed the engine oil and filter and had her up in the air to remove covers and wheel liners to rub down and waxoil. I’ve got a decent cover, and I’ve had some worn tyres put on my spare set of wheels which I’ll swap over at storage facility. Have you guys and girls got any tips? Should I crack a window open? Start the car to op temp every month. Thanks for any info.
Storage tips
- Thread starter Matt58
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chic0821
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My S63 AMG is off the road in the garage over winter, around 6 months. I wash it, take it for a small run to ensure its totally dry including brake discs, fill it with petrol to prevent condensation, add fuel stabiliser, don't bother swapping wheels, just add an extra 10 to 15psi. Put a bag of silica gell inside to absorb any moisture. Ctek battery conditioner on permanently. Indoor car cover. Don't bother starting it as you will just introduce moisture into the exhaust. Mine starts first time after hibernation.
Remember to reduce tyre pressure when you go back to it. (put a note on the dashboard.
Remember to reduce tyre pressure when you go back to it. (put a note on the dashboard.Brilliant, thanks for the reply. Just out of interest, what other precautions would you take if car was in storage for longer periods of time?My S63 AMG is off the road in the garage over winter, around 6 months. I wash it, take it for a small run to ensure its totally dry including brake discs, fill it with petrol to prevent condensation, add fuel stabiliser, don't bother swapping wheels, just add an extra 10 to 15psi. Put a bag of silica gell inside to absorb any moisture. Ctek battery conditioner on permanently. Indoor car cover. Don't bother starting it as you will just introduce moisture into the exhaust. Mine starts first time after hibernation.
chic0821
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Nothing really, you seemed to have covered it yourself with new oil, filters & waxoyl. Ctek MXS 5 is what I use as it monitors the battery, lets it reduce in voltage then brings it back up, much as everyday usage. Maybe use some Gummi Pflege on the rubbers around the doors. I put it on my cars coming up to winter as it keeps the rubber good & prevents the doors icing up if the car is outside
If you are storing it longer, then swap the wheels as you said. Keep the original wheels covered and in the dark as light seems to effect the rubber. Read that somewhere.
Thanks again, I’ve ordered some silica and fuel stabiliser, do you think silicone spray on a rag would do the same job as the gummi stuff, if not I’ll get hold of some. Friend of mine is going to machine polish and ceramic coat before she goes away. Thanks again for your advice. Matt.Nothing really, you seemed to have covered it yourself with new oil, filters & waxoyl. Ctek MXS 5 is what I use as it monitors the battery, lets it reduce in voltage then brings it back up, much as everyday usage. Maybe use some Gummi Pflege on the rubbers around the doors. I put it on my cars coming up to winter as it keeps the rubber good & prevents the doors icing up if the car is outside
If you are storing it longer, then swap the wheels as you said. Keep the original wheels covered and in the dark as light seems to effect the rubber. Read that somewhere.
Bellow
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
I've not used the Gummi stuff but have used Halfords silicone spray for years with good results.
Darrell
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My 911 can sit in the garage for up to 9 months at any one time. I do pretty much what chic0821 has mentioned and I’ve been doing this without issues since 2007. The garage is heated if that makes any difference.
Mate of mine has got a Lancia Delta EVO2 that sits for months in a carcoon again without issues.
Mate of mine has got a Lancia Delta EVO2 that sits for months in a carcoon again without issues.
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I agree with not running the engine periodically while the car is being stored. Not only does it introduce moisture into the exhaust, it also introduces combustion condensate into the oil which will promote internal corrosion of the engine components.
The combustion condensate will mainly evaporate off in normal use, but not if you simply run the engine until it reaches operating temperature and then stop it. Some of it is also held in suspension in the engine oil as long as the engine is run regularly, but comes out of suspension if the engine remains stopped for a long period. This is why it's important to change the engine oil and filter immediately prior to storage. You did run the car around for a few miles getting it properly hot after you changed the oil and filter?
Thanks, yes I got the car nice and hot, and that oil and filter had only done 2k. Luckily enough my best mate has just rented a small workshop mainly to store his contract cleaning machinery, but the real bonus is that it has a 2.8t two post lift, which made servicing and waxoil treatment a real pleasure, even putting the arch liners and wheels back on at a good working height makes such a difference. Can I remove the fuel pump fuse and spine the engine every know and then? Would that help with moving some oil around the rings etc?
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I wouldn't bother. If you were intending to store the car for a very long period, then take the spark plugs out and put a teaspoon of oil down each bore, spin the engine over a couple of times and replace the plugs.
As it is, I'd just park it up, put it on a maintenance charger and shut the garage door.
Thanks.
Thanks.
StMarks
MB Enthusiast
Perhaps also invest in a couple of mousetraps for the garage, with bait that's tastier than your car's plastics or wiring loom etc,,,
Thanks
Darrell
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Good idea.
Yes we’ll worth thinking about, thought I might stick a few pics of the mother in law around, they’ll probably throw themselves on the traps.
Evening mate, I’ve got hold of the ctek you suggested, I’ve got a AGM starter battery in the rear and a auxiliary/SBC battery in the front (not sure if that’s AGM or lead acid) do they both get charged simultaneously, or should I remove the auxiliary battery? Cheers Matt.Nothing really, you seemed to have covered it yourself with new oil, filters & waxoyl. Ctek MXS 5 is what I use as it monitors the battery, lets it reduce in voltage then brings it back up, much as everyday usage. Maybe use some Gummi Pflege on the rubbers around the doors. I put it on my cars coming up to winter as it keeps the rubber good & prevents the doors icing up if the car is outside
If you are storing it longer, then swap the wheels as you said. Keep the original wheels covered and in the dark as light seems to effect the rubber. Read that somewhere.
chic0821
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They get charged simultaneously. Connect positive to main battery positive & negative of Ctek to a bodywork bolt in the vicinity not the battery negative.
I use a Ctek comfort connector which is permanently attached to the battery, then you just plug the Ctek into the comfort connector which is routed to a convenient place to suit yourself
See youtube video
I use a Ctek comfort connector which is permanently attached to the battery, then you just plug the Ctek into the comfort connector which is routed to a convenient place to suit yourself
See youtube video
Extend CTEK Charger Reach with the Comfort Connect Extension Cable
Lovely job, many thanks.
Wearsthefoxhat
MB Enthusiast
I have used a few of those plug in ultra sonic pet deterrent things along with a liberal spraying of WD40 to ward off mice. Not sure which works but have had no problems over the years.
