Long term storage

[Jobber85]

Well lads, i'm leaving this lovely country of ours for a year and unfortunately I won't be bringing the mini with me:( I'll be puttin her in a dry (but not heated) garage for the year. She'll also be kept under a breathable cover to protect from dust etc. and will be taken out for a good spin hopefully at least every fortnight, if not more frequently.

Just wondering does anybody have any other recommendations for long term storage? Want to do everything I can to ensure she's as near to normal working order on my return home next year:)

Thanks,
Jobber.

[Billy]

Lift the car up on axle stands. It will take the pressure off the suspension and avoid flat spots on your tyres.

[madjackjr]

if it is a good dry garage leave the window open when its under cover i find it keeps the inside well aired i do it over the winter months

[GTM Coupe]

Take out the battery or get a maintenance charger installed, if it wasn't going to be used I would loosen of the rockers, and would oil up the bores with WD40, make sure it has a good amount of antifreeze in it so during winter the block doesn't freeze and crack and remove the fuel

[keith]

i guess you have to decide if its going to be driven *at all* while you are away.... if it is, and then only on dry days, it limits how much you prepare the car.

If you want to fully put it to rest, in addition to all the above (open the windows, disconnect the battery [either use it in another car or trickle charge it for 6 hours a month], put it on blocks, drain the fuel, loosen the rockers etc etc) oil all the hinges, locks, cables etc.. go mad with a tin of spray oil and spray the entire engine bay, specially fuse box, distributor/ecu alternator, and looms/connectors.

if you can get in behind the instruments spray a mist of oil in there too.

make sure the car is spotless clean, inside ant out: inside clean means you are less likely to get fungus and bacteria having a "free gaff" - outside clean means the paintwork is protected. wax it!

also put some rodent repellent in the engine bay: stops the blighters eating the rubber and cabling.

getting it going again will mean a day or so of work... but its worth it!

i kept an old beemer on my driveway like that for ages. took the covers off it 3 or 4 times in 18 months..

[antodeco]

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but just a few questions.

I have a cover (storm proof one) for the clubby, which wont get driven much. Its in an underground car park. Should I keep the windows slightly open? I have a dehumidifier anyway, which Ill keep in the car. I disconnect the battery too. How long does it take for the flat spots in the tyres to start?

[keith]

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but just a few questions.
I have a cover (storm proof one) for the clubby, which wont get driven much. Its in an underground car park. Should I keep the windows slightly open? I have a dehumidifier anyway, which Ill keep in the car. I disconnect the battery too. How long does it take for the flat spots in the tyres to start?

deffo leave the windows open, an inch or two is good. the storm cover is probably overkill if the car park is dry... a cheap dust cover would work well. not sure about flat-spots.. i would roll the car a foot every month.

[antodeco]

Thanks Keith. The main reason I got the cover was a "just in case". I dont actually know what way the carpark gets during the winter. Plus, its better to have it protected as much as possible

[daveq]

To be honest if its going to be out every fortnight if not sooner for a spin, all I would do is disconnect the battery. The rest is overkill IMO.
If the car can't sit for 2 weeks then I think it has bigger problems.

[keith]

Thanks Keith. The main reason I got the cover was a "just in case". I dont actually know what way the carpark gets during the winter. Plus, its better to have it protected as much as possible

reminds me that i should get a cover for my clubby before the winter kicks in... group buy, anyone?

[smur89]

Thanks Keith. The main reason I got the cover was a "just in case". I dont actually know what way the carpark gets during the winter. Plus, its better to have it protected as much as possible

reminds me that i should get a cover for my clubby before the winter kicks in... group buy, anyone?

yep, i want one too, so ill go in on a group buy