Storing Car

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Maybe a bit of a silly question but I have found I am using my other car more frequently at the moment so the 42 is spending more time in the garage (approx. 3 weeks at a time). Is it best to turn the battery off at the switch over these durations?
 

77GR

Junior Member
Messages
76
Turning the battery off is a good idea for a period like that to prevent drain by alarm, clock, radio etc..

However, a much better idea if you have power in your garage is to invest in and connect to a battery conditioner (e.g. CTEK). This would mean the alarm remains activated, the ECU doesn't need to go through another learning process, the radio doesn't lose its memory and need a full reset, you don't have to leave the windows down so you can open the doors without reconnecting and it's better for the battery being periodically topped up at optimum points.

I have cars and a bike I leave lying around for weeks connected to battery conditioners. Before I connected to conditioners (and leaving the batteries connected) I got 2 to 3 years out of a battery, after leaving them connected I get 9 to 10 years - the conditioners paid for themselves.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
My personal observations of long periods of non use:

I have stored my 1969 Opel GT for long periods (2-5 years) but am using it more these days.

What I have learned (the hard way) is fuel does not last very long and if your not using it for say 6 months you will get issues. As a rule now, I run the car right down on the tank so its nearly empty and stick a fresh gallon in when I want to use it.

Other things to consider are the tyres. If a car sits for a long period, the radials in the tyres can deform from the weight. Luckily I have a scissor lift so I raise it just enough to release the weight.

Battery, sure you can disconnect it but lack of use degrades the battery. Also nothing kills a battery like the cold. I remove mine and store it in the house.

Internal rubber parts/seals also dont like to be stood and degrade plus condensation can form inside the engine and transmission and sit there, tarnishing the parts.

The car should be started and idled till warm once a month to remove this.

Interior, you should leave the windows done an inch so it can breath and also the number one golden rule of storing a car is never put a wet car in a closed garage. Make sure its done in clement weather so its dry underneath.

Also, as I am sure you are aware, the hand brake should be released and the car left in gear.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Thanks for the very good advice chaps, I will take all on board and also invest in a CTEK charger. I have been turning her over and leave to idle up to temp. every week but I have been leaving in neutral with handbrake on so will also take that onboard also!
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
What I have learned (the hard way) is fuel does not last very long and if your not using it for say 6 months you will get issues. As a rule now, I run the car right down on the tank so its nearly empty and stick a fresh gallon in when I want to use it.

some good points, but the fuel thing is always a bit of a conundrum and attracts different advise/views, some say keep the tank full with good quality fuel so there is less risk of condensation in the tank, I've never really experienced any issues with stale fuel (no idea why) I had one car with Bosch fuel injection that I hadn't started for probably almost a year and after a fresh battery it fired up after several turns, I know you can get additives to stick in the tank to preserve fuel but never used em and no idea if any good,
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Battery and flatspot tyres are always my main concerns. I always leave the cars with handbrakes off and roll them on the tyres everytime I go in the garage, Ctek charger monthly but I only leave it on for a few days at a time and finally warm up to temp when I can.

Never had an issue with fuel though
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Re -running the engine once a month..
There's a very good argument ( I believe) to not doing this because unless you warm the engine sufficiently , and Id suggest warming it on idle is insufficient, you create enough warmth to induce condensation as opposed to actually burning it off with more normal engine use at operating temperatures.....

:)
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Frank/FCZ on there told me that he had issues with a Maserati gearbox and it turned out to be condensation had rusted one of the shafts where it had been sat, and it had to be stripped down and replaced...something to think about.
 

John3200

Junior Member
Messages
32
+1 For the CTEK. I have been storing my car for 2 years now, it's been left in neutral on tyre savers, fuel stabiliser added to a full tank of Shell V-power, and a couple of trays of dessicsant in the footrwells. I start it up once every 3 months now and it fires up first time. My garage is well ventilated and the car was put away clean and dry under a fitted cover. I make sure to run it for about half hour to get fully up to temperature and get both fans cutting in.
These cars like to be used but I think the C-tek helps trick them in to thinking they are!
There is my old thread here https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/should-i-start-my-car-up.24082/ from when I asked.
If everything goes to plan I shall be getting it back on the road next year...
 

DevonPaul

Junior Member
Messages
76
One thing I found with my old garage which was separate from the house, is that metal things went rusty over the winter - even a bit on the surface of some Allen Keys (and not cheap ones either).

The garage was not damp, but obviously the cold meant things got condensation on when the sun came out and heated the roof (and air inside) up quicker than the contents.

A few quid on a PC fan screwed to a block of wood meant the air circulated all the time and even the Ducati didn't rust the following year and the current draw is minimal.
 
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lifes2short

Member
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5,821
other culprit is no DPM in the concrete base, rising moisture will cause all sorts of problems to the underside with long term storage, worth considering carcoons if problematic storage conditions
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Good point L2S..............But in my case, I'm a Building Surveyor/Project Manager and I designed/built the garage!
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Absolutely!................Shame I can't say the same for the cottage, I don't think they had them in 1799!!:wink:
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
@DevonPaul where in Devon? I grew up in Torquay and all cars rust on the south devon coast because of the humidity and salinity in the air is very high. A good garage provides a degree of protection but its particularly aggressive in that area.