I am off to Germany for 3 years and plan on storing my Z in a storage shed for the duration. I am looking for ideas or websites to help me preserve my car.

Thanks

 

Can you get someone to come and start it once in a while?

 

Put the car up on jack stands on the frame so the suspension doesn't sag and tires don't get flat spots. I'd put those moisture absorbers in the interior and hatch area but dont know if they'll last for 3 years. Also change oil and put fuel treatment in gas tank. There are probably a couple more things you should do that I'm missing...

 

must be military.iwent through the same thing about a year ago.talked to alot of people about the subject.most of the guys were friends of my dad's that are serious car freaks.i was told that no mater how much prep you do,if someone can't crank it and move it a little maybe once a month,the 3 year sit will ruin the car.so we sold our '99 and replaced it with the SS in my sig.our tour was cut short due to me being involved in a BAD motorcycle wreck in okinawa,japan.i look at it this way,if hadn't sold the '99,we wouldn't have the SS.Just my 2 cents worth.

 

It's not impossible. Just shut it off, remove the spark plugs and fill each cylinder with marvel mystery oil. The oil will seep down into the pan slowly and leave a coating behind that will prevent the rings from rusting to the cylinder walls.

It might not be a bad idea to have a friend turn the motor over by hand and add more oil into all the cylinders at the 1.5 year mark.

When the day comes to reactivate her, all you need to do is change all the fluids, install a battery, fresh spark plugs and fire in the hole.

I would also recommend storing it on junk rims and tires so your good tires dont flat spot. I would not recommend puting it on jacks. The chasis in front is not designed to be premenantly supported by anything other than the suspension. Placing jacks under the rear axle would not hurt anything however, because the car is designed to be supported by the rear axle.

 

Hey TABAHR, I liked your suggestion in last week's thread (seen here) about storing a car for a long period of time and using "visqueen" (plastic, basically? ) underneath the car to hold back the moisture from getting to the car. Would that not be a good idea in this case for a car that's going to be stored for ~3 years? Just thought I'd bring that up, 'cause it sounded like a good idea to me.

Otherwise, I disagree that the car will be "ruined" after sitting for 3 years. Hell, you can DRIVE a car for ~5, ~10, ~20+ years and that's OK, but to let it SIT for ~3 years and it's gonna be ruined? I don't buy that.

- I agree with filling the gas tank and adding stabilizer (ie: Sta-bil), and pulling the plugs and oiling the cylinders really well. If the oil has been changed somewhat recently, then I'd say LEAVE IT, because you should change it before you fire it up after the 3 years (considering the oil you're gonna be putting down the cylinders anyway).
- pull the battery and store it where it won't freeze, and preferrably NOT directly on a cement floor.
- I don't see the problem leaving the car parked with the weight on the suspension. Again, what if you were driving the car for those same ~3 years. But either put on wheels/tires you don't care about, or block it up on the rear diff and under the front A-arms to keep the tires off the ground.
- don't know where you'd get it, but moisture absorbant stuff for the interior? Someone in that other thread had also mentioned using Bounce sheets or something, although they're probably not going to last the whole 3 years? I'm sure they wouldn't hurt though??

The only problem you may have after the 3 years are some seals that have possibly dried out a little, and may start to "seep" some oil, but if you break the car back in gently, they may revive and not leak. I know my buddy's Dad has a '69 'Vette that's been a work-in-progress for nearly 20 years that just got on the road this summer, and considering how long it sat for, not too much leaked on it (the shifter shaft into the tranny, the pinion seal, and one of the seals on the steering rack showed signs of leakage).

 

Yeah, the visqueen would be a good idea as well as all your other suggestions. In my post I was focussing mainly on mechanicals.
I like the fabric softener sheet idea, as well as silica gell or some other discident.

 

when i said ruin i was refering to the rubber components on the car dry rotting and going to crap.i just don't believe you can let one sit for that long,untouched and not have some problems to address when you pull it out.

 

Rubber will dry rot at the same rate, regardless of usage. It is a matter of being in contact with oxygen. tires, window & door seals, grommets, bushings, etc..

Also, the suspension will not sag any more than it would if the car was driven for those 3 years.

The only issue I see is the posibility of the A/C freon leaking away if the seals in the compressor are allowed to sit unused too long. They will not dry rot, but they could get dry enough that they wont be able to hold the refrigerant pressure.

It is entirely possible that the car may need a seal or two replaced after sitting 3 years. That is definitley not a big enough deal to sell it. Seriously, storing a car 3 years is not that big a deal. Go for it.

 

Mine has been under a car cover for 2 years now. I know i'm going to cry when I see it again

 

welcome to Germany!
where did you stay in Germany?

can you bring some good stuff to Germany?

Thomas

 

I'd sell it!

3 years is too long, regardless of how much prep work you do something will happen beyond your control.

Sell it and get something newer/whatever in 2008