Title:Long Term Storage
Author:DougoftheNorth
STORAGE SUGGESTIONS (last update 28JAN04) Even though we all live in different areas with different climates, only some of the following may be modified to suit your area. However, even in the hottest “driest” climates, these steps still apply. I would suggest that these apply to more than 3 up to 7 months in storage. Shorter or longer term storage may need other simpler or more involved steps, due to fluids & seals deteriorating, rings sagging etc. This also applies to bikes, snow machines, boats etc. STORAGE LOCATION: Best is indoors (heated) (50-70 degrees F). Second best would be indoors in a concrete floored structure. Third would be in a poly-tarped dirt floor structure. Worst would be outdoors uncovered on the bare ground. If you store it in a plastic garage or poly tarp structure – cover the ground with a poly tarp & make SURE air can circulate in & out of it. Keep snow build up off. In hot areas try to ensure temperatures don’t go above 100 degrees F inside every day, if they do, leave the ends open a bit. You can make a temp garage with 2 long poles set in the ground with a rope/cable attached to the poles & drape a tarp over the rope/cable like this ^. DO NOT ever store on grass or where plants are growing under or if they can reach vehicle! FLOOR: Make sure it's on concrete or a poly tarp covered dirt floor/ground, putting moth balls around & under the vehicle keeps a lot of critters away. If SAFE to do so, spreading mice/rat poison around away from vehicle. COVER: Use a soft synthetic material, leave windows open just a crack to equalize inside & outside air pressure & humidity. DON'T just cover with a poly tarp. Make sure the air circulates under vehicle. LUBRICANTS: Time for all fluid changes that are needed & a good grease job. Give the fittings a little turn & retighten. OIL: You want to get any used oil out before you store it - too much acid & moisture in it. Good time to do a reverse engine flush before storing! FUEL: Use a good fuel storage fluid, (before tank is filled) & run motor for 10-15 minutes after adding so it works its way through. Fill tank to the top with a good Hi-test grade. Change fuel filter(s) now or before driving in the spring. TRANNY/ DIFFERENTIAL(S) ETC: Time to change fluids/oils especially if you have been off-roading or driving in water – get the moisture out before storage. Use synthetics & additives. BEARINGS: You got 2 choices: clean & re-pack before storage or before using vehicle after storage. Use the highest quality synthetic grease you can afford. BELTS: Slack off drive belts, clean & use belt dressing on them. MOTOR & COMPARTMENT: Pressure wash, blow off with air, let dry well & polish up anything you want to stay nice. Use engine & hose dressings if you like them. TIRES: (on or off vehicle with no weight resting on them) reduce the air pressure to 15lbs during storage. Give them a good coating of Armour All (or such) on both sides. Polish the rims also. Put a film of synthetic grease on lug nuts & replace them. Check if you have any water in them & drain accordingly. Remove lube & replace the valves. BRAKES: Check the moisture level, in your fluid & do a system flush, bleed, add fresh fluid replace as required. If in a humid area, give drums/disks/callipers & all surfaces & moving parts (not pad/shoe facings) a light spray of silicone protectant (spray brake clean before re-use) then cover with a plastic bag & twist tie closed & pointing downwards. Give the bleed fittings a little turn & retighten then spray them. Don’t forget to spray the backs of the backing plates. SPARKPLUGS: Since I have seen them rust, pull them give them a shot of fogging oil & put them back in. (good time to check their condition-re-gap & replace as needed.) PAINT: Clean vehicle well & then give it a good wax job, (get off the bird crap, stains & tree sap etc) do any metal trim of bumpers with polish also. If you got rust spots, spray some anti-rust primer on them. A good time to wash out behind any mouldings, wheel opening & windshield trim-spray a little silicone surface protectant behind them, using the straw that comes with the can. GLASS/WINDOW FILM: Clean as required, (use only window film cleaner on window film). Re-apply any anti-fog/rain guard treatments. WINDSHEILD WASHER: Time to flush it out. If it goes below freezing make sure you put in a windshield washer antifreeze at the level of protection you need then make sure you pump it through the whole system – rear window & headlite lines - if you got them. Adding a bit, even if it doesn’t freeze where you are, helps lube the pump & preserve the lines. Some tap/well water isn’t good to let sit in there-use distilled water. UNDERBODY: Pressure wash, let dry & give a liberal spray of oil - on frame & lines too. Summer chainsaw chain oil heated up works really well. Don't use WD-40! Plug holes with stainless steelwool pads. RADIATOR: Check coolant acid level-if high now's the time to do a flush - before storage, & (freeze limit if applicable) You can put in a sacrificial anode too (good idea) BATTERY: Fully charge it, then check cell S.G. & H20 levels & add distilled water as needed. Take out & store in a place above 40 degrees & on a piece of wood or rubber. Charge it up every month-fumes are explosive!. The best is the dry storage method, but it's pretty long method, & usually reserved for longer terms. Spray or flush the battery holdown area & put Vaseline or dielectric greadse on the ends of cable or wires. INTERIOR: Clean, vacuum, use your rug/fabric/vinyl protectants & use a few pots of desiccant (humidity remover) - sold at RV stores & hang a few scented air fresheners. (take out any food or candies!!!) Empty & clean ashtrays! Remove rubber/vinyl mats from carpets. EXHAUST: Spray in some surface protectant oil (sold for table saws & stuff) up the ends -not WD-40! Plug end(s) with stainless steelwool pads. NON-CAT, CARB’d & EFI: Run motor & spray in a good amount of engine fogging spray. I do this on my CAT vehicle even though they say the cats can be ruined or warrantee voided if oil gets in cat. I never had that problem in over 14 years now. Spray in fogging oil when you first crank it over - after storage. AIR INTAKE & CARB: Plug off inlets with stainless steel pads & stick an oiled synthetic material rag in the throat of the TBI/TPI/CARB intake. Time to clean/replace filter elements as required. A/C & HEATER: Get the system vacuumed out to remove the moisture/impurities. If stored in an area where animals or birds may “visit” plug any intakes with stainless steel pads or mesh. SUSPENSION SPRINGS & COILS: Especially for longer periods more than 4 months - Find a spot on level ground, CAREFULLY jack up & block up high enough that the suspension hangs at its fullest down position. Make sure vehicle sits level. Use proper jack stands or blocks. (hollow concrete blocks can collapse) Make sure the jacks/blocks can’t sink or shift during freezing or thawing or soaking of the ground. AIR SUSPENSIONS & SHOCKS: Deflate after spraying on any rubber, Armour All or such, it will stop it from cracking. Spray a good amount of protectant on the exposed metal shafts. (better yet pop one end of them off & shove them closed. PERIODIC STARTING: NO- leave it be, every time you start it up, you suck in moisture through the motor & fuel system. If stored properly, as above, this is not needed nor recommended, as you will have to redo a lot of steps. Plug any holes with oil soaked SS pads. INSURANCE: Depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, usually if it is off public property, & you are permitted, you should take off the PL & PD, & leave on the fire, theft & comprehensive. Saves a lot of $. Don’t expect the person’s, business’s or the property insurance coverage, of where it is stored to absolutely cover any problems. If it's stored where noone can check on it, call your insurance agent & see if they require it to be "visited" every so often. It is advisable to correspond in writing (email will do) & get their response in writing (email). Hope this helps. If any of you have other specific questions PM me. Written By: Dougofhtenorth
Edited By: Dougofhtenorth |
