What's the best way to...

alexanderb · 06-28-2009, 11:11 AM

store your Z for 6 months? See long story short, I will need to store my Z for 6 months. What would be the best way of doing this? Should I buy 4 car stands so that I can raise the Z up? I know it will be bad to leave the car sitting in the same position for 6 months. But then I will run into problems with the engine. Is it sufficient to have someone start the car and idle it every week? I have not broken in the car yet and it only has 50 miles on her. I believe idling it would be bad for break in?

Would it be better if I just have someone drive it around the block once every week? But then I would not want to entrust it to anyone else. But if that would be a better way then I would do it for my baby.

What would you guys do?

Thanks!

tbonesteak · 06-28-2009, 12:09 PM

I don't know for the Zs but same physics apply to all cars. Best thing for the car is to be driven once a week, once a month is even ok. Even if it's around the block a few times with proper warm up. If you're not able to do that, fill up your gas tank to prevent oxidization. Do NOT leave the car on jackstands. This is a complete myth. You need to have your suspension compressed. However, because your tire is under load in one area at all times, it will begin forming a "spot" or will "bubble up" if you will. You want to keep the tires on something soft, like some kind of a fluffy mat or something to that nature. Leave your windows open just a tiny bit. Make sure it's inside the garage. Cover all possible entry holes for the bugs or rats to get in. I would cover the intake hole and any other hole that can possibly create an entrance to the car's internal components. Like i said earlier, try to have someone drive it even if it's once a month. Hope this helps.

mrarroyo · 06-28-2009, 03:50 PM

Below is what I do with my 70 Beetle when I put in long term storage. I have removed items only applicable to the Beetle as well as added a line for coolant!

1. Put a can of fuel stabilizer in the tank. Fill the tank, run engine for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure the fuel stabilizer makes it all the way. Top off the fuel.
2. Change the engine oil
3. Change the oil filter
4. Consider replacing the brake fluid.
5. Consider changing the coolant.
6. Consider changing the gear oil
7. Clean the engine compartment
8. Clean the underside of the car
9. Inflate all tires to the maximum recommended on the sidewalls.
10. Fully detail the car, including a top quality wax job and dressing of all plastic and rubber parts. Park car inside of a garage.
11. Jack the car 1 to 2 inches so the tires do not hold all the weight.
12. Remove each plug and pour in about 1 to 2 ounces of regular engine oil or marvel mystery oil. Using the starter (remove coil cable to distributor since you do not want the engine to start) rotate the engine a few revs to get the oil on all upper portions of the cylinder head.
13. Put steel wool on the exhaust tip. Put a piece of plastic also at the end held in place with a rubber band. This is intended to stop critters from nesting inside your exhaust.
14. Using a large plastic bag put it over the fan assembly and air filter inlet to prevent critters making it in that route.
15. Remove the battery. Clean area; if you find rust treat it with POR 15 or equivalent. Top of the battery cells and store battery in a cool dry place (above freezing).
16. Get three plastic containers. Fill with cedar shavings, and then put in trunk, cab, and engine compartment.
17. Get 2 damp rid. Put one in the trunk and another in the cab.
18. Open the glove door and the ashtray.
19. Do not engage the emergency brake. It most likely will freeze on you during the long months of not being used.
20. Close the doors, trunk, and lid. But do not fully compress the rubber. This is specially important with the doors and rear hatch. Note: Dress all rubber gaskets.
21. Get a sheet of plastic and lay below your car. This prevents moisture that comes up thru the slab from causing any rust in your car.
22. Get a breathable cover and cover your car.
23. Check the damp rid and cedar shavings at least every two weeks and replace/drain as needed

frost · 06-28-2009, 03:53 PM

^ nice write-up.

alexanderb · 06-29-2009, 01:23 AM

Thanks mrarroyo! Very detailed! Much appreciated. Rep point awarded!

Eventually all the oil will just drop down to the oil pan leaving the entire engine unlubricated(if there is such a word...hehe) right? Isn't that bad for the engine? I'm starting to get the idea that starting the car once a week and probably a drive around the block would be a better idea?

But, considering the the car still has not broken in yet would idling it be bad for 5-10 mins every week? And driving it around the block at low rpms would also be bad wouldn't it? As I understand breaking in the car the speeds must vary for the seals to sit properly?

I'm really not very knowledgeable on things like this so your inputs would be greatly appreciated.

noodles · 06-29-2009, 03:01 AM

IMHO in your situation i would find somebody that you trust, i mean REALLY trust, and just have them keep the car for the months. if they are a fellow car nut they will care for the car properly and ensure that it is driven correctly and everything. And then by the time you get back your z will be broken in properly and well taken care of. On that note I am available for car sitting services

alexanderb · 07-01-2009, 03:45 AM

Haha! Thanks for the offer!

Would I still need to cover the exhaust and do everything mrarroyo stated above if I can get someone to drive the car around the block every 1-2 weeks?

Right now the plan is to just put her under a car cover and have her driven around every 1-2 weeks. Washed probably every 2 weeks as well since it will mostly be under cover.

06-28-2009, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
alexanderb Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manila Posts: 170 Drives: PG 370 Tour/Sprt/Nav Rep Power: 270	What's the best way to... store your Z for 6 months? See long story short, I will need to store my Z for 6 months. What would be the best way of doing this? Should I buy 4 car stands so that I can raise the Z up? I know it will be bad to leave the car sitting in the same position for 6 months. But then I will run into problems with the engine. Is it sufficient to have someone start the car and idle it every week? I have not broken in the car yet and it only has 50 miles on her. I believe idling it would be bad for break in? Would it be better if I just have someone drive it around the block once every week? But then I would not want to entrust it to anyone else. But if that would be a better way then I would do it for my baby. What would you guys do? Thanks!

06-28-2009, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	I don't know for the Zs but same physics apply to all cars. Best thing for the car is to be driven once a week, once a month is even ok. Even if it's around the block a few times with proper warm up. If you're not able to do that, fill up your gas tank to prevent oxidization. Do NOT leave the car on jackstands. This is a complete myth. You need to have your suspension compressed. However, because your tire is under load in one area at all times, it will begin forming a "spot" or will "bubble up" if you will. You want to keep the tires on something soft, like some kind of a fluffy mat or something to that nature. Leave your windows open just a tiny bit. Make sure it's inside the garage. Cover all possible entry holes for the bugs or rats to get in. I would cover the intake hole and any other hole that can possibly create an entrance to the car's internal components. Like i said earlier, try to have someone drive it even if it's once a month. Hope this helps. Last edited by tbonesteak; 06-28-2009 at 12:11 PM.

06-28-2009, 03:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
mrarroyo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Heaven on Earth Posts: 211 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 15	Below is what I do with my 70 Beetle when I put in long term storage. I have removed items only applicable to the Beetle as well as added a line for coolant! 1. Put a can of fuel stabilizer in the tank. Fill the tank, run engine for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure the fuel stabilizer makes it all the way. Top off the fuel. 2. Change the engine oil 3. Change the oil filter 4. Consider replacing the brake fluid. 5. Consider changing the coolant. 6. Consider changing the gear oil 7. Clean the engine compartment 8. Clean the underside of the car 9. Inflate all tires to the maximum recommended on the sidewalls. 10. Fully detail the car, including a top quality wax job and dressing of all plastic and rubber parts. Park car inside of a garage. 11. Jack the car 1 to 2 inches so the tires do not hold all the weight. 12. Remove each plug and pour in about 1 to 2 ounces of regular engine oil or marvel mystery oil. Using the starter (remove coil cable to distributor since you do not want the engine to start) rotate the engine a few revs to get the oil on all upper portions of the cylinder head. 13. Put steel wool on the exhaust tip. Put a piece of plastic also at the end held in place with a rubber band. This is intended to stop critters from nesting inside your exhaust. 14. Using a large plastic bag put it over the fan assembly and air filter inlet to prevent critters making it in that route. 15. Remove the battery. Clean area; if you find rust treat it with POR 15 or equivalent. Top of the battery cells and store battery in a cool dry place (above freezing). 16. Get three plastic containers. Fill with cedar shavings, and then put in trunk, cab, and engine compartment. 17. Get 2 damp rid. Put one in the trunk and another in the cab. 18. Open the glove door and the ashtray. 19. Do not engage the emergency brake. It most likely will freeze on you during the long months of not being used. 20. Close the doors, trunk, and lid. But do not fully compress the rubber. This is specially important with the doors and rear hatch. Note: Dress all rubber gaskets. 21. Get a sheet of plastic and lay below your car. This prevents moisture that comes up thru the slab from causing any rust in your car. 22. Get a breathable cover and cover your car. 23. Check the damp rid and cedar shavings at least every two weeks and replace/drain as needed

06-28-2009, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	^ nice write-up.

06-29-2009, 01:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
alexanderb Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manila Posts: 170 Drives: PG 370 Tour/Sprt/Nav Rep Power: 270	Thanks mrarroyo! Very detailed! Much appreciated. Rep point awarded! Eventually all the oil will just drop down to the oil pan leaving the entire engine unlubricated(if there is such a word...hehe) right? Isn't that bad for the engine? I'm starting to get the idea that starting the car once a week and probably a drive around the block would be a better idea? But, considering the the car still has not broken in yet would idling it be bad for 5-10 mins every week? And driving it around the block at low rpms would also be bad wouldn't it? As I understand breaking in the car the speeds must vary for the seals to sit properly? I'm really not very knowledgeable on things like this so your inputs would be greatly appreciated.

06-29-2009, 03:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
noodles Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCali Posts: 61 Drives: Mazda (for now) Rep Power: 15	IMHO in your situation i would find somebody that you trust, i mean REALLY trust, and just have them keep the car for the months. if they are a fellow car nut they will care for the car properly and ensure that it is driven correctly and everything. And then by the time you get back your z will be broken in properly and well taken care of. On that note I am available for car sitting services

07-01-2009, 03:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
alexanderb Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manila Posts: 170 Drives: PG 370 Tour/Sprt/Nav Rep Power: 270	Haha! Thanks for the offer! Would I still need to cover the exhaust and do everything mrarroyo stated above if I can get someone to drive the car around the block every 1-2 weeks? Right now the plan is to just put her under a car cover and have her driven around every 1-2 weeks. Washed probably every 2 weeks as well since it will mostly be under cover.