Tips for long term storage of a car please

[Gus Berges]

I do realize I'm on a Porsche forum and what Audis (specially black wagons) mean around here, but unluckily for me, the Audi forum gets little activity and the knowledge base here is FAR superior. Here is the situation regarding my current ride (2013 Audi RS5):

Through no fault at all of my own, I was involved in an accident about a month ago. Part of the damage to my car is that the radiator and the cooling fans broke. Because of potential legal complications, it seems as if my car will be parked for an additional 8-18 months before it is repaired. Question for you that have technical background is: what can I do to help avoid any complications due to this extended storage?

I guess I could turn the engine for a few minutes before it gets to operating temperature, but not sure if the lack of reaching proper operating temperature for an extended period of time would cause condensation and other complications (carbon deposits?). Also not sure if the water pump would fail from operating it without water. Another doubt is how to determine the operating temperature if the coolant sensor has no water/coolant in it?

Would the gasoline "gum" up in the injectors or at the tank?
Should I just disconnect the battery?
Should I pump the tires' pressures to max (avoid flat spots)?
My AC condenser also broke, so I know I cannot operate that either.

I do realize that the worst thing for a car is to just have it sit and that is exactly what it looks like will happen to mine for nearly a year.

Regarding storage conditions, ambient temperatures will vary between 75-85ºF (25-29ºC) and the car will be parked in a garage with plenty of ventilation.

Thank you in advance for your comments. I sincerely hope none of you have to go through something like this.

[svandamme]

put a good car cover over it so no birdchit can get to it

pour stabil in the fuel tank fill up the tank with fuel, way full
then and run it a while so it circulates through the system with the stabil in it.
couple of minutes should be fine

If the radiator is busted, make sure to fill it up with coolant while before you run it
ideally the closed thermostat would allow the engine to run with the coolant
do not drain it, the coolant will protect from corrosion

perhaps give the seats a leather treatment so they are ok for a while.

yes, do disconnect the battery.


tires, well, no use, standing still will make em flatspot.
if you can, put the car on jackstands..

perhaps put some pest deterrents to ward of critters that might nest or chew through cables

Not sure what the deal is, but accident & legal issues?
sucks man, hope it works out for you

[Gus Berges]

Hi Stijn,

My car will be parked at either the dealer's garage (covered parking) or at my condo, so no worries about bird***** or other critters getting to it. Car cover would be nice, but for the price of a good one, I can have my car hand washed on a weekly basis instead.

Not sure I can run the engine as the radiator is broken, thus any liquid I put into it, will quickly leak onto the floor. It's like pouring water into a cup that has a hole at the bottom...

Did not think about the leather, but good idea. I did just condition them at the end of December and the interior is in mint shape as was the rest of the car before the accident.

I thought about disconnecting the battery, but not sure if that will mess up the electronics (resets ECU, tranny, radio, etc.). Will call the dealer and ask. I was thinking about a battery tender, but at $100, I want to make sure what is best.

Gotta shop for jackstands.... Those will be cheaper than the nearly $1500 on a new set of tires. Car rides stiff as is, so having flat spotted tires will be easily noticeable.

Regarding the accident, it is a "simple rear ended" situation that pushed me into the vehicle in front. The judge determined that the one that rear ended me is at fault and is in fact the guilty party, but his insurance company, which is the same one that I have, has decided to appeal the decision. The appeals process here takes anywhere from 8 to 18 months, thus me asking the question about storage. Now I'm facing a potential legal battle as it appears that the guilty party doesn't have enough coverage to take care of my damages, thus me requiring to sue his employer (none other than the government's bank!). All of this because my car is insured against third parties only, not uninsured motorist.

Suck$ a$$ big time....

[Dantilla]

I have a 944S sitting in a warehouse.
Besides the above, cover, jackstands, battery disconnected, fuel stabilizer, I overfilled the engine with oil so the whole crank assembly is submerged to prevent rust.
Who knew a 944 engine could hold over 15 quarts?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

I have a 944S sitting in a warehouse.
Besides the above, cover, jackstands, battery disconnected, fuel stabilizer, I overfilled the engine with oil so the whole crank assembly is submerged to prevent rust.
Who knew a 944 engine could hold over 15 quarts?

Just make sure you put a couple notes ... would hate for you (or someone else) to crank that!

G

[shadowjack1]

not sure on your car, but Porsche tech bulletin says not to put on jack stands as the now exposed sections of the shocks will rust.

[svandamme]

That sucks man.
Can't they repair the car now and sue for damages later?

[Gus Berges]

The only way local insurance companies pay for repairs if you are not at fault is if you have uninsured motorist coverage and pay your deductible. Since I don't have that kind of coverage (I strictly depend on others having insurance to cover my repairs if they are at fault), I could pay out of my pocket now and "hope for the best" later, but given the fact that I've been unemployed for 6 months, let's just say I rather spend $30K on utilities/mortgages/kids' schools/etc. than repairing my second car.

I currently pay $175 a year for insurance in case I damage someone else, but if I wanted to have my car fully insured against uninsured motorist, the bill comes up to nearly $2.5K a year. Given that I lost my job only a few months after I got the car, I had to cut back expenses to bare minimum, this is one of those results...

[jcommin]

I store my car over the winter - I put moth balls inside as well as desiccant packs. Moisture is a killer for a car. I use to put a plastics sheet on top of the floor to act as a moisture barrier. You could also over inflate the tires instead of using jack stands.

[ckelly78z]

Some consideration should be given to rodents, or unwanted bugs, pests. Desiccant bags in each footwell, plastic on the ground underneath the car as a vapor barrier (even, and especially on concrete). Jack stands on all 4 corners, full tank of premium with Stabil run through the system.

[RANDY P]

You're gonna have problems with oxygenated gas gumming everything up. I'd consider emptying the tank.

rjp

[Gus Berges]

Did not find Stabil at the local auto stores. Guess going the "empty the tank" route.
On a fuel injected car: will it hurt the engine/fuel pumps if I run the engine until it stalls due to lack of fuel?

[wayne robson]

Heres what i have done for over thirty years ,and from NewZealand south island
a cold wet area.
When i lived in CA US for 2 or 3 times of 4 to 10 years, stored in NZ
six to seven classics 2Porsche, Jaguar,Alfa, Mercedes,Buick,
Always drove on to 2 layers of cardboard on top of concrete, this reduces the cold
and helps with anything that drops from car. Empty all gas tanks,removed battery,
gave them to friends to look after and charge, Never put cars on jack stands ,
but lifted cars and raised them until about half the weight of car was raised,and put wooden blocks under suspension. on each corner.Forget about running engine,unless
it is done every 2 or 3 months over that time while stored.not your case.
My opinion with yours because its only a year, most of the above,but leave engine
and radiator, ac, etc,Your car will be fine, dont worry about .it, never had any problems
those years when i returned except a Alfa spider had a clutch that had stuck in gear.
.

[Gus Berges]

Thanks Wayne!

[lgb240]

Find fuel stabilizer...it works!! let the car run for a few minutes to circulate through entire fuel system. Don't run the car 'for a few minutes' periodically during storage. Idling the engine for a while is pointless. it only causes condensation in the exhaust. Do an oil change before you put it away as well. I'd get a cover...keep unwanted eyes off it. Dusty, broken cars that haven't moved in a long time will find other bits and pieces removed.

[aigel]

Sea foam works too for fuel.

If you are worried about shocks, put jacks under suspension, so it stays compressed but the tires are off the ground.

My main concern would be fuel. Fuel stabilizer and park would be my MO. Getting tires messed up is harder and they are easily replaced.

G

[dienstuhr]

Can’t believe no one has suggested surrounding the car with 55 gal drums filled with water/antifreeze to provide “thermal mass” ;-)

[Arizona_928]

Throw it out in the field. Maybe even get some of those small rodent water feeders and fill em with antifreeze to kill of unwanted wildlife.