Planning on laying up my 300tdi for a short while (3 months or so) till weather improves and I can get some work done on it. It'll be stood outside, on grass. Any tips/advise as to best way to do this? (Obviously, battery will be disconnected) thanks!
lay up for a while
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colinl
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if possible you need to store it on hard ground rather than grass to stop condensation which turns to rust. try and start it up every now and then just to get oil round.you need to watch you dont get mould inside coz it will start to stink!
battenberg
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you can get them chemical moisure absorber traps, it may be worth sticking one inside...
I bought a battery trickler for my bike as I dont ride it too often, cost £12 from a local motorfactors, maybe worth instead of disconnecting the battery, or a solar one and stick it up in the sunroof.
I bought a battery trickler for my bike as I dont ride it too often, cost £12 from a local motorfactors, maybe worth instead of disconnecting the battery, or a solar one and stick it up in the sunroof.
heggars
Nec flectitur nec mutant
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disicant is what you need, you put it in the oven for 10 mins to dry it out. put it in the car do it once a week. sorted
hughesy
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Apart from the interior going mouldy thre months isn't going to effect anything significantly. Unless it's on it's last legs rust wise but then it's going to fall apart anyway, laid up or not.
discool
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Pump the tyres up. I store a classic car every year for the six months although stored in a garage ,the battery is connected to a maintenance charger and the tyres are pumped up to 40psi the normal psi is 25. Sometimes the hand brake and the clutch stick but other than that no probs.
Tyres - good point, will do! Its auto, so leave handbrake off in P. Dissicant will keep the interior right. Rust? Chassis not too bad underneath but will need doing this year- the rear floor is on its way and am just weighing up the options of shipping one fom UK (50 quid ish + shipping) or having one made here. I supect rear cross member won't be much good as well when I get down to it?
heggars
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give the bottom a good spray in wd-40 cure for everything and nothing
Change the oil and filter and take the car for a half hour run or so, then put on stands with the handbrake off.
Tyres should not bear the weight of a car on one position for too long (even when pumped up hard).
Open the fresh air vents on the facia, put in a desicant, if you can check out mobile home/caravan suppliers as the moisture traps they use do not need attention for at least three months. You say you are getting some work done on the car then opening the windows for a short while will always help.
If you can cover the grass that will help, don't bother with a car cover as you would need a very expensive one to avoid the condensation caused by cheap ones.
You are better off NOT starting the engine every so often, unless the engine gets right up to running temp (not just the temp gauge) then the engine will just end up with a shedload of condensation which will 'mix' with the oil causing sludge.
The diesel in the tank can go a bit mingy after a few months so consider draining the tank or at least keep it low then fill up with fresh and change the fuel filter when returning the car to use, do not forget the sedimenter if fitted.
Disconnect battery and if possible place in dry place (not on cold garage floor), if trickle charge is available use it, not an issue if the battery is new.
Could the weather in your area change for the worse in the coming months i.e. freezing temps? If so check antifreeze strength.
Other than that as already mentioned three months is not a long time.
Hope that helps
regards
Dave
Tyres should not bear the weight of a car on one position for too long (even when pumped up hard).
Open the fresh air vents on the facia, put in a desicant, if you can check out mobile home/caravan suppliers as the moisture traps they use do not need attention for at least three months. You say you are getting some work done on the car then opening the windows for a short while will always help.
If you can cover the grass that will help, don't bother with a car cover as you would need a very expensive one to avoid the condensation caused by cheap ones.
You are better off NOT starting the engine every so often, unless the engine gets right up to running temp (not just the temp gauge) then the engine will just end up with a shedload of condensation which will 'mix' with the oil causing sludge.
The diesel in the tank can go a bit mingy after a few months so consider draining the tank or at least keep it low then fill up with fresh and change the fuel filter when returning the car to use, do not forget the sedimenter if fitted.
Disconnect battery and if possible place in dry place (not on cold garage floor), if trickle charge is available use it, not an issue if the battery is new.
Could the weather in your area change for the worse in the coming months i.e. freezing temps? If so check antifreeze strength.
Other than that as already mentioned three months is not a long time.
Hope that helps
regards
Dave
PASTMASTER
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Very sound advice!
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