Hi,I did the following:
Q&A: Help! I need some advice about car storage for a long time.?
The pictures have nothing to do with the content!!
I heard that it is pointless to store a car for two or three years because all the gaskets will dry up and rot away? It is true? I have a 98 Explorer, which is paid off, under 70,000 miles, but I like it. I am willing to store it in a indoor storage unit. Will it be okay if I come back and run it for a week every 6 months or so or is it best to just give it to charity or sell it? What are the disadvantages to storing it…if any? Thanks so much for your help with this!
The following is the answer:
Answer by Bass Master
it will not hurt it. disconnect the battery and it will be just fine.
Answer by wiseornotyoudecide
Who ever told you about the gaskets is a MORON what can happen is all the engine oil will drain to the bottom of the pan and when you start the truck after 2 years will damage your engine if not properly lubricated. What you have to do if you let it sit for two year is
To store it:
1. Should do step 3 first Make sure to drain all the gasoline from the gas tank, and dont allow any air to enter the gas system to prevent rusting of lines and components.
2. cover the air intake system with a plastic bag to prevent moisture from entering the system will also keep bugst out.
3. Drain your cooling system completely and replace with new cooling mixture fill completely. Remove the Battery
WHEN YOU STAR IT after 2 years:
1.Drain the engine oil, remove the oil filter. Replace the oil filter and make sure you fill the ne oil filter with some oil before placing back into its location. Fill the engine with oil check the dip stick to verefy that the oil if flowing freely onto the engine.
2.drain your cooling system completely and replace with new cooling mixture.
3 remove the bag from the air intake, remove the air intake and check the trotle body for any rust, there shouldn’t be any, prime the trottle body by putting a bout 2 ounces of gasoline directly.
4. place the air intake back properly, put in a new battery fill the gas tank with at least 3 galons of high grade octane. Move the key from lock to just where you can hear the fuel pump working do this at least 10 times and try starting at the 11th time.
only turn on for about 10 seconds and turn it off, check your oil level and top up. Now you can turn it on and go for a ride making sure to test your brakes by doing a few go and stops at slow speed before you decide to go far. Might of missed a few more things but you get the idea i hope. GOOD LUCK
Answer by Jeffrey S
In addition to wiseornot’s suggestions, I would pull the spark plugs and spray some wd-40 in each cylinder for long term storage (replace the spark plug after spraying) This will coat your cylinder wall and help prevent rust from forming in this critical area.
Answer by southerndedhd
Actually, whomever informed you that letting it sit is correct. That is the absolute worse thing you can do to a car. You can take many steps to prevent damage, but the harsh reality is that the seals and gaskets WILL dry rot and you will wind up with leaks and other issues when you start driving it again. The transmissions in the Explorers are not the best and they are the first thing to start leaking when they sit for that long. You can put some money into preparing to let it sit, the cost of storage, and the maintenace for when you take it back out of storage or you can sell a good working vehicle with relatively low miles and buy another when you return. In the end that is your decision, but do keep in mind, even with preventative measures, you could still wind up putting a lot of money in a vehicle that isn’t going to be driven for quite some time.
Answer by TEXAN_35601
Before you Store it do the Following, Change the oil and Filter, Add a Quart of Oil Stablizer to the oil (it will help keepthe oil fresh,
Clean the interior wash the exterior , Add a quart of Stabil to the fuel Tank will keep the gas from turning into varnish,fill the tank with gas. When you put it in storage, Have the car placed on stands and take the wheels and tires off.
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