Long Term Storage

[bonjo]

I may have to store my VVTI for 9 months in my garage (not heated or dehumidified)

Should I fill up the tank?

Should I empty the tanks?

Should I use fuel stabiliser?

Should I use fuel additive?

Lots of questions. Anybody with experience or recommendation.

I am Ok on the Battery front

Thanks

[Big Kev]

If it was me, I would insure it for somebody else to drive it, and have it run up to at least normal operating temperature once a week. IMO, it is courting problems to have it stood standing for that amount of time, but hey-ho....that's just me.

Big Kev

[Mike JD]

If it was me, I would insure it for somebody else to drive it, and have it run up to at least normal operating temperature once a week. IMO, it is courting problems to have it stood standing for that amount of time, but hey-ho....that's just me.

Big Kev

Not sure you need to be that drastic, though I agree that would an ideal solution. Our 4.2 VVTI had stood for almost 12 months due to the illness and death of its previous owner and I bought it from her estate. With the snow falling on Dartmoor last December I clipped jump leads on the titchy Battery and away the engine went to give me no grief since. IIRC there was about a quarter tank of petrol and certainly nothing was added to it afore running it. The clutch was a different matter - sticking release bearing meant slipping and a new clutch. Oh - and a serious washing programme to get the green algae off the paintwork and out of all its delicate little places. The hardest part of its reinvigoration was getting the heavy stench of stale !Removed! smoke and nicotine staining out of it. A good going over with uphostery cleaner gig for the latter and repeated applications of Febreze and plenty of fresh air from open windows sorted the former

I don't recommend such neglect but it serves to show that the auld RAV is tougher than we might think.

Mike D

[IanXT4]

I have never stored a car for nine months, but I store a glider and trailer every year for about 6 months with similar issues.

Problem with unheated garages in the winter is you get an overnight cold soak, then as the air warms up faster than the cold car you get condensation on all metal parts. This can give rise to mould, corrosion and musty damp smells etc.

Obviously corrosion will only occur on untreated surfaces so I don't thing this will be a major problem on the RAV, so you are really looking to stop mould and damp smells.

If you can get power to the garage, then a greenhouse heater or something similar that can raise the temperature just a few degrees is normally all it takes. Alternatively you can get absorbent dessicate bags you can put in the cabin.

Other issues, you will get flat spots on the tyres, these will go as you use the car next time. However, its advisable to use the car for a few short trips first to get rid of them. (The car feels it has unbalance tyres)

I have read of issues with modern petrol degrading, but in nine months I don't think this will be a major issue.

I would fill up (No condensation in a full tank) and take the car for a long run (10 miles) to get everything hot then put it in the garage either with some background garage heat or some dessicate bags in the car(available at caravan/boat stores. NB, close all the vents etc). It you have any areas of corrosion in the engine bay I would spray them with WD40. (In fact its a good idea to spray this on anything that could potentially corrode, hinges etc)

One final point make sure you have nothing that smells like food in the car otherwise your will have visits by little visitors :-)

When you come to restart the car it could be a good idea to give it an oil and filter change.

[SQUEALEYHEALEY]

You could put it on axel stands or bricks to prevent flats on the tyres. Think about getting a trickel charger for the Battery.

[anchorman]

You can leave a Ctek 4003 charger on all the time you are away and it will cycle the Battery and keep it healthy.

[bonjo]

thanks for your feedback.

I use accumate as Battery charger conditioner of the car & my motorbikes.

I may end up taking it to a storage company as I don't like the idea of unattended heaters!

I am also looking at a product called Air chamber.

What I am unsure is how to deal with petrol. It looks like full tank is the way to go but I still think I will need to add some sort of stabilise

[anchorman]

I think you're worrying too much. Disconnect the Battery and make sure that is kept healthy, leave it with the handbrake off and go. I don't think that amount of time is a big deal.

[bothwell_buyer]

agree with above - leave handbrake off and take the packet of sandwiches out of the glovebox.

I have left petrol in tanks of my old cars for 2-3 years and they still started.

And how many new cars sit in compounds outside, for months on end before being sold? And I bet they don't have a tankful of petrol either!

[local hero]

You have obviously never seen the Italian job, Michael Caine is let out of prison after a couple of years, goes to his Aston Martin removes the hidden money from under the bonnet hits the key + roars out of the garage Seriously, i get quite a few people in my cab who work overseas for long periods of up to 12 mths + on occasion have asked me to give them a jump start, I think you are being over cautious, Hand brake off, look after Battery and it should be okay.. Stew

[three5]

I may have to store my VVTI for 9 months in my garage (not heated or dehumidified)

Should I fill up the tank?

Should I empty the tanks?

Should I use fuel stabiliser?

Should I use fuel additive?

Lots of questions. Anybody with experience or recommendation.

I am Ok on the battery front

Thanks

I'm a great fan of Waxoyl, particularly for cars that don't do a lot of miles. If it were my motor, I'd Waxoyl the underside of the car when it is nice and dry and clean. Just be careful of the brake disks, radiator and odd things on the underside of the car, like the fuel cooler on the 4.3 D-4D.

[bonjo]

thanks guys.

I do remember the time when new cars were stored outside for up to a couple of years before they were registered!Could see them when on the train in Slough/Heathrow area.