SpanishRicer

Well I'm being recalled back into the service and will most likely put my Prelude into storage while I'm away. It's most likely not going to be moved anywhere from 6 months to a year at a time and I need to know the proper storage steps that are needed to keep my car and it's engine in good shape. Any advice would be well appreciated

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Forget about that bald guy. I'm the original Mr. Clean...

Bullchan

Disconnect the battery. I stored my Prelude for about 2 months and the battery was dead when I tried to start the car.

bdb

Full tank of gas with a gas stabilizer.
Battery on a trickle charger.
Put it on jack stands.
Cover it.

84RHONDA

Very important.....DO a Fresh OIL change before you store the lude. Fill your tank and add a good fuel stabilizer, drive around for a bit to make sure the fuel stabilizer gets circulated through to the injectors.

Put some cheap rims with some tires you don't care. Store the Lude and remove the battery. Get someone to trickle charge it once a month. PUT a car cover on and plug your exhaust with a rag to prevent uninvited creatures building a nest etc.. If your storage area is damp, put some cardboard underneath the car.

I personally would not bother putting the car on jackstands, I hear it's worst from a spring point of view. something about unatural spring travel. (read it somewhere)

I followed these steps and my lude was stored for 6 months, when I started, it purred just fine. I also stored the car on my stock rims.

Hope that helps. There are more crazy ways of doing it, some guys even remove their spark plugs and unhook their fuel injector fuse and squirt a drop of oil on top of each pistonetc..... Personally, I think it's overkill.

buh_buh

if you want, you could take off the wheels, and put the car on jackstands, that way you won't get flat spots on your wheels.
but this site should help you out:

http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk15.html

axion68

I would recommend running it as low down on fuel as possible and putting stabilizer in it. Gas loses a lot of it's "freshness" after about 45 days. It won't effect a bigger motor such as a car but a trimmer or a lawnmower motor really has a hard time burning it. Between that and putting a rag in your exhaust, sealing your airbox/filter so nothing can get in (mice, rats etc...) and a fresh oil change right before you put it away are good things to do. Take your battery out and have it trickle charged from time to time. Thats about all I can think of. You might want to cover it with something, like tape some old/cheap sheets together and attach them to the car after you clean it.

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beaty

Do not engage e-brake. Block the wheels and/or put in gear. Top up the brake master cylinder to its fullest so there is no room for condensation. Putting the car on blocks is not a good idea (would put stress on some suspension parts where they are not designed to tolerate). Simply inflate the tires 5-8 psi over the recommended and have someone to move the car back and forth once in a while and it should be fine. If your tires are about to retire, don't bother. If you park the car indoor place a tarp on the floor and drive over it so as to prevent moisture damage from the bottom. If you're gonna park it outdoor...god bless you. You are back for service to protect the country, so if your car get vandelized when you come back, find the asshole and kill him. That's what I can think of for now. Have a nice trip and have a good time, pal!

BlueShadow

the thing about letting your gas tank sit on empty for 6 months to 1-2 years is that the part that is not in contact with any liquid will start to rust from the condensation. so you would want to top it off.

however I have heard that for 2 years or more in storage, then you want to drain all the gas completely.

wreckdiver

Condensation in the fuel tank is only a problem if it is in a unheated space where the temp can fluxuate. If it is in a heated garage leave the fuel low. Also, it can be put on jackstands to avoid flat spots on the tires, just place stands so as the weight of the car is on the suspension. If you put jackstands under frame and let wheels hang---BAD.

BlueShadow

Yep thats true, you would need to find a climate controlled car storage area to prevent rust in the tank and the rest of the car. however if you cant find climate controlled storage, then the temperatures are gonna depeding on where you live. there aren't too many places I know that have the same weather all year round.

also I just remembered a tip I heard a long time ago, has anyone heard of leaving baking soda in the cabin to soak up moisture? leave plates of baking soda on the floormats or something like that.

wreckdiver

Definately need to take precautions if the storage area is damp, best stuff going is a mildew control bag made by Star brite, I buy it at my local marina. Has deodorizing ability too, which is important when something is closed up tight for long periods.

mharbeLUDE26

If you want, you could just leave your car with me and i'll watch it for you

Stereodoc

How does moisture condense in the fuel tank if the fuel system is a closed loop system and sealed air tight from the outside environment?

Prelude UK

I am not saying that it is the right thing to do or not, but is there anything wrong with draining the oil first, leaving the engine empty?

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