HondaJon

I am leaving for college at the end of this week and wanted to know what to do with my integra to get it ready for long term storage. It will be covered in a garage until christmas break, and then back into storage until summer of 2003. Here are the things that I have come up with.

1. Change Oil and filter
2. Change Tranny fluid
3. Clean inside
4. Wash, Wax
5. Degrease the engine with simple green

What should I do to the car mechanically to get it ready to sit. Should I put it up on jackstands or anything to preserve the longevity of my suspension (GC's, Koni's, ITR rear sway)

I also have three sets of wheels and tires, so I can put some stockers back on the car for storage. I have 97 GSR's, 00 Si's, and C8's with Azenis.

What is the proper storage method for wheels and tires for the car?

Thanks for the help guys, I want her to look good and drive well when I take her out of the garage next year.

Jon

HondaJon

One thing I have heard to do is put a teaspoon of oil down each spark plug hole and turn the motor over with the pully bolt to keep your rings from becoming seized. Is this a good idea?

I am also going to take the battery out and put it inside.

What else guys?

Jon

ragejed

i heard your spose to take off the tiers, and put it on stands so you dont leave dead spots on the tires

HondaJon

I have heard three schools of thought on that matter:

1. Put up on jackstands to avoid flatspots in tires

OR

2. Leave on tires and pump them really full with air to avoid having your suspension fully extended for a long period of time.

OR

3. Leave on tires, but put some blocks or something under the jacking points with some weight on them.

What should I be doing with the car?

Jon

GSRwBOOST

get the tires off the ground, on jackstands or onto plywood under each tire...

i say drain the oil so **** doesnt grown inside it.. remove the fuses so no dumbass can start your car in stealing it and **** it up...

take battery out and put on a block of wood so it doesnt drain

let some air out of the tires if you decide to put your car up on blocks or jackstands

run it almost out of gas, very little left

HondaJon

Will my chassis start to sag if I put the car onto jackstands? And won't my shocks have some damage from being at full extension for a long period of time?

How should I store my spare tire/wheel combo's? What kind of psi should be in them, and how should they be stored (ie. stacked 4 high?) Thanks for the help so far guys.

Jon

mugenracer

I was told, but dont know if its true, that tires should be stored outside as if theyre kept indoors for long periods the rubber perishes and hardens, but then again if you live in a region that gets snow/ice/rain i dont think i wouldn't want to leave them outdoors. i had to store my car for three months last year, i just got my brother to start it every week and leave it running till the temp went up to normal operating temp then shut her off again. it was parked in the garage and the door was locked and i had the only key, i also took the steering wheel off to prevent anyone trying to steal it!

HondaJon

ttt, really what are the key things to do to the engine to get it ready.

Jon

drewspeed

"Change the oil before you store the car. Get the old oil out of there before it sits all winter.
There are lots of contaminants in old oil that should not be left sitting
in there for extended periods of time. You don't have to use super synthetic oil
for this. Just some good quality engine oil. I like to pull out the spark plugs
and take a little bit of oil and pour it into the cylinders. This will cat the pistons
and keep the rings from getting dry and sticking. You don't need a lot. Put a bit of oil on your finger and
run it around the threads of the spark plugs and put them back in. Your car will burn a bit of oil when you first
start it in the spring so don't be alarmed when it happens. Change the oil when you take it out of storage. You
already new that right? If there was any condensation or whatever when you left it, its now in the oil pan.
Get it out. Now is the time to get the good oil and a new filter and put it in.
Make sure not to overfill. Then you can use the regular gas stabilizer to the tank
to make sure that the gas stays fresh. Fill your tank all the way with good gas. This will keep
water from getting in the tank in the form of condensation, which also helps from rusting on the inside."

GSRaCeRbOI

I would change all the fluids... oil, tranny, coolant, brake, clutch, etc so theres no old fluids and other dirt/contaminants inside... wash and wax the car, and theres some stuff you can pour into the gas tank I think its called stable or stabil or something..to prevent a lot of moisture and condensation I think... I would also disconnect the battery and put it on wood (not concrete) so that it doesn't drain all out...since you can't use your alarm (batterys out) get an autolock and pull the ECU fuses or install a kill switch so if someone gets in the garage they cant take your car.... plug up the exhaust w/ a bright rag (so you remember to take it out when you use the car)...and have the car on jack stands (all 4 corners) to avoid flat spots on the tires.... when you get back I'd change the fluids again...

legendboy

I'd get someone to start it up for a few min's every week for sure. I'd never leave my car without starting it for 6+ months

type r 01-1063

hmm...are all these procedures still recommended even if the car is only being stored for a month?

Jesse H

actually you want it full of gas and fresh oil.

If it's stored for a loooooong period of time, you'll want to drain the gas. But having it stored for a few months, the full gas tank helps prevent water absorption.

Fresh oil prevents corrosion.

NVBAM

I'm storing my car in a pole-barn this winter (About 4 months), so it is going to be extra cold in there...any extra things i should consider?

quis23

-sit an open container of baking soda in the engine bay to absorb moister.