Hey all. Haven't been on here in a while.

I'm away at school and my coop has been in my garage at my mom and dads house for the past 2 years. I graduate in may and then am going off to another state for law school.

I will be gone for 3-4 years visiting occasionally on holidays and whatnot. Is there harm in not running a car for long periods of time? My parents don't drive my car or even start it. It sits for about 5-6 mos at a time between a start up and me driving it for a couple weeks.

I plan on keeping this thing forever....it has 59,000 on it and is in 9/10 shape (besides the clutch that's wearing down lol)

I'll be driving a civic with 160k on it while on my next school adventure.

Anything I need to do with the 'money pit' to prevent her from premature aging?

 

I don't think there is too much harm, except for the gas going bad. You will definitely get flat spots on your tires, and I would for sure disconnect the battery. besides that I don't think there is any harm, especially if it's inside.

 

Raise on jack stands to help flat spotting, store with fresh fuel and leave on a battery tender. Fresh oil changes on both ends of your time away would be good too. Stuff will degrade and go bad just with time and sitting. Bushings and rubber hoses will get brittle and these need to be inspected if you get home and expect to go carve some twisties after it has sat for a while.

 

Don't forget coolant and brake fluid...

 

If you lift it onto jack stands put some 2x4s or something under the wheels so the suspension isn't just hanging there. It's not good for it to sit there at maximum droop for long periods.

 

I hear that there is a product that you add to the gas tank to stabilize the fuel while in storage, I'm not sure if it works or not but something to look into and remember that tires have expiration dates as well, I think it's about 6 to 7 years or so

 

Disassemble whole car. Reassemble when you get back. Problem solved!

 

There is - it is called Sta-Bil Gas Stabilizer.

I have no scientific evidence. I can only offer my experience and the fact that for the past ten years, my snow-blower that sits for six straight months and my lawn mower that also sits the same amount of time without being started have ALWAYS started on-the-very-first-pull of the cord when i removed them from storage.

I know this is lawn equipment but gas is gas and storage is storage.

To add, I also used it in my 2005 Honda Goldwing that actually spent more time in storage. It would be put up in mid to late September and not be started until late April or mid May. It too always fired up without any issues whatsoever in the 5 years I had it.

You can get it at any auto parts store or Wally World.

 

Cars need to be exercised just like a human body....or costly parts will melt away.

Even the A/C seals require lubrication and that will only happen when it's run, brakes need to be manipulated or the pistons will seize up even if in a garage, and we all know how much those parts are ( Unless it's like Jay Leno's - heated and controlled ) And then there are the 4 legged rodents who like to take up refuge in what's the equivalent of a man made reef. Put some rodent traps in the garage and maybe few small burlap/cotton bags containing moth ***** under the car. Certain parts of the MINI engine bay are considered a delicacy, then there are the ones who take up refuge in your headliner.

Someone should be taking this car out for a spin at least once a week. And I personally have not had that much luck with fuel-stabil in the lawn tractor so went back to the drain and fill method.

GL.

 

I have good luck with Stabil. They key is let it run in the fuel system before shutdown. I have some 3 year old fuel in my Vanagon. Fires right up.

 

3yrs old...lol, using the VW as a MINI emergency filling station

I'll give that a try next time, Thanks !

 

Visit the Mini and start it now and then. Mine has been in the garage two months hooked up to a Battery Tender.

Good idea about jacks. Not sure about gasoline, Can you come visit and drive once every six months?

Very hard to empty all the fluids, and then not driving it could not be good unless you visit like every six months for a drive.

That is what I have done during grad school.

 

Here's what I would
Battery tender to maintain battery, or just remove battery
Add a couple extra quarts of oil over filling it. This way all the bearings on the crank will be in oil keeping any from pitting from sitting.
over inflate the tires and if you can put the suspension on block so the tires don't flat spot
Seafoam in the fuel tank and run it for 10 minutes, and fill the tank FULL of fuel, this will reduce moisture buildup
Cloves on the floor under and around the car. From my understanding mice don't like cloves.

 

Don't forget to coat everything with cosmolene & wrap the parts in oiled paper. Just like those $20 surplus Jeeps.