Ok, a friend of mine is going to be storeing his car over the next 12 months while he is serving in Iraq. The car a is a 2002 Trans Am WS6 "SLP Edition", very nice car. Well he asked me to help him prep it for storage, I'd like to know what i need to do to prep a car for long time storage like that. It will be parked in a storage unit over the 12 months he's gone. I figured at least do an oil change, trans fluid change (6spd), rear end fluid change, coolant change,and Fill it with gas and add some stabil to the gas. i planned on leaving the batteries unhooked too. He is leaving the keys with me so I can start it once a month and run it till its warmed up then park it (During the warm months only). Anything i might be forgeting to do? This car is his baby, and he doesn't want to have any problems with it when he comes back. Thanks.

 

If you'll be running it up to temp monthly, I'd just add Stabil, fill the tank, disconnect the battery and park it. I wouldn't worry about the fluid changes until you get it ready to go back on the road.

If it's just going to sit, I'd consider pulling the tires and putting it on blocks. I'd also fog the cylinders w/ MM oil or something similar to reduce chance of rust or stuck rings.

 

Put it up on jack stands under the frame so it takes the load off the springs and keeps the tires from flat spotting. Loosen the tension on the fan belt or belts. Get some Mothers Spray on and wipe off wax and wax the car. Armoral the dash etc. Put a dehumidifier in the car. Put a trickle charger on the battery. Make some notes of what you did to put it in storage and what should be done before firing it up when he gets back. Then put the note in the car. You could put some light oil on the rotors but you would want to make sure to clean them with brake cleaner before getting it out back out on the road. Take some pictures of it so he can have a reminder of what he gets to come back to.

 

I wouldn't worry about any fluid changing. Start it up once a month and let it warm up. Maybe put it around the lot and then put it away. Shouldn't have any problems.

This makes me sad cause I went out to the shop Christmas morning and started my 02 WS6 for its weekly warm up run. I wanted to take it for a spin so bad.

 

Thanks guys for the input. I did plan on a good coat of wax before he puts it up, the dehumidifier and the trickle charge are a good idea. He kinda wants to do all the fluids just for the reason the car is due for a fluid change and it gets ran pretty hard, It is not a stock WS6, he loves to hot rod it and race it.

 

Good ideas about the jack stands and waxing. Not sure I would start it every month just to warm it up unless you were going to drive it a while to dry out the exhaust. When I use to put my boat up for the winter, I would let it get warm and then at idle, spray WD40 in the carb until it died and then turn off the key and let it set. It would smoke for a few minutes in the spring but never had a problem. Not sure I would do that on a car with modern electronics and a cat though.
Like the guy said above, have him take a picture with him and ensure him that you will take care of his baby and thank him for his service while you are at it.

 

You should also take precautions to prevent mice from making the car its home. A friend has 7 Miata, only drives 1, the rest he has in long term storage, he puts moth ***** in the car, stainless steel wool up the exhaust and seals off the intake by putting a plastic bag over the air filter (we have flat panel filters). Disconnect the battery and attach a 1/2 amp charger once a month to keep the battery. Good wax job, put on jack stands taking the load off the suspension. Stabil in the gas. He can always get one of those giant baggies the you car fits in and you evacuate the air.

 

All very good ideas, but if you plan on starting it when it's cold out, let it run long enough to warm up completely. If not the condensation that is created will cause more damage. Water = Rust

 

Just plan on doing the oil change again when it comes out of storage to get any/all of the condensation out of the crankcase.

 

I've stored a few cars (including a 4th gen like that).

1) keep rodents out of it.
2) fill the tank add proper amount of stabil, run the engine for a little while with it so it works it's way through
3) Put damp rid in the interior, get a couple canisters from walmart and empty them every couple months
4)DO NOT use anything with silicon (things like armorall) on any rubber parts!
5)Change the oil
6)Jack it up from the SUSPENSION, not from the frame. Although if you can keep rodents out this isn't really necessary with today's radial tires.
7)DON'T CRANK IT, unless you plan on taking it on a long trip otherwise you'll just attack the inside of your engine with water that should be sitting at the bottom of the pan.
8)I don't know how hard it is to pull the plugs on an LS1 but if it's easy get something like a storage fogger from someone like Evinrude. Less is better since it has cats and 02s .
9)Disconnect the batteries, fill the antifreeze.
10)Change the oil in 12 months before cranking it, take it easy with that old gas so you don't smoke a valve.
11)KEEP IT INSIDE .
12)Oh and crack the windows.
13)Oh and clean and wax it before storage.
14)Even if sitting out side, DON'T COVER IT.


I think rodents cause problems keep them away! I put some things in bold don't know why just felt like it.

 

Man, I wish my mice would stay away from the mothballs....... I swear they eat the stuff!

Anyone else have another mouse repellent that has worked for them?

 

Rat traps, lots of poision, cat... Ever think about letting some snakes loose ?

That way the cat, snakes and mice will fight each other lol.

 

Fill the gas tank (add Sta-bil), change the oil in the engine, put it up on jackstands (under the suspension) and disconnect the battery. Don't run again it until it's ready to come out of storage.

Don't worry about changing the other fluids, only the engine oil builds up acids during operation.

 

I agree with not running it until its time to break it back out of storage. I would remove the battery and store it where you can remember to charge it every two months. As was mentioned above...rodents. Everytime I get my truck out of storage there are walnuts stored all over the engine compartment.

 

Yeah, keep the battery in a dry warm place so it doesn't kick the bucket. Also is a theft deterent.