effects of parking a car long for long period of time?

[vincent-h]

Just wondering what are some effect of parking a car for long tim e without running it.

Just say 1-2 months parked without running it. What are all the things that could happen?

[Importz]

take your battery out

[civicrider]

your tires might go flat and it can cause damage to them
the oil dries up around your pistons so be carful when you start it up for the first time, just let it run for a bit so it gets lubed up again

[GTS Jeff]

2 months is nothing haha. just leave it alone.

[Meteorite]

Rust, of course. Spray the underside with a wax based oil.

Improperly drained fuel gelling in carb or fuel injection.

Piston seizing (Run a little Rislone or other very light oil through the motor via the carb or F.I. and let it stall itself out)

Squirrels and mice may hibernate in it.

Paint damage if you leave it outside uncovered.

Moisture getting in causing the interior to mold.

Tire sidewall cracking over time.

Spring sag, unless you put it up on jackstands.

Remove the battery!!!



However, in two months, the only thing that may happen is that your battery may discharge. Are you able to fire it up and let it reach operating temperature every week or 10 days? If not, take the battery out, and do not store it on the concrete where it will discharge faster. Store it on a wood bench in room temp with a trickle charger attached every few days.

[Gonthro]

well i left my truck sitting for several months and it just fired up agian.... you should be fine, just bring a set of booster cables with ya when you go to get it.

[vincent-h]

it's on concrete.

btw i just took my old car back out now after parking it for about 2 months.

and i didn't let it warm up *doh* had to go work and at the likes i saw some smoke seeping outta the hood.
which didn't occur befor i parked it? any reason for this?

[Gonthro]

could just be moisure burning off the exhaust manifold or something.

[vincent-h]

i hope so haha

gonna get my oil change etc and see if everything is good.

[theken]

Originally posted by Meteorite

Spring sag, unless you put it up on jackstands.
.

never put your car on jack stands when parking, your vehicle doensn't sit on jacks for the summer while u drive it, that can cause damage to your suspension alot worse then having it sit there ever could.

[TurboZombie]

You might want to add some gas stabilzer to your tank, it keeps the gas somewhat fresh and prevents it from gumming up!

I put fuel stabalizer in my motorcycle for the winter and have had no problems with it in the spring!

[Dogg]

Originally posted by theken

never put your car on jack stands when parking, your vehicle doensn't sit on jacks for the summer while u drive it, that can cause damage to your suspension alot worse then having it sit there ever could.

Why is that? I have stored a vehicle on stands, as the nice wheels were removed, and the car sat for 2 years with no ill effects to the suspension. What is supposed to happen? I cannot imagine that shocks, ball joints, idler arms, cv joints or other components will fall apart. However if you have experience with this, please let me know so that I can correct a bad practice.

[TrevorK]

Everyone will have a different opinion on this - for myself I'd just remove the battery (Don't store it on concrete!!). That's what I do for my summer and winter cars...