General Sorn

[Eklipze3k]

Getting a new car and putting the Sei off the road for a few months. Over winter it won't be getting anything done to it and will be left outside but with a cover over it. I'm going to chock the wheels and leave the handbrake off, anything else in particular I should do to stop things getting seized or whatever?

 

[fingers99]

For a few months it should be OK. I'd be inclined to take the battery inside. Make sure the anti-freeze is up to strength.

 

[David C]

I was about to say the same about the battery.
and yes, make sure the coolant is ok.

 

[craigb244]

go to halfords they sell this stuff that preserves petrol... put some of that in the tank and make sure you drive the car for a couple of miles to make sure its well mixed in.

it will protect the fuel pump/injector(s) and stop you coming back to a car which has a tank full of varnish rather then petrol

 

[arc]

I thought about doing that when I took my Cinq off the road, but never got round to it. The fuel sat in the tank for 12 months and was fine.

Before putting the cover, wash the car to ensure that the cover doesn't rub dirt in and scratch the paint. But let it dry properly first.

I'd be tempted to stick these in (my car smelt a bit musty after a while)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECHARGEABLE-MOISTURE-ABSORBING-DEHUMIDIFIER-TWIN-PACK-/330576707833

 

[craigb244]

true ever never left a car long enough to bother.

but I know on a bike... leaving it for more then a month with fuel in the tank is asking for a whole world of pain.

I guess cars have a larger and better sealed tank and are happy to run on fuel with a lower flammability

 

[Eklipze3k]

Ahh yes, battery - I did think about that Thanks for all the suggestions, I'd left it before for about 6 months when I was unemployed and had no problem with the fuel.

 

[David C]

The Petrol will be fine.
I hadn't used my Alfa 156 much this year and ended up with Petrol that was 5-months old.
No problem at all.

 

[Ouby]

I'd be tempted to stick these in (my car smelt a bit musty after a while)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECHARGEABLE-MOISTURE-ABSORBING-DEHUMIDIFIER-TWIN-PACK-/330576707833

Or if you own a moggy? Tray of cat litter will do the job.
Just make sure the cat doesn't get in the car, or you will regret it next spring :yuck:

 

[Eklipze3k]

^^That made me lol

 

[dave]

dont put a cover over it worst thing you can do. just wax it and leave it to breathe, covers just keep in humidity.
i'd leave the battery in and run engine once a week with heater on to stop inside going mouldy.

 

[fingers99]

But it's down to discipline, really. You'd probably have to run it for half an hour each week.

You can buy silica gel sachets off eBay very cheaply. Easier to re-use if you don't have a cat! (Although cat litter is great for oil spills.)

 

[craigk]

i think with bikes its because most of them have metal tanks and they start to rust resulting in a load of dirt in the carb :bang:

 

[Hellcat]

Tipo was in the garage for almost 2 years. Only thing that suffered was the battery, and possibly the shocks. I say the shocks because I think they may have got surface rust or really baked on dirt and then when I've used it I've forgotten to clean them and I think it's done the seals no good.

A couple of bed sheets over the top will stop dust and dirt sticking onto the paintwork. Make sure the tyres are well inflated. If the car is staying there ages consider taking the brakes apart and storing the pads in the car, and oiling the discs.

 

[blu73]

petrol will defo be fine for a few months no problem.. As Dave said, i wouldn't bother with a cover unless its gonna get covered in crap - i got one for the merc only because the only place i have to park it is under a tree..

A little trick from my classic VeeDub days is to get some nice big chunky bits of dry wood and place then under the car - make sure they are not close enough to the edges to get wet in rain etc. They will absorb moisture away from the bottom of the car.. Come summer you can put them somewhere sunny so they are properly dry for next year

Also, check your tyre pressures aren't low to prevent them flat-spotting.. You could even stick some steelies on it while it stands but i don't think a few months warrants that really.