I need to store my E 89 Z4 in the garage for approx six months.Without the opportunity of it moving, whats the thoughts of it standing on tyres for that length of time without moving or would it be best on four axle stands of the ground. the battery will be on demand trickle charge and the car will be covered. Any thoughts ?
Z4 Storage
- Thread starter Baza
- Start date
If you fill the tank up, there is hardly any air in the tank. Less air means less condensation of water.
But emptying the tank and fill it up so you don't drive a lot of old gas is also something to be said for.
You could also fill it up with a fuel stabilizer. that stuff works well.
Put the stabilizer in just before you fill up the tank, so you also fill the injectors, pump and lines with stabilized fuel as you drive home.
Especially the injectors are sensitive to gummed up gas.
Also you can drive your car onto styrofoam pads (1" thick or so). That also helps preventing flat spots on the tyres. (and inflating to 3,5 bar or so)
But emptying the tank and fill it up so you don't drive a lot of old gas is also something to be said for.
You could also fill it up with a fuel stabilizer. that stuff works well.
Put the stabilizer in just before you fill up the tank, so you also fill the injectors, pump and lines with stabilized fuel as you drive home.
Especially the injectors are sensitive to gummed up gas.
Also you can drive your car onto styrofoam pads (1" thick or so). That also helps preventing flat spots on the tyres. (and inflating to 3,5 bar or so)
They are completely different cars aren't they – they just share the same model name? I've seen the e85 pretty well including under the hood and I doubt they share even a single major component.Grumpyowl said:
OP I wouldn't worry about it, if there is a problem then just call your breakdown service
If anything just upgrade yours and be worry free, and don't even bother with the trickle charger.I used to store my E89 over winter from end of September to mid March with no problems. I just washed and waxed and ensured the car is fully dry, ensured the garage floor is covered in polythene to help stop rising damp, chock the wheels and leave EPB off. Hook up CTEK charger under bonnet and leave car unlocked. Never bothered over inflating the tyres. Cover the car with cotton sheets to keep dust off. Ensure where its stored that no rodents can get inside as they have a habit during winter of building a nest in the engine bay and eating the wiring etc. I put some old tights over the exhaust tail pipe. Wouldn't worry about the fuel tank. I tend to spray a coat of WD40 over the engine as any damp in the air can oxydise metal parts. Once stored don't be tempted to start the car for 10 minutes just to warm it up.
My M135i is now in storage until next year.
Tim.
My M135i is now in storage until next year.
Tim.
Buy a couple of king sized cotton bed sheets from the cheap shop and have them double stitched together. That covers the car nicely with a breathable cover at a good price!
No need to chock the wheels if on the flat, just leave it in gear or park if auto.
As said , do not start the car but do brim the tank. The amount of degredation to the fuel in minimal and it won't be nearly enough to prevent it starting in the springtime but it will keep any condensation away. My old lawn mower always starts
If for any reason the car is damp when it goes away , leave a fan heater or dehmidifier in the garage for a while with a draught excluded at the bottom of the door.
Then go in the house and don't worry about it for the entire winter.
No need to chock the wheels if on the flat, just leave it in gear or park if auto.
As said , do not start the car but do brim the tank. The amount of degredation to the fuel in minimal and it won't be nearly enough to prevent it starting in the springtime but it will keep any condensation away. My old lawn mower always starts
If for any reason the car is damp when it goes away , leave a fan heater or dehmidifier in the garage for a while with a draught excluded at the bottom of the door.
Then go in the house and don't worry about it for the entire winter.
I still think too much thought it being put into this, it's not a classic car.
Leave the car in the garage (or even outside) and do nothing.
After 6 months start the car, if the car doesn't start call AA/rac/greenflag whatever.
Once started then you can take the car to the petrol station to fill up and check tyre pressure.
Leave the car in the garage (or even outside) and do nothing.
After 6 months start the car, if the car doesn't start call AA/rac/greenflag whatever.
Once started then you can take the car to the petrol station to fill up and check tyre pressure.
ronk said:Buy a couple of king sized cotton bed sheets from the cheap shop and have them double stitched together. That covers the car nicely with a breathable cover at a good price!
No need to chock the wheels if on the flat, just leave it in gear or park if auto.
As said , do not start the car but do brim the tank. The amount of degredation to the fuel in minimal and it won't be nearly enough to prevent it starting in the springtime but it will keep any condensation away. My old lawn mower always starts
If for any reason the car is damp when it goes away , leave a fan heater or dehmidifier in the garage for a while with a draught excluded at the bottom of the door.
Then go in the house and don't worry about it for the entire winter.
Do you still need to worry about the fuel Ronk as would think the tank is made of plastic these days?
Tim.
It not so much the rust that is a problem (like it used to be), but the more water you get in your tank, it can eventually be sucked up if the tank is emptied beyond what's good.
If you store a car over longer time you mostly see people keeping the windows ajar to prevent mildew in the interior.
Or maybe you can leave 1 or 2 dehumidifier bags (with the silica gel) in the interior, like these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pingi-Mini-Moisture-Absorber-Dehumidifier-Bag-For-Small-Areas-150g-/271013556657
If you store a car over longer time you mostly see people keeping the windows ajar to prevent mildew in the interior.
Or maybe you can leave 1 or 2 dehumidifier bags (with the silica gel) in the interior, like these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pingi-Mini-Moisture-Absorber-Dehumidifier-Bag-For-Small-Areas-150g-/271013556657
Condensation from watervapour in the air trapped inside.
The less air trapped inside, the less watervapour is there to condensate when the temperature drops.
It's not much but it happens. Every fueltank has some water at the bottom I think.
Maybe more air also has an effect on aging of the fuel (more oxygen present to react with certain chemicals).
That said I never fill my tank up and store it away for the winter. I drive it occasionally in wintertimes when the weather is nice but probably use less than (or about) a tank of fuel during the winterseason.
I even don't use a trickle charger because my garage doesnt have any electricity. (So a little drive now and then is also necessary to keep the battery from dying...)
The less air trapped inside, the less watervapour is there to condensate when the temperature drops.
It's not much but it happens. Every fueltank has some water at the bottom I think.
Maybe more air also has an effect on aging of the fuel (more oxygen present to react with certain chemicals).
That said I never fill my tank up and store it away for the winter. I drive it occasionally in wintertimes when the weather is nice but probably use less than (or about) a tank of fuel during the winterseason.
I even don't use a trickle charger because my garage doesnt have any electricity. (So a little drive now and then is also necessary to keep the battery from dying...)
