Going to be out of the country for up to two years possibly. I followed all the 28 steps from the winter storage guide except I did not do the oil fogger and I did put in fuel stabilizer. Is it absolutely critical to takenout the spark plugs and get some oil in there or is that overkill? Other comments and suggestions welcome.

 

I would do it if I was Anal.

After 2 years I believe the fuel, even with a stabilizer will be bad. This would mean a drain.

 

wow two years? i would leave a little gas there almost empty. that way when you come back you can put new fuel and once you started again it will quickly clear the old fuel and use the new fuel.

 

Bad idea. Condensation will cause rust in the tank. Add stabilizer, run for 10 minutes, shut off and top off the tank. It'll start up just fine after two years. Personally, I would add some oil to the cylinders, not that difficult to do.

 

Our tanks are plastic. There shouldn't be a rust issue.

 

use an upper cylinder lubricant in the fuel tank before you leave. You can find Lucas Upper Cylinder lubricant at most auto stores. Add in about 3-4 ounces, fill up the tank to mix it in, run the car for a bit before the final shut down. Use fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel fresh. The upper cylinder lube will lube parts that come into contact with the air fuel that don't normally get lubed in normal driving. It will leave a lubricant on the cylinder walls, pistons, rings, valves. I use it quite a bit in normal driving so it will work fine in your situation.

I would fill the engine with a high mileage oil, those oils contain esters that help to condition engine seals which would be beneficial in your long storage situation. Most companies make a high mileage oil such as Castrol, Valvoline, Penzoil, Mobil.

 

 

Make sure that no mice can get into it. I parked mine for 10 months and had a basketball sized mouse nest in the trunk. Pretty unsanitary and frustrating.

 

best possible way would be to get someone start and idle the w/ little rev time to time, but if that's not possible, I think you're going the right way. But I wouldn't top off the tank tho.

 

if your really anal get one of these or similar
http://www.carcapsule.com/