Long Term Storage Tips - 2 Years
#11
Originally Posted by hondaS2001,Aug 22 2004, 01:56 PM
I didnt mean that someone would sit there and crank it for a few minutes etc etc. I was told that a couple "clicks" of turning the motor over would be beneficial to the piston rings if the car was being stored for quite some time, is this true or did they give bad advice?
Just think about the journey oil must travel for an engine that has been sitting idle for weeks on end, where almost all of that oil has fallen into the oil pan. It must be pumped out of the pump, through the filter, then on to the oiljets, crank journals, upper engine parts. A couple of clicks of the starter motor will barely fill the pipe between the oil pump and the oil filter. This passageway may be partially occupied by oil if left for a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks, but left longer, the oil will most likely seep out. (This is the way I see it. Perhaps someone else will prove me wrong.)
#13
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by xviper,Aug 22 2004, 02:07 PM
When an engine is stored for a long time, there is next to no oil on any of the critical surfaces. Cranking the engine over for a "couple of clicks" may be even far worse than cranking it over for a longer period of time. Not only will there be no oil being pushed to anything, the rings will scrape off whatever film there may be left with little possibility to replenish that film.
Just think about the journey oil must travel for an engine that has been sitting idle for weeks on end, where almost all of that oil has fallen into the oil pan. It must be pumped out of the pump, through the filter, then on to the oiljets, crank journals, upper engine parts. A couple of clicks of the starter motor will barely fill the pipe between the oil pump and the oil filter. This passageway may be partially occupied by oil if left for a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks, but left longer, the oil will most likely seep out. (This is the way I see it. Perhaps someone else will prove me wrong.)
Just think about the journey oil must travel for an engine that has been sitting idle for weeks on end, where almost all of that oil has fallen into the oil pan. It must be pumped out of the pump, through the filter, then on to the oiljets, crank journals, upper engine parts. A couple of clicks of the starter motor will barely fill the pipe between the oil pump and the oil filter. This passageway may be partially occupied by oil if left for a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks, but left longer, the oil will most likely seep out. (This is the way I see it. Perhaps someone else will prove me wrong.)
Mouse traps are a great idea and will be widely implemented.
A question about the top ... I own a hard top but wondered if leaving the soft top retracted for two years would be hard on it (hard top on) ... or should I store it with the soft top up? The soft top will be treated with 303 convertible top treatment either way.
I'll be disposing of the OEM battery before I leave. I'll probably purchase a dry cell before I go, fully charge it and store it above the concrete surface. I understand dry cells will hold their charge for up to 6 years in storage. Either that or I'll just pick up a new battery after I return.
At this point though ... I was a little more interested in specifics dealing with S2000 and long term storage ... as in: is there anything that you need to do "in addition to" or "in lieu of" when storing the S2000?
#14
Originally Posted by slipstream444,Aug 27 2004, 12:27 PM
A question about the top ... I own a hard top but wondered if leaving the soft top retracted for two years would be hard on it (hard top on) ... or should I store it with the soft top up? The soft top will be treated with 303 convertible top treatment either way.
I'd also put bags of moth balls in strategic locations all over the car as a final deterent for those little critters.
#15
Registered User
I recommend spraying ATF into the cylinders, and hand cranking the engine a few revs to ditribute it - it is a tenacious fluid and has lots of silicone in it to guard against corrosion. It is benign - just a puff of white smoke when you start her up.
I also recommend getting some metal screening, making a small bag out of it with a wire tie to secure. Break up a small flower pot, and make 3 bags filled with the debris - one in each exhaust outlet, one in the airbox near the inlet. Varmints will eat through steel wool, but not the grating of ceramic.
I would not have the springs hanging suspended for that long - I would remove the wheels and keep the car on jack stands. The wheels and tires can then be cleaned, and sprayed with 303, and placed in a HD lawn trash bag.
I would keep the recirc button closed, and use dessicant bags available from Mcmaster Carr, Eastwoods, etc. to keep the interior humidity stable.
Clean and condition the seats (remember the cleaning - body salts wreak havoc on fine leather.
Before you re-start, pull the ignition coil supply fuse, and bump the car over to prime the oil.
I would also drain and refill the crankcase with Red Line - the esters will stay on the metal thrugh polar attraction.
I also recommend getting some metal screening, making a small bag out of it with a wire tie to secure. Break up a small flower pot, and make 3 bags filled with the debris - one in each exhaust outlet, one in the airbox near the inlet. Varmints will eat through steel wool, but not the grating of ceramic.
I would not have the springs hanging suspended for that long - I would remove the wheels and keep the car on jack stands. The wheels and tires can then be cleaned, and sprayed with 303, and placed in a HD lawn trash bag.
I would keep the recirc button closed, and use dessicant bags available from Mcmaster Carr, Eastwoods, etc. to keep the interior humidity stable.
Clean and condition the seats (remember the cleaning - body salts wreak havoc on fine leather.
Before you re-start, pull the ignition coil supply fuse, and bump the car over to prime the oil.
I would also drain and refill the crankcase with Red Line - the esters will stay on the metal thrugh polar attraction.
#18
Thread Starter
Fantastic suggestions - thanks Road Rage and Xviper for the more serious approach, and for those keeping it light.
I'm going to hate being away from my little car and hate to store it. But then again, I can't imagine ever getting rid of her either.
With all of the great input, she should be good as new when I get home.
Thanks again.
I'm going to hate being away from my little car and hate to store it. But then again, I can't imagine ever getting rid of her either.
With all of the great input, she should be good as new when I get home.
Thanks again.
#20
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by slalom44,Aug 28 2004, 07:17 AM
Slipstream: Are you in the Armed Services? If so, hats off to you, and I hope you a safe and productive journey.
Thanks.