Storing a car

[gonzomania]

My father in law gave my son his 1997 Subaru Outback. I had given him my father's 1993 Chevy Corsica when I purchased the 2003 Cruiser. I want to keep the car for my 15 yr old daughter who gets her permit next Sept. But I have to store it in my back yard. I would like some steps on what & the best way to do it. Any help would be appreciated.[:I]

[CREWZIN]

Gonz,

Next September isn't too far away so you don't really have to do the things for real long term storage. Best to get a good cover for it. Try to get it off the ground, or better yet, uncover it about once a month a take it for a 15 minute drive (on a nice day)to keep things lubricated and moving. You can take the battery out and put a trickle charger to it, but then you'd have to hook it back up to take it for the short spin. My $.02

[bobs turbo pt]

hey gonz, crewzin pretty much covered it, just do what he says and all will be just fine, make sure the anti freeze is good !!

[Hooligan]

Suggest a good washing and a good sealer put on the exterior for weather protection, especially in a area that get snow/rain like I'm sure that you do.

[sca037]

Gonz,

Like Crewzin said, cars like nothing better than to be driven....so if you can make that happen on occasion that'll help a lot. Otherwise, store with a full tank of fuel (less air space for condensation to form), and consider covering the exhaust & intakes then placing mothballs underhood and on the ground to discourage squirrels & like-minded critters from making it a condo complex / jungle gym.

Brian

[gonzomania]

Thanks for the info guys. The car sat for 2 weeks and the battery is dead. Here we go. I'm trying to keep the car in the family because my Dad past awhile ago and it is just hard giving it up. My daughter may even get a paint job out of this. I'm the only one being kind of sentimetal about it though.

[bobs turbo pt]

2 weeks and the battery is dead?? thats seems strange

[Hooligan]

Either the barrery was weak or you have a ground leak. Even with the electronics having to be on a constant draw it should't have lost its charge that fast.

[gonzomania]

Recharging the battery as we speak. Will check it on Friday If not this is the 2nd battery replacement from Pep Boys. Hopefully its not the altenator.

[fritz_t_coyote]

Don't be too quick to count out a 'leak'... My old jeep had an aftermarket stereo that could drain the battery in 2 weeks of non-use.

An inductive ammeter and pulling out fuses one at a time (or without the meter, pulling fuses one at a time and looking for the spark) may help you isolate the power drain.

After figuring out why the battery kept dying, I got in the habit of pulling the fuse for the radio whenever I wasn't going to be using the Jeep for a few days.