moth balls ?

jonela · 25-08-2017, 18:36

Hi Guys, back again after a long absence lol.
I have now had this Terrano (my second) for five years,and in that time I have had virtually trouble free motoring, apart from the starter motor going.
But now there are so many problems looming (Rust , drop links, handbrake cables, tyres,alarm and key codes,sunroof,and the list go's on) That I have decided because I am too tight to pay to have it repaired by a garage and I haven't got the time to do it myself, The car will soon be no longer a viable road going vehicle.
But I want to keep her for some time in the future when I do have the time.
So I am going to store her in my friends Barn. Bearing in mind it could be there for 2-5 years before I am fully retired and have time to do things.
what would you recommend I do to prevent any further deterioration while stored.

solarman216 · 26-08-2017, 00:38

2 to 5 years storage, no way forget the idea, use it or lose it is the rule, Rick

macabethiel · 26-08-2017, 10:44

The trouble with a 2-5 year storage is that things that are OK now will also fail.

Oil seals will shrink as they dry out, shock absorbers will rust as will discs and the clutch if it is manual will stick. Valves that are open will end up with rusting seats from atmospheric moisture.

Obviously the tyres will flat spot and if you put her on blocks the tyres will deteriorate anyway. Water pump will seize or seals pack in. The radiator water will start to separate out silting at the bottom rusting at the top. Interior will rot or get bug infested. Mice love chewing up car interiors and wiring looms. Electrical connections will corrode, electical solenoids and sensors will fail etc ets. Paint will fade, rust pimples from condensation.

When I was in the car trade back in the 1970s we had new cars that were fully waxed but had stood in a field for 6-18 months due to the first miners strike (New Audis & Opels). The bird droppings would eat right through the wax and paintwork causing rust scabbing. Most had to have new discs & brake drums together with shock absorbers before we could retail them. Many failed the first MoT due to sills rotting out etc.

You read about Barn finds that get restored but they are the few not the majority. You can slow some of the deterioration down using things like a Vehicle Cocoon with a dehumidifier attached that needs electricity and is not cheap.

I would just let go perhaps buy another when you retire. With the drive to electric vehicles used diesels are going to get plentiful and cheap.

terranosaurusdoug · 26-08-2017, 12:14

If your friends barn is on a bit of private land just start her up and take her for a spin every few months, only thing I'd be worried about is the fuel ie does it "go off" ?

macabethiel · 26-08-2017, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by terranosaurusdoug

If your friends barn is on a bit of private land just start her up and take her for a spin every few months, only thing I'd be worried about is the fuel ie does it "go off" ?

If it's Petrol you get a sort of skin forms as it evaporates. When I used to lay up my Motorcycle for winter I ended up with pin prick leaks in the fuel tank and the carb would need stripping. After replacing the tank I used Wynns Dry Fuel.

Not sure if Diesel gets the Diesel Bug growing as well.

terranosaurusdoug · 26-08-2017, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by macabethiel

If it's Petrol you get a sort of skin forms as it evaporates. When I used to lay up my Motorcycle for winter I ended up with pin prick leaks in the fuel tank and the carb would need stripping. After replacing the tank I used Wynns Dry Fuel.

Not sure if Diesel gets the Diesel Bug growing as well.

Ah yeh the carbs glaze if dried out enough don't they?
Diesel bug, he'll have to keep it away from those filthy boats

25-08-2017, 18:36	#1
jonela Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chateaunef du Faou, France Vehicle: 2000 LWB SE+ Posts: 906	moth balls ? Hi Guys, back again after a long absence lol. I have now had this Terrano (my second) for five years,and in that time I have had virtually trouble free motoring, apart from the starter motor going. But now there are so many problems looming (Rust , drop links, handbrake cables, tyres,alarm and key codes,sunroof,and the list go's on) That I have decided because I am too tight to pay to have it repaired by a garage and I haven't got the time to do it myself, The car will soon be no longer a viable road going vehicle. But I want to keep her for some time in the future when I do have the time. So I am going to store her in my friends Barn. Bearing in mind it could be there for 2-5 years before I am fully retired and have time to do things. what would you recommend I do to prevent any further deterioration while stored.

26-08-2017, 00:38	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	2 to 5 years storage, no way forget the idea, use it or lose it is the rule, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

26-08-2017, 10:44	#3
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	As has been said just get rid standing ages worse that driving. The trouble with a 2-5 year storage is that things that are OK now will also fail. Oil seals will shrink as they dry out, shock absorbers will rust as will discs and the clutch if it is manual will stick. Valves that are open will end up with rusting seats from atmospheric moisture. Obviously the tyres will flat spot and if you put her on blocks the tyres will deteriorate anyway. Water pump will seize or seals pack in. The radiator water will start to separate out silting at the bottom rusting at the top. Interior will rot or get bug infested. Mice love chewing up car interiors and wiring looms. Electrical connections will corrode, electical solenoids and sensors will fail etc ets. Paint will fade, rust pimples from condensation. When I was in the car trade back in the 1970s we had new cars that were fully waxed but had stood in a field for 6-18 months due to the first miners strike (New Audis & Opels). The bird droppings would eat right through the wax and paintwork causing rust scabbing. Most had to have new discs & brake drums together with shock absorbers before we could retail them. Many failed the first MoT due to sills rotting out etc. You read about Barn finds that get restored but they are the few not the majority. You can slow some of the deterioration down using things like a Vehicle Cocoon with a dehumidifier attached that needs electricity and is not cheap. I would just let go perhaps buy another when you retire. With the drive to electric vehicles used diesels are going to get plentiful and cheap.

26-08-2017, 12:14	#4
terranosaurusdoug Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Yorkshire, J33 M62 Vehicle: 2000 Terrano lwb 2.7TDI Posts: 5,500	If your friends barn is on a bit of private land just start her up and take her for a spin every few months, only thing I'd be worried about is the fuel ie does it "go off" ?