starting a car in storage.

[Robert Elise]

An old topic: to run up to temperature every few weeks or not....
i have a modern car in a carcoon for 4 winter months.
So, on the one hand modern cars can be best just left alone, on the other hand i feel an occasional warm up is beneficial, not least to the AC system.
Having read many threads on this topic i've decided on the following plan:
- start the car every 5 weeks
- warm up the carcoon first, mostly to ensure that the AC will work
- after initial start, rev at near 2k
- after 5 mins increase to 2-3k
- keep the car running for at least 40 mins to ensure fully warm. switching between idle and medium revs
- use all the pedals (i roll tyres every 2 weeks anyway)

Any comments???
I presume AC seals would dry out less in winter anyway? But to fix a dried out broken AC system is often v.expensive.

[PositronicRay]

Unless you drive it and warm it up properly I think it's pretty pointless IMO. It may even do more harm than good, condensation in the exhaust and revving the engine with no load.
I wouldn't even rotate the tyres, just over inflate them. (don't do what I did though and forget to reset the pressure, first drive after hibernation and I thought the handling a bit skittish)

[Robert Elise]

PositronicRay said:

Unless you drive it and warm it up properly I think it's pretty pointless IMO. It may even do more harm than good, condensation in the exhaust and revving the engine with no load.
I wouldn't even rotate the tyres, just over inflate them. (don't do what I did though and forget to reset the pressure, first drive after hibernation and I thought the handling a bit skittish)

rotating the tyres is easy enough for me, i just roll a few inches back then a few inches forward next time. They're also over inflated and on mats.
The temp reached 80 deg after 20 mins, so i hope the exhaust was warming up nicely for the next 20mins, the exhaust tip was hot after 25 mins (rear engine).
The whole issue is a compromise as some components love use and others will suffer with cold starts or no load warming. At 5 weeks i'm seeking a balance as that's just 2 starts all winter. Garage is snowed in for winter, so this car's going nowhere!

[andyiley]

I know it is not the same car, but it is A/C equiped, which you specifically mention.

2 years ago I had to lay up my e36 328 for just over a year due to reasons various.

All I did was to put wooden blocks under the lower suspension joints to stop the weight of the car going on the tyres if/when they deflated.

After 13 months the car (jump) started first poke & there were no ill effects at all.

[Jimmyarm]

Unless it is something that devalues with every mile you drive it, just bloody drive it for ten miles or so every two or three weeks.

It is meant to be driven not sat around doing nothing.

Use a set of storage wheels and tyres to preserve your normal set if you must.

Disconnect the battery if you can be bothered.

What is it ?

[BritishRacinGrin]

Agree with all of the above, just let it sleep or ideally wait until there's a heavy rain which then dries and take it out before the gritters come out.

[steveo3002]

i wouldnt run it up, dont think its helping a great deal with the engine under no load and damp collecting in the exhaust

maybe turn the engine over with a spanner once in a while , but a few months is nothing at all, especialy in the cocoon thingy

[Bessacarr]

You would need to get the oil hot to dry out the moisture content and you wont get the oil hot without driving the car under load.

I have 8 cars in long term storage and we dont start them unless they can be driven

[Robert Elise]

OK, i hear you, 100% for leave it!
The car is trapped in the alps, so will emerge in March after the thaw and first rains to wash the salt off the road.
I had the exhaust tip hot and water temp over 80 for over 20 mins, so i hoped i'd done a good job even with no load.