Long term cerbera storage
Long term cerbera storage
Author
Discussion

drive2tractors

Original Poster:

488 posts

293 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Due to lack of use and time we have decided to put the Cerbie away for a year or so while we complete the Chimaera restoration.
We have plenty of space to store it so we thought we would get a carcoon to ensure it remains well preserved. Are there any sensible procedures to follow before putting away? It has been recently serviced so all fluids are good and clean. We thought that a really good clean and a proper run to remove any condensation. What about tyres? Should they be over inflated or should the wheels come off and be stored horizontaly? Realistically the car will not be moved again until we decide to get it out.
Anyone else done this? Some experienced tips would be welcome!
Ta.
d2t

Edited by drive2tractors on Saturday 25th February 11:28

camel_landy

5,486 posts

212 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Store it on stands to prevent flat spots.

M

scotty_d

6,795 posts

223 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
camel_landy said:
Store it on stands to prevent flat spots.

M
And gives the suspension a break if the rams are fully extended no pressure on them. But this might not stop seals perishing over time and that goes for the engine as well. I would take apart and clean all electrical connectors and pack them with silicone grease. Drain the fuel and i would give the engine a light spray with wd-40 all over.

Tanguero

4,535 posts

230 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
As above - definitely store it up on stands with the wheels off. I would also be tempted to take the plugs out - squirt a teaspoon of engine oil into each cylinder, turn the engine over by hand a couple of times then put the plugs back in. Fill the fuel tank completely and seal under the cap with a couple of layers of nitrile glove (not polythene - petrol molecules go straight through it!) . If you empty the tank it will be full of moist air and have no internal rust protection.

Gazzab

21,637 posts

311 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Mouse traps!

drive2tractors

Original Poster:

488 posts

293 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Tanguero said:
As above - definitely store it up on stands with the wheels off. I would also be tempted to take the plugs out - squirt a teaspoon of engine oil into each cylinder, turn the engine over by hand a couple of times then put the plugs back in. Fill the fuel tank completely and seal under the cap with a couple of layers of nitrile glove (not polythene - petrol molecules go straight through it!) . If you empty the tank it will be full of moist air and have no internal rust protection.
Ok, sounds good. I could even support it under the chassis at a sensible height to get lots of light and air around it. Disconnect the battery or keep it on a trickle?

drive2tractors

Original Poster:

488 posts

293 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
Mouse traps!
Oh yes plenty of those!

drive2tractors

Original Poster:

488 posts

293 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
scotty_d said:
I would take apart and clean all electrical connectors and pack them with silicone grease.
All the electrical system or just the ignition? What about all the modules in the boot, should I disconnect them and store them inside somewhere?

scotty_d

6,795 posts

223 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
drive2tractors said:
scotty_d said:
I would take apart and clean all electrical connectors and pack them with silicone grease.
All the electrical system or just the ignition? What about all the modules in the boot, should I disconnect them and store them inside somewhere?
What ever ones you can get too. I was thinking more in the engine bay where moisture could be. I think the modules should be fine in the boot.

spongy

2,236 posts

190 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Tanks are alloy arnt theyconfusedso no rust issues etc here.

Tanguero

4,535 posts

230 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
spongy said:
Tanks are alloy arnt theyconfusedso no rust issues etc here.
You have a point, however alloy still corrodes when it is thoroughly degreased. Also the fuel line inside the body is steel so it may still be worth considering.

spongy

2,236 posts

190 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
Tanguero said:
You have a point, however alloy still corrodes when it is thoroughly degreased. Also the fuel line inside the body is steel so it may still be worth considering.
yes

esso

1,849 posts

246 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
These cars are best used,if not everything just deteriorates,especially clutch seals,you will find that there will be a lot of re-commisioning required if you take it off the road,if you can i would keep it running on the road.

Byker28i

91,447 posts

246 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
drive2tractors said:
Gazzab said:
Mouse traps!
Oh yes plenty of those!
Milky way is the best bait from my experience. Sweet and sticky, the mice can't resist it, and it's sticky enough that it's not easy to remove from the trap. As they tug it, snap comes the trap. Got ten of the little buggers near my car, and my car drowned the last one in the screen wash when it started nibbling.

John D.

20,990 posts

238 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
quotequote all
esso said:
These cars are best used,if not everything just deteriorates,especially clutch seals,you will find that there will be a lot of re-commisioning required if you take it off the road,if you can i would keep it running on the road.
Indeed. Give it to me and I'll ensure it has regular exercise biggrin