E46 Long term storage advice

[kilotango]

hey fellas

i've emigrated for work recently. i've put in a crap tonne of cash into maintaining my E46 330Ci auto, and the resale values just dont seem to be worth selling it at the moment. im thinking of just parking it for a while until i can make a proper plan.

i need some advice on long term storage.. for now i've had it parked on the ground for the last 3 months with the battery disconnected. i havent started it yet, but will charge the battery today and crank it this afternoon.

i might not be back for another 4-6 months.. but im thinking of putting it on jackstands, getting a proper cover, and then putting rat poison around to keep the rodents away.

depending how things go later on, i might have to take a hit and sell..but im trying to plan for the next year or so while im away. any advice would be appreciated.

[Rotinaj]

(13-02-2019 08:38 AM)kilotango Wrote:  hey fellas

i've emigrated for work recently. i've put in a crap tonne of cash into maintaining my E46 330Ci auto, and the resale values just dont seem to be worth selling it at the moment. im thinking of just parking it for a while until i can make a proper plan.

i need some advice on long term storage.. for now i've had it parked on the ground for the last 3 months with the battery disconnected. i havent started it yet, but will charge the battery today and crank it this afternoon.

i might not be back for another 4-6 months.. but im thinking of putting it on jackstands, getting a proper cover, and then putting rat poison around to keep the rodents away.

depending how things go later on, i might have to take a hit and sell..but im trying to plan for the next year or so while im away. any advice would be appreciated.

Axle stands is good, flush the brake system before putting away, refresh all cooling fluids, change oil. Car cover is good, but get a decent lined one they are around 3k, not the generic rubbish. Wash and seal your roof. Remove battery from car.

Rat poison near the car might just attract rats into it and have them die in the car.

[individj]

i must be honest...if it were me and it were 4 months..id fill the tank and do axle stands and disconnect battery.

[KPM_330]

Had mine parked off for almost 8 months when I went away to London... What I did:

- Brimmed the tank
- Disconnected the battery
- Popped in a dehumidifier on the passenger floor
- Jacked up the car and secured it with 4 jack stands
- Covered with a car cover (car was in my garage)

Got back, lowered the car and connected everything, then started on the first try.. I had all the fluids changed a short while later.

If you want to use rat poison, I suggest you find a place a distance away from the car and leave it there. As mentioned, the rat poison will attract the rats.. Just keep all windows closed and make sure all engine covers are in place.

[husaindindar]

It will be wise to have someone turn the engine over every few weeks. Maybe 2 or so.

Reason I say so is:
There's a condition known as False Brinelling that occurs mainly due to seismic vibrations of the earth which separates the oil layer around the bearing metal components.
After a while the bearing rests metal on metal that causes bearing damage because the oil layer (hydro dynamic layer) gets forced out.

[Rotinaj]

(13-02-2019 10:22 AM)husaindindar Wrote:  It will be wise to have someone turn the engine over every few weeks. Maybe 2 or so.

Reason I say so is:
There's a condition known as False Brinelling that occurs mainly due to seismic vibrations of the earth which separates the oil layer around the bearing metal components.
After a while the bearing rests metal on metal that causes bearing damage because the oil layer (hydro dynamic layer) gets forced out.

Ideally. you pull the ignition fuse and just crank the car without spark if you wanna mitigate that kinda damage to the engine.

[Dirtydeedsman]

Ideally, you can put the car on a truck, send to me in Johannesburg and I will make sure it is kept safe while you are away....

I would be more than happy to pick it up in Musina.

Yellow plates = no fixed camera speeding fines

[ecKARd]

Just a thought but will adding octane booster/fuel stabilizer not help with the gas going bad?

[Crash_Nemesis]

Everything above that was said is sound advice. I am in and out the country for months at a time and my M3 sits in a garage with a cover, disconnected battery and on jack stands. My last stint was in the USA from June until December. When I get back, I am greeted by a car that is protected from dust and other elements, it is clean and starts first time once the battery is connected.

Regarding the use of jack stands, they are a good idea. My first long trip away saw me never having the car on jack stands, and I came back to find all four tires deflated. After filling them up, they would slowly deflate again over a week, so my guess is they were all damaged from the weight of the car just sitting on them. Unfortunate lesson.

Good luck and safe travels.

[MSLVIN003]

I still have space in my garage for two more cars.

Drop it by me, it will join my 330Ci which hasn't moved in 3 weeks,
I must take it for a drive this weekend to keep the battery charged.